5-8-2023 (SINGAPORE) The Ambassador to the US, Lui Tuck Yew, has strongly refuted claims made in a recent article by The Washington Post that Lianhe Zaobao, a Singaporean media outlet, echoes Beijing’s propaganda. In a letter addressed to the editor of The Washington Post and made available on the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) website on Saturday (Aug 5), Ambassador Lui expressed his disagreement with the portrayal of Lianhe Zaobao and emphasized Singapore’s unique stance on international relations.
The article in question, titled “In Singapore, Loud Echoes of Beijing’s Positions Generate Anxiety,” published on Jul 24, accused Lianhe Zaobao of promoting Beijing’s narrative, particularly regarding issues like the alleged rights abuses in Xinjiang and the origin of protests in Hong Kong and mainland China. Authors Shibani Mahtani and Amrita Chandradas claimed that the publication, which was once seen as a reflection of Singapore’s careful neutrality between China and the United States, had shifted its stance in favor of Beijing’s agenda.
Ambassador Lui countered these allegations by highlighting Singapore’s multi-racial and multi-religious nature. He emphasized that Singapore’s mainstream media, including Lianhe Zaobao, represents the diverse societal concerns, cultural history, and perspectives of the nation. These media outlets play a vital role in reporting local and global news to Singaporeans while preserving the voices of its multicultural communities.
Drawing from his experience as Singapore’s former Ambassador to China, Lui attested to the balanced coverage and uniquely Singaporean viewpoints offered by Lianhe Zaobao. He supported the publication’s rejection of The Washington Post’s characterization, firmly asserting its editorial integrity.
Moreover, Lui emphasized that it was misguided for American news outlets to expect Lianhe Zaobao to mirror The Washington Post or for Singapore to align itself with either the US or China. Singapore’s media landscape and society are distinct, offering valuable perspectives that contribute to the global dialogue.
Lui further stressed that Singapore conducts its foreign policy based on its own interests and does not take sides in international affairs. The country upholds consistent principles without favoring one power over another. He cited a poll conducted by Singapore’s Ministry of Communications and Information in July 2022, which revealed that 86% of Singaporeans supported their government’s stance of acting in the nation’s best interest and not aligning with either the US or China. Only 4% of respondents felt that Singapore should lean towards China or the US, showcasing the public’s strong endorsement of Singapore’s independent foreign policy.
