Lee says no change in Singapore's 'one-China' policy

Asian Political News, August 30, 2004

SINGAPORE, Aug. 23 Kyodo

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Sunday that Singapore will stick to a ''one-China'' policy and will not back Taiwan if war breaks out on the Taiwan Strait due to Taiwan's independence drive.

''Singapore's 'one-China' policy will not change,'' Lee, who became premier Aug. 12, said in a nationally televised speech at the National Day Rally late Sunday. ''A move by Taiwan towards independence is neither in Singapore's interest nor in the region's interest. If Taiwan goes for independence, Singapore will not recognize it.''

Lee made the remarks in an apparent bid to mend fences with China after bilateral relations soured over his private visit to Taiwan last month.

Every Singaporean prime minister traditionally delivers a speech about two weeks after the country celebrates its independence day on Aug. 9.

The visit ''doesn't contradict our 'one-China' policy. The Taiwanese know full well that we stand for one China and are opposed to Taiwan independence. Indeed, we are very worried by the growth of Taiwan independence forces,'' Lee said.

''China will fight'' any move toward independence, he said. ''Win or lose, Taiwan will be devastated...I met only very few Taiwanese leaders who recognized this reality. The problem is that it is not going to be just Taiwan who is going to be damaged, it will be a grave setback for the whole region.''

Singapore, which has a majority ethnic Chinese population, established diplomatic relations with China in 1990 but also maintains close contacts with Taiwan.

China regards Taiwan as a renegade province and has threatened the use of force if Taiwan declares independence.

After Lee's visit to Taiwan on July 10-13, China canceled the central bank governor's trip to Singapore and the delegation of his deputy also snubbed a dinner invitation extended by Lee. More recently, officials in Beijing warned that a plan for the two countries to start talks for a free trade agreement in November could be delayed.

On domestic issues, Lee said the government will give more freedom to citizens to air their views by allowing them to make indoor public speeches without obtaining prior permission from police.

Lee, however, did not go further to remove curbs on outdoor public speeches. In Singapore, street demonstrations and protests are still prohibited.

Lee said the government will allow ''exhibitions'' at Speakers' Corner, a small park in the central business district, which has been the only place for citizens to air their views in the open.

A police source said it effectively means that members of political parties and civic groups may soon be able put up banners or posters when they speak at the park.

Lee Kuan Yew, Lee's father and founder of modern Singapore, showed little tolerance for dissent during his rule as the country's first prime minister from 1959 to 1990.

Goh Chok Tong, the younger Lee's predecessor, introduced a more populist style of government during his 14-year reign. He introduced the ''Speakers' Corner'' and consulted citizens on most key policies.

A Singapore police force spokeswoman said the police are currently finalizing the details of these changes and will announcing them shortly, probably by the end of the month.