Singapore can assert new source of soft power in culture and creativity

SINGAPORE'S year-long commemoration of the 200th anniversary of Sir Stamford Raffles' arrival on the island has been, as would be expected, carefully planned and well executed. The bicentennial has been primarily aimed at the domestic audience to provide an opportunity to reflect and celebrate the country's remarkable history. But dig a little below the surface and the lessons of this past can also be used to expand Singapore's positive influence in the world.

This influence is, of course, already considerable. The newly published 2019 Soft Power 30 index, an authoritative annual study assessing the global appeal of leading countries through analysis and global polling, puts Singapore in 21st place. It is an extraordinary performance for a nation of under six million people.

This position is, however, the same as in 2018 and one place lower than the year before - and it comes after a period in which Singapore has found itself firmly in the global limelight: From the successful hosting of the Trump-Kim summit, the conclusion of Singapore's well-received Asean chairmanship, the head-turning relocation of high-end consumer brand Dyson to the box-office triumph of Crazy Rich Asians, the Lion City has rarely had so many positive global headlines in such a short span of time. With such high-profile and good publicity, the team putting together the Soft Power 30 expected to see a jump in Singapore's standing this year.