A senior government official from Singapore has voiced out about its views about rising political tensions in Hong Kong and stressed that there were «no profits» to be made through this by the city-state.
«There’s no profit in seeing instability. And if Hong Kong is at odds with China, it’s a problem for everyone, including us,» said Singapore’s Minister for Law and Home Affairs Kasiviswanathan (better known as «K») Shanmugam, amid signs of asset outflows from one hub to the other. «We benefit from stability across the region, including Hong Kong. If China does well, Hong Kong does well, the region does well, we do well.»
Shanmugam noted that the diverse geography and needs in the Asia market have created «enough work» to split between Hong Kong and Singapore, describing the relationship as healthy competition, and emphasized the benefits of the former’s close relations with China especially with regards to the recent protests. «If this happened to us, it would be bad for our economy and we don’t have the advantages Hong Kong has to weather such a situation,» he said, according to a transcript released by the Singapore government.
«Hong Kong has the huge advantage of China’s support. Singapore has no one to support it. From that perspective, I think Singaporeans say if this happens in Singapore, it will be very troublesome and they are grateful that it is not happening here.»
Protestors’ «Wishful Thinking»
According to Shanmugam, ideological matters issues can be harder to deal with than socioeconomic describing existing positions in the current Hong Kong political conflict as «deeply entrenched» and worrisome.
He said that solutions would be hard to manifest should «disruptions like these continue» and stressed the need for compromise as well as a reality check.
«Some of the protesters seem to think that China will allow a very different system in Hong Kong. That is wishful thinking replacing reality,» he said, referring to greater democracy in electoral systems. «The current situation is challenging China, and I’m not sure that Chinese leaders will accept that or can accept that.»
No Better System For China
Shanmugam also highlighted the lack of credit given to China for its «huge achievement» and historic track record of lifting hundreds of millions out of poverty in just 35 years, underlining that it selects «very competent» leaders for effective results.
«Is there a system, a political system that can do better for the people of China, compared to the current system? Which one? Name one? Whose system is better?» he asked. «So ideology must square with reality.»
Regarding perception of the Hong Kong police force, Shanmugam described the biased nature of international media and its presentation of a «confused, muddled» picture which illustrates an oversimplified truth. «All protesters are automatically, generally, democracy fighters. Police, on the other hand, are oppressive, attacking the forces of democracy, using excessive force. They’re negative. They’re an evil force.»
