Academics: China views Singapore differently now

Stark views: Wang (right) believes Singapore needs China’s economic cooperation; Zhai says China’s expectations on Singapore have changed.

SINGAPORE has more to benefit from China, rather than the other way round, in establishing bilateral relations with the mainland, according to two well-known academics in Asia.

“It is obvious China doesn’t need Singapore the way Singapore needs China. But China finds Singapore important, because of its location and its management system,” says Prof Wang Gungwu, chairman of the East Asian Institute, National University of Singapore.