Singapore’s Diplomatic RelationsOng Wei Teck (37)Wallace Tan (40)Terence Siow (42)

What is Diplomacy?

• It is the art or process of conducting negotiations between heads of states or representatives of groups.

Different types of Diplomacy

• There are 3 types of diplomacy, namely:

• International Relations• Bilateral Relations• Regional Relations

International Relations- How is Singapore involved?

International Relations- How is Singapore involved?

• As former Indonesian president Habibe put it, “Singapore stands out as a little red dot in a sea of green.”

• If Singapore is a tiny country, how significant are our efforts on the world’s events? How do we participate?

International Relations- How is Singapore involved?

• The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation• UN Law of the Sea convention• Anti-piracy efforts• Humanitarian efforts• Anti-terrorism efforts

Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation

• The APEC is forum for 21 Pacific Rim countries that aims to promote free trade and economic cooperation through the Asia-Pacific region.

• Singapore was 2009’s APEC host.

The Benefits

• Singapore will be recognized by the world as a prominent country that is well developed, especially economically. This will attract more investors and tourists, thus improving Singapore economically.

• We can also voice out our opinions and forge friendships with other countries, helping each other by all means possible.

UN Law of the Sea conference• Organised to decide on the territorial rights of a country

over its waters• Our ambassador-at-large, Prof. Tommy Koh was

president of 3rd Law of the Sea conference from 1980-1982.

The Benefits

• Countries’ territorial limits for waters are clearly defined, so that there would not be conflicts between countries over waters activity.

• Protects the freedom of scientific research on high seas• Singapore will be known as the one which solved the

problems over territorial waters, boosting its credibility and reputation.

Anti-terrorism efforts• On 6 May 2004, then Prime Minister Goh Chok

Tong delivered a speech at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington, which expressed Singapore’s view on the global challenge against terrorism.

• Singapore hosted the Regional Special Forces Counter-Terrorism Conference from 21–25 November 2005.

Anti-terrorism efforts (Cont’d)• During 15–17 August 2005, Singapore hosted a multi-

national maritime interdiction exercise.• It was part of the Proliferation Security Initiative to

address the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. It was launched at Changi Naval Base and conducted in the South China Sea.

The Benefits• Singapore will be involved in the reducing of piracy

activities in the world.• Singapore will be known to many countries as it is

fervently supports anti-piracy, thus boosting its standing and relationships with other countries.

Humanitarian efforts• In support of the international community's humanitarian

relief efforts for earthquake-hit Haiti, the singaporean government has taken swift action in helping a disaster relief in Haiti by donating 50000 us dollars.

Humanitarian efforts (cont’d )• The Singapore civil defence force dispatched 55

member contingent to sichuan, china, to assist local authorities in search and rescue efforts in the quake-hit region.

• .

The benefits• By helping out other countries in times of need, other

countries will be sure to help us during similar troubled times.

• Also humanitarian efforts help to sow the seeds of friendship between two countries.

Anti-piracy efforts• Growing piracy in the Gulf of Aden, especially by

Somalia pirates and off the Horn of Africa is threatening to undermine international humanitarian efforts in Africa, as well as safety of commercial maritime routes and international navigation. NATO (including singapore) is actively helping to increase security by conducting counter-piracy operations in the area.

Benefits• As there are more countries, the job will be made easier. The sea routes taken by ships carrying food (UN World

Food Programme) can be safely carried out on time without disruptions

This will allow countries to bond and be united against total eradication of piracy

Anti-terrorism efforts• On 6 May 2004, then Prime Minister Goh Chok

Tong delivered a speech at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington, which expressed Singapore’s view on the global challenge against terrorism.

• Singapore hosted the Regional Special Forces Counter-Terrorism Conference from 21–25 November 2005.

Anti-terrorism efforts (Cont’d)• During 15–17 August 2005, Singapore hosted a multi-

national maritime interdiction exercise.• It was part of the Proliferation Security Initiative to

address the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. It was launched at Changi Naval Base and conducted in the South China Sea.

The Benefits• Singapore will be involved in the reducing of piracy

activities in the world.• Singapore will be known to many countries as it is

fervently supports anti-piracy, thus boosting its standing and relationships with other countries.

Why are international relations

more important than bilateral and regional relations?

Regional Relations• Examples of regional relations:• ASEAN (SOUTH EAST ASIA!)

• Association of South East Nations• Currently 10 members• A regional organisation to maintain stability and build trust

among the members of ASEAN.• Activities among ASEAN countries include:

• AFTA (ASEAN free trade area)• ARF (ASEAN Regional Forum)• Education and professional exchange• Economic Cooperation and assistance

Regional Relations

• They allow countries in the same region to bond together and cooperate effectively together against similar issues faced.

• However, International relations allow one country to work with many other countries. Regardless of any country’s location, any two countries can co-operate to pursue common interests.

• Furthermore, complications in regional relations have emerged in the past.

The failures of ASEAN• The inability to address the financial crisis

swiftly is often highlighted as one of the major failures of ASEAN, along with fighting terrorism. ASEAN could have done more and at a more accelerated pace to tackle the crisis on hindsight but it does not mean that ASEAN did nothing. 

International Relations• Being a ‘little red dot’ on the map,

Singapore is extremely vulnerable to external threats such as terrorism.

• When we have many alliances and friendships, others will be less likely to attack or threaten us.

• Thus, international relations serve as a form of deterrence.

Bilateral Relations

• Bilateral Relations are between two countries.

• They comprise the political, economic and/or cultural relations between two countries.

• This is useful, but it is ONLY limited to between two countries, whereas international relations allow one country to the rest of the world.

International Relations• Being a ‘little red dot’ on the map,

Singapore is extremely vulnerable to external threats such as terrorism.

• When we have many alliances and friendships, others will be less likely to attack or threaten us.

• Thus, international relations serve as a form of deterrence.

International Relations

• Although both bilateral and regional relations have their own benefits, international relations allow both economic and social development at a quicker pace, due to more countries being involved.

• When plagued by common problems, we can work together with the world to come up with effective solutions. Everybody gains, but nobody loses out.

Biblography• Social Studies Textbook• Wikipedia• Google• ida.gov.sg• asianews.it• http://www.aseansec.org/15051.htm• http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90777/90851/68

69544.html• http://www.scdf.gov.sg/scdf_internet/en/general/informati

on/overseas-missions/mission9.html