The Three Asian Leaders
Behind Singapore’s Parliament House, right next to the riverside that divides the island’s centre and south, is the Asian Civilisations Museum. This robust gallery of artefacts displays gems of history from across Asia, highlighting the wonders of the ancient, middle and pre-modern civilisations that stood in Indonesia, Vietnam, Burma, Thailand, Malaysia and China. This testament to the glory of Asian culture is perfectly located in Singapore, a nation that has always enthusiastically championed the cause of South-East Asian co-opreation and unity, joining ASEAN upon it’s foundation in 1967 and since acting as a leader in investment, trade and cultural exchange within the region.
Although the museum is a tremendous site, and will likely be the subject of a post at some point down the track, it is what is located just outside of the museum that shall be focused on within this post. Looking upon the Singapore river are the busts of three important Asian leaders who fundamentally changed the directions of their nations and Asia as a whole. These leaders, who have been commemorated within statue, stand a slight walk apart from each other and were placed upon the riverside walk between 2008 and 2011, marked with high profile visits from representatives from their nations. These figures are Deng Xiaoping of China, Jawaharlal Nehru of India and Ho Chi Minh of Vietnam. Taking a look at these memorials one by one, we shall analyse the importance that these figures had on their own nation as well as the spillover their actions had on Singapore, and delve into the significance of the Singaporean government deciding to provide these icons with such public, prominent memorials right behind the nation’s seat of government.
Deng Xiaoping
Deng Xiaoping was the Paramount Leader of China from 1978 to 1989, taking charge of the nation in the aftermath of the passing of CCP Chairman Mao Zedong. Xiaoping’s rise to power was filled with intrigue and political manoeuvring, as well as opposition from Mao’s chosen successor Hua Guofeng. Inheriting a nation filled with institutional disunity, a general waning of enthusiasm for communism and an overall lack of direction following the frenzies of China’s cultural revolutionary massacres, Xiaoping restored order to the nation by making necessary reforms to the Chinese economy, political atmosphere and education system that allowed the nation to realise it’s full potential.
Xiaoping championed investment in Science and technology, established formal diplomatic relations with the USA and combined the socialist principles of Chinese Communism with free enterprise ideology to open China to foreign investment. Xiaoping laid the foundation for negotiations with the United Kingdom and Portugal regarding the status of Hong Kong and Macau, proposing the ‘one nation, two systems’ model that is maintained today. But internationally, Xiaoping is remembered for his controversies including endorsing the infamous ‘one child policy’ in an attempt to combat rapid over-population and his decision to brutally crackdown on protestors in Tiananmen Square with a military response, an event that lingers over modern China like a spectre that is never acknowledged but always present. Yet, many argue that Xiaoping was the man that China needed to redirect it’s course following the chaos of Mao’s declining days. What is even more impressive is that Xiaoping was never China’s Head of Government, State or CCP chairman, but instead a powerbroker who controlled the nation from an informal role but still wielded far-stretching influence.
Xiaopping’s significance to Singapore stems from his liberalising of the economy, which encouraged co-operation between the two nations. Singapore’s first President Lee Kuan Yew was hesitant to engage with China in any significant manner, due to his ideological disdain for communism and a desire to market Singapore as an entirely independent nation rather than simply a ‘third China’ following the PRC and Taiwan. But gradual bridges were built throughout the 1980’s until comprehensive political and trade connections were established in 1990, facilitated by the sweeping reforms Xiaoping had made to the Chinese economy. Even though Singapore was the last nation in South-East Asia to recognise the CCP as the legitimate government in China, relations grew throughout the 2000’s, culminating in China and Hong Kong cumulatively accounting for almost 30% of Singapore’s overall trade.
During a state visit by then Vice-President Xi Jingping, a bust of Xiaoping was revealed to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Chinese and Singapore relations, accompanied by a small text recounting a biography of the leader and a stand decorated with golden Chinese letters. The significance of China to Singapore is deeper than simply economic, as many Singaporeans trace their lineage back to mainland China and the migration from the nation has had a tremendous influence on the development of Singapore throughout it’s colonial and independence eras.
Though Xiaoping is a controversial figure, his bust commemorates the easing of skepticism between Singapore and China, and a general embracing of their co-operative relationship which has grown steadily in recent times.
Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh was the leader of Communist North Vietnam from 1945 to 1969, serving as both the Prime Minister and President. Minh is best known as the scourge of both France and the USA due to his leadership of Communist forces through the First and Second French Indochina Wars, the latter of which he would not live to see conclude. North Vietnam would invade the south and form a united nation in 1976, renaming the capital of the fallen South, Saigon, to Ho Chi Minh City in honour of their passed on ideological leader.
Minh is undoubtedly the father of modern Vietnam and his communist principles dominate the nation’s politics to this day. However, his ideology caused significant tensions between Vietnam and Singapore during the late 20th century. Due to the aforementioned skepticism of Singapore towards communism, the island nation gave it’s support to South Vietnam during the Second Indochina War, providing support to US, Australian and Philippines troops by facilitating military bases and refining petroleum used for weaponry in the conflict. However, at the war’s conclusion in 1973, Singapore recognised the legitimacy of North Vietnam and established diplomatic relations, further accepting the fall of the south in 1975. Although things seemed to be improving for the two Asian nations, Vietnam’s decision to invade Cambodia in 1978 reawoke Singapore’s hostilities, who supported forces in Cambodia in their struggle to beat back the invading armies. Although Singapore did not recognise Pol Pot’s Kampuchea, it’s decision to support his armies fight against Vietnam rallied international support for Cambodia’s independence, which would materialise in 1990.
In 1995, Vietnam joined ASEAN as a member and relations between Singapore and Vietnam were forcibly deepened due to the organisation’s policies and initiatives to facilitate trade between nations. Co-operation would continue throughout the 2000’s, culminating in 2008 when a bust of Ho Chi Minh was placed in line with the Asian Civilisations Museum to recognise the formality of the blossoming ties between the two states.
Modern day Vietnam is rapidly growing, in spite of it’s continued advocacy of Communism. Minh in this sense is very similar to Xiaoping in the eyes of Singaporeans. Although his leadership was controversial and caused relative distrust within Singapore, it is undeniable that Ho Chi Minh’s contribution to Vietnam laid the groundwork for the developing relationship enjoyed between both countries in the modern day, and as such the marker is not so much to honour Ho Chi Minh but instead the legacy of modern Vietnam.
Jawaharlal Nehru
Completing the trio of Asian leaders proudly displayed before the Asian Civilisations Museum is the founder of modern India, Jawaharlal Nehru. The architect of India, Nehru served as the nation’s initial Prime Minister from 1947 until his death in 1964, a role his daughter, Indira Gandhi, would adopt just a few years later. Nehru negotiated the partition of India and Pakistan, as well as forged a path for India to gain independence from the British Empire first as a Dominion before becoming a Republic. He worked alongside Mahatma Gandhi to promote co-operation within a multi-party democratic state and encouraged neutrality within the Cold War.
Nehru visited Singapore three times, the last of which was an official state visit as Prime Minister of India in June 1950, where he gave speeches and opened numerous buildings of importance to Singapore’s Indian community. In the wake of Nehru’s death, Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew lead a condolence service in honour of the man who lead India to becoming the world’s largest democracy and promoted Asian unity with enthusiasm.
The relationship between India and Singapore is the least strained of the three partnerships, with both nations standing as members of the Commonwealth of Nations and ideologically similar political structures. India recognised Singapore fifteen days following it’s Declaration of Independence in 1965, beginning a series of trade talks that materialised quickly. Although military co-operation was limited, most factors of a friendly relationship between the two countries were maintained and promoted as the nations sought to benefit from each other’s unique benefits, namely Singapore’s technological and economic prowess and India’s large labour force.
The bust was revealed in 2011 as an act of reaffirmation to signify that the Indian-Singaporean relationship was as strong as ever. Nehru was a true friend of Singapore’s and his statue is still observed by Singaporean Indians as a sign that their motherland and home nation retain cordial and formal relations.
Sources:
https://www.hcisingapore.gov.in/pdf/nehru.pdf
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2010-11/14/content_11547318.htm
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