Charity for Bilateral ties? Wrong idea mate!

Singaporeans should have done more to help those hit by the climate upheaval in China

I WAS surprised that there is a lack of support for those hit by the recent weather disaster in China.

This is more so when we have many economic collaboration projects going on there.

I believe many Singaporeans now work in China and many may even have uprooted themselves and stay there long term due to the many opportunities sprouting up from its economic revival.
When Indonesia was hit by earthquakes recently, the community here raised funds and even sent experts over to assist the country in relief efforts. It was a much-appreciated gesture which benefited both countries bilaterally.

Though China has recently powered ahead in terms of economic growth, there are still many provinces that have yet to benefit from such progress. Many still depend on air-conditioners to act as heaters and they are not sufficient to keep warm when the weather hits sub-zero for a prolonged period of snowfall.

Many also go without power and water for many weeks in the provinces. The daily news clips on people huddling together over candles and charcoal to keep warm is most heart-rending.

However, I am sure the resilience of the Chinese people will prevail over time.
Though our Prime Minister has come out to encourage the Chinese people and donated $500,000 to the country in relief efforts, I find that much more can be done to promote bilateral ties between the two countries. It is when one country decides to support another in times of need that the ties can be cemented and reciprocated if necessary.

We need to be more proactive when it comes to maintaining neighbouring ties. It is not often that a country plunges into such a climatic crisis. Any kind gestures will be most appreciated from the country in trouble. We may have missed the chance to show our support here.

Gilbert Goh Keow Wah



AND MY REPLY:



Killing two birds with one stone

I REFER to the letter ‘Singaporeans should have done more to help those hit by the climate upheaval in China’ by Gilbert Goh Keow Wah (ST Forum, 11 Feb 2008).

In his letter, he urged Singaporeans to be more proactive in supporting our neighbors and more specifically China, which has been hit by their coldest winter in years. He cited the example of the aid provided to Indonesia when they suffered from earthquakes.

However, while his altruistic idea is definitely worth a mention, it might be somewhat hypocritical. There are many countries out there that are in dire need of aid - not just in times of disaster, yet we are doing nothing (that is reported) to help them out.

Of course, in an economic point of view, we should definitely jump at any chance to strengthen our bilateral ties with an economic powerhouse such as China where we have an abundance of investments. However, it seems to me that this support that we ought to provide defeats the whole purpose of providing aid. The gesture of providing relief aid should be based on good will and the kindness of our hearts, not to strengthen bilateral ties.

In addition, unlike the United States of America, we cannot afford to be the police of the world. As a country devoid of natural resources, we have to help ourselves before we can help others. Remember that we are using taxpayers’ money whenever we provide aid. How are we to survive if we were to be over-generous?

Furthermore, China has not asked for our help. Sure, if you wish to provide aid, you may do so independently. A powerful nation like China is definitely capable of solving its own problems. It would be embarrassing for China if Singapore, which does not even reach the size of any of its major cities, were to actively provide aid. That very action would insinuate the incapability of the Chinese government.

In short, the Singapore government has already “come out to encourage the Chinese people and donated $500,000 to the country in relief efforts.” This in itself is an adequate and effective gesture in strengthening bilateral ties while providing aid. To put it bluntly, they have killed two birds with one stone.

Still, I will not completely dismiss the writer’s suggestion that we should be more proactive in providing aid. Where there are people to be helped, and where we are capable, we should definitely provide aid. It should be done because it is only right, and it is what you hope others would do for you, should you be in a similar predicament.


Julian Sng Yeung Liang