Surviving the war of narratives about Singapore
The city-state remains a target for hostile foreign influence and possibly eventual intervention. Only the collective memories, shared energies of citizens can fight the war.
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AN international battle of narratives has erupted over Singapore. How citizens read those narratives and act on them will have a profound effect on this country's economic and political future.
A recent study, by the Institute for Strategic Research at France's Military School, draws attention to Chinese influence operations internationally, including in Singapore.
The study says that the main elements of Beijing's narrative influence here are that Singapore is a Chinese country which is a part of "greater China" and should be loyal to it; that it is a small state whose arrogance cannot afford to alienate China; that Singapore has lacked a strong leader since Lee Kuan Yew, with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong underestimating the importance of ties with Beijing; that Singapore is too close to the United States, whose power lies in the past while China represents the future, thus making it necessary for Singapore to align itself with Beijing; and that Singapore should not get involved in the South China Sea dispute.
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