On Chinese social media, Singapore elections amuse and confuse
- Weibo users are obsessed with the Lee family but bemused by the need for democracy in a ‘Chinese nation’
- No matter the outcome this week, Singapore’s leaders will need to find a path that serves the national interests while keeping Beijing onside
• Singapore is efficient and corruption-free – usually said with a note of envy.
• Singapore is what it is today because of former leader Lee Kuan Yew.
• Singapore is run by the Lee family.
• Singapore is predominantly ethnic Chinese.
• China learned a great deal from Singapore during the country’s reform and opening-up process.
• Former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping admired Singapore, especially the island’s pursuit of economic success while maintaining a tight grip on politics.
• Singapore is a one-party state and tolerates no dissent.
Popular books about Singapore sold in China in recent years include Lee Kuan Yew: A Great Man from a Small Country and several versions of Lee biographies by Chinese authors.
At an academic level, the Centre for Singapore Studies has been established at Shenzhen University, Xiamen University, Guangxi University and Jiangxi’s Gannan Normal University.
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Apart from conducting research into Singapore’s foreign affairs and efforts in tackling corruption and fighting terrorism and extremism, these institutes examine Singapore’s water policies, public administration, social and urban management, vocational training and the cultural identities of Singaporean Chinese.
One user expressed amazement that Singapore conducts elections, asking: “Isn’t there a saying that in predominantly Chinese societies it is not wise to engage in the backward practices of the West? Look, Taiwan elections are in a mess.”
Another asked whether the next Prime Minister of Singapore will be a “Lee”. Another user responded: “No, it will be a ‘Wang’” – referring to the Chinese rendering of Heng Swee Keat, the deputy prime minister and Lee’s designated successor. In turn, users piled on in surprise, demanding to know: “Why is it not a Lee?”
The fascination among Chinese with the Lee family is impossible to miss. Singapore’s official name in Chinese is “Xin Jia Po” but many Chinese refer to it instead as “Li Jia Po”, emphasising the Lee family’s importance. For example, they might ask: “Isn’t this Li Jia Po? Why is there the need to canvass votes?”
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Another asked why an election was needed given “the results and outcomes are always the same”.
Yet another noted: “Ordinary people have the vote, yet Singapore politics is not messy like in the West. Perfect!”
The general lack of understanding about what makes Singapore tick and the hard issues faced during an election campaign should not come as a surprise. After all, Singapore is a small country and ordinary Chinese are generally better informed about countries that more significantly impact their own, such as the US, Japan and India.
These discussions usually centre on Singapore’s pro-US stance and the perceived attempt to use the US as a counterweight to China’s influence in the region. Such discussions are often critical, suggesting Singapore, as a predominantly ethnic Chinese country, should be careful of inching closer to the Western camp and instead remember which side its bread gets buttered. Sometimes there is even a warning – or a threat – of repercussions and punitive measures against Singapore for not siding with China.
Fundamentally, many in China regard Singapore as a Chinese nation that should therefore understand and support Beijing’s policies.
Whatever happens in Singapore’s upcoming elections, the country’s leaders will need to manage this ongoing balancing act, pursuing their own country’s national interests without jeopardising the goodwill with Beijing that accompanies a shared lineage.