A Special Relationship Not So Special Anymore: Changing Dynamics of China-Singapore Relations

Abstract

This paper investigates the changes in Chinas strategic partnership with Singapore under the influences of Chinas rise and the escalating US-China rivalry. When China had just started its economic reform, it was attracted by Singapores capabilities of maintaining high economic growth with strong party leadership, laying the foundation for a special relationship. But Singapore soon had to learn to strategically rebalance its policies in new geopolitical realities with Chinas rising power. Differing national interests has put China-Singapore relations at a new low point. To deliver the above argument, this paper reviews the start of the China-Singapore relationship, then analyzes the changes in the development of China-Singapore relations in the economic and political spheres. The main findings are that China and Singapores pragmatism in the struggle for power and survival erodes past relations and that political deterioration overpowers economic cooperation despite its expansion.