Xinmin Sec SS Forum 2010 Class 303

1. Singapore- Diplomacy Lin Rui(10), Sakina(13), Eunice (19) of Class 303

2. Definition of Diplomacy The way in which countries manage or conduct relations with one another It’s main aim is to promote common interests and to resolve conflicting interests in a peaceful manner. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev at the 17th APEC Summit on 14 Nov 2009, together with PM Lee and his wife.

3. Bilateral Relation Examples of Singapore’s participation Singapore- Brunei Singapore- China Concluding Statement (Benefits)

4. BILATERAL RELATION Just like how one needs a best friend, there is a need for Singapore to develop intimate ties with individual countries to enlist their full support in areas related to politics, economic, or culture.

5. BILATERAL RELATION-SINGAPORE-BRUNEI Brunei Dollar is pegged to the Singapore Dollar since 1967. Singapore currency is accepted in Brunei for day to day trading and vice versa. August 2005: Brunei's Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister, Prince Mohamed Bolkiah arrived in Singapore to sign an agreement eliminating double taxation This paves the way for further bilateral trade and investment. The Royal Brunei Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy conduct an annual Exercise Pelican Signifies strong ties between the two navies.

6. BILATERAL RELATION- SINGAPORE-CHINA 20 Years of Diplomatic Ties! Singapore is the 7th largest trading partner & 4th largest investor of China High Level Meetings 7th Meeting of China-Singapore Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation 12th China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park Joint Steering Council Meeting 3rd China-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City Joint Steering Council Meeting

7. BILATERAL RELATION- SINGAPORE-CHINA Chinese enterprises establish branches in Singapore. Singapore has become a prime destination for Chinese tourists. In 1999, Singapore received a record 373,000 Chinese tourists, the fourth largest source of visitor arrivals after Japan, Australia, and U.K. Deng Xiaoping, “Singapore had achieved successful economic development along with a high degree of social order.” China had organized "observation tours" to Singapore to study Singapore's development experiences. Increasing no. of Chinese Immigrants

8. BILATERAL RELATION-BENEFITS Singapore has a deep understanding of its neighboring countries in SEA, and also the operational knowledge of western countries(which China lacks). It also has intimate relationship with countries in SEA. With Singapore’s extensive knowledge on world matters, they help other countries in other regions. This aligns to the interests of both sides, and the world recognizes our ability, thus earning us respect and recognition. The help that bilateral countries offer us also speeds up social and economical development. Long-standing friendship and close ties with international parties generates a better relationship, and thus makes communication and future plans easier to carry out.

9. Regional Relation Examples of Singapore’s participation ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Singapore and ASEAN – Education and professional exchange These participations have enabled Singapore’s economy to improve, cultivate more talents and allow Singapore to become a much safer country.

10. REGIONAL RELATION Region relations combines the strengths of member countries, enabling the association to become stronger. Thus, the countries would be in a better position when dealing with other countries or associations.

11. REGIONAL RELATION- ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) SEA attracts foreign investors as it is politically stable and economically vibrant for investments. However, countries like China and India are competing with SEA, causing the economy in SEA to drop. AFTA is set up to remove import taxes among Southeast Asian countries. This attracts more investors to Singapore, which boost the Singapore’s economy.

12. REGIONAL RELATION- ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) ARF was created to maintain peace by promoting political and security dialogue and cooperation among the countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Through these forums, ASEAN aims to provide an avenue for countries in the region to discuss security issues and resolve conflicts peacefully. Participants include China, Japan, North Korea, India, New Zealand, Australia, USA & Canada

13. REGIONAL RELATION- Singapore and ASEAN-Education and professional exchange One of Singapore’s contributions to ASEAN is technical knowledge and expertise for member countries. For example, Singapore has provided technical training to 1700 officials from Laos since 1993. Singapore also offers scholarships to students of ASEAN countries under the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP). This scholarships enable the students to study courses offered in our local universities.

14. REGIONAL RELATION- BENEFITS AFTA Singapore is able to boost her economy by attracting more foreign investors. ARF Singapore is made to be a safer country. Singapore and ASEAN- Education and professional exchange Singapore gets to learn more skills through the exchange and is also able to cultivate more talents to serve the country in the future.

15. International Relation Examples of Singapore’s participation Played an important role in the Law of Sea Conference Elected by the UN General Assembly to serve as a non-permanent Security Council Involved in UN’s peacekeeping efforts since 1989 Concluding Statement (Benefits)

16. INTERNATIONAL RELATION It is important as it involves ties among many countries and groupings around the world, the ties formed can be useful for a small country like Singapore in cases of emergency when we need help.

17. INTERNATIONAL RELATION- UN Law of the Sea Played an important part in the UN law of the sea conference Organised to decide on the territorial rights of a country over its waters Professor Tommy Koh was president of the Third UN Conference on the Law of the Sea from 1980 to 1982.

19. Main role: maintain international peace and security.

20. Security council includes 5 permanent members and 10 rotating members.

21. 5 permanent members: United States, the United Kingdom, France, China and Russia.

23. INTERNATIONAL RELATION-BENEFITS The admission a UN member allowed Singapore to gain recognition as a sovereign state. Upon membership, UN assisted Singapore by sending experts to advise and help in the economic and social development of the country. Enabled us to forge relationships with many nations and we can collect valuable information from them.

24. INTERNATIONAL RELATION-BENEFITS continued… Ties with many countries assures help from these friends in times of crisis. Terrorists may not want to attack Singapore as we have powerful countries backing us. Gain experience and exposure especially for army personnel upon posting to various countries. Eg. Learning of social habits

25. Best Diplomacy Method INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

26. Reason Within a region, regardless of how close the countries are with one another, disputes would still take place within countries that share common interests. For example, Malaysia has several long-standing disputes with Singapore over issues like water distribution, maritime boundaries and shifting of immigration checkpoints. Needless to say, each party involved would strive to place itself in a more advantageous situation. In this increasingly globalised world, it is impractical to focus solely on regional relations. E.g. China obtains minerals from Australia although they are not in the same region.

27. Reason (Continued) In case of a crisis, regional countries can offer more practical support and help is readily offered. However, being a disaster-free country, what Singapore requires for its survival and success is peace and stability. Existing as a little red dot on the map, we are susceptible to external threats like terrorism. Since we don’t have to worry about the defects brought about by non- existing natural disasters in our country, Singapore has the privilege to focus more on upgrading its society, security and defence, and obtaining resources which she lacks.

28. Reason (Continued) International relations play a value-added role to Singapore’s growth by providing a larger range of options and opinions. Ideally, she should expose herself more to gain knowledge and not only confine herself to between 2 countries or within a region. Singapore can milk the benefits of their close relationship with other countries by forging bilateral relations betweem them, but there is a limited amount of information that can be exchanged between the 2.

29. Acknowledgements Google http://www.ocra.com/offices/brunei.asp http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_relations_of_Singapore http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90776/90883/7078993.html http://www.singapore-china.org/profile/selected2.shtml http://newsdawn.blogspot.com/2010/01/singapore-china-relations-will-continue.html 3E Social Studies Textbook