Singapore Is Determined To Be A Master Of Its Own Destiny

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that Singapore is determined to be a master of its own destiny in a world where power often determines which countries prevail and set the agenda.

He was delivering the annual S Rajaratnam lecture organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"Our foreign policy is a balance between realism and idealism," he said.

"We know we have to take the world as it is and not as we would wish it to be. But we believe that we can and must defend ourselves and advance our interests."

Singapore's foreign policy is vital in securing Singapore's place in the world. If Singapore wants to remain relevant on the international stage, it must continue to succeed as a country.

"A failed state cannot have an effective foreign policy," he said.

Singapore “cannot be everywhere” in the international arena as it is a small state. But PM Lee stressed that Singapore has to be present for key forums and on key issues, such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, as “our interests are at stake”.

 Excerpt of PM Lee Hsien Loong's speech at the 8th S Rajaratnam Lecture, 27 Nov 2015

Small countries like us have to constantly to ask ourselves: how can we ensure that we survive, and keep our place in the sun?
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We are determined to be masters of our own destiny. Our foreign policy is a balance between realism and idealism. We know we have to take the world as it is and not as we would wish it to be. But we believe that we can and must defend ourselves and advance our interests.

Of course we have to be clear what our fundamental interests are and these have not changed in 50 years – to have peace in the world; to have an international order where countries respect and abide by international law; to establish a network of friends and allies whom we can work with; to have a stable and secure Asia-Pacific region, especially Southeast Asia; and ultimately, to preserve our sovereignty, and our right to determine our future.

How can Singapore advance these national interests?

I offer you another old Chinese saying – the Chinese have solved all these problems long ago. This is from the Confucian classic "Great Learning" – 修身齐家治国平天下 - one must first cultivate one's own person, then regulate one's family, then order well one's state, then only can one make the whole kingdom "天下" – all under heaven – tranquil and happy. This is the Confucian view of government, and it is deep in the Chinese psyche. That there is a direct link from the virtue of the individual, to the family, to the larger society and to universal harmony. Singapore is a modern society, but we have tried hard to maintain traditional values that are relevant to us and this piece is a timeless piece of wisdom that neatly encapsulates how we can think about advancing our interests internationally. A successful foreign policy is founded on what we do domestically in Singapore and we must first put our home in order, then our external relations can prosper.

Let me elaborate on this starting from the outside. First, internationally, we have to be an active and constructive player, seeking to add value and making ourselves relevant to other countries. Secondly, in our own region, we have to make common cause with our neighbours. Thirdly, Singapore must continue to succeed as a nation, to wield any influence abroad. Fourthly, Singapore’s success, whether externally or domestically, depends on our staying united as one people, firm in our conviction that Singapore will endure and prevail.

Full transcript of speech here: http://bit.ly/1LF2HuY

Advancing Singapore's Interests By Playing An Active And Constructive Role In The International Arena

Making common cause with others:

".....we make common cause with others, in particular with other small states. Individually, our voice may be weak, but collectively, our voices will be amplified and we can make ourselves heard.

That is why at the UN, we set up the Forum of Small States (FOSS). ........ We put together under FOSS, countries under 10 million. It is an informal group, but there are 105 members of FOSS all over the world. We meet together, we discuss, we foster common positions on issues, and we share experiences and strategies.........Another one that we have set up is called the Global Governance Group. An informal coalition, this time 30 small- and medium-sized states formed to exchange views on global governance. What does that mean? That means financial rules, that means IMF world bank, economic policies, so as to feed them into the G20 processes, to render the G20 a more inclusive, transparent and representative grouping. So the first thing to make ourselves heard is to make common cause with others." - PM Lee Hsien Loong

Excerpt of speech at 8th S Rajaratnam Lecture 27 Nov 2015

What The Government Does To Advance Singapore's Interests
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..Becoming part of the Maritime Silk Road; Becoming an observer on the Arctic Council.

By constantly "looking ahead to anticipate developments, to position ourselves, to protect our interests, whichever way events may break. It is particularly important in these uncertain times where you cannot predict which way things will go, and you must prepare for multiple eventualities.

For example, we are embarking on the third Government-to-Government (G-to-G) project with China in Chongqing. This will position us at one end of China's "One Belt, One Road" project.

Now, Singapore is part of the "belt", which is the Silk Route going through Eurasia, out of China and we are also part of the "road" – the Maritime Silk Road passing through Southeast Asia. It is a valuable position to be in.

Another example, we joined the Arctic Council as an observer to find out what may happen when the northern sea-route becomes viable as the Arctic ice melts............Sam Tan who is our Envoy, who has worked very hard and has made many friends in the Arctic Circle, on the Arctic Council. It is relevant to us. It will not happen tomorrow. It may come to pass or it may not. But it probably will, and if it does, we will be there. These are small bets to hedge our position."

Excerpt of PM Lee Hsien Loong's speech at the 8th S Rajaratnam Lecture, 27 Nov 2015

http://www.pmo.gov.sg/mediacentre/pm-lee-hsien-loong-8th-s-rajaratnam-lecture-27-november-2015