Introduction At a conference in Beijing, in 2018, several Chinese scholars, including one from Singapore, made the surprising statement that the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) was a product of the West. China was therefore not bound to comply with the Convention. The truth is that UNCLOS was negotiated by more …
The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea: A Revolutionary Treaty Read More »
Singapore has always affirmed that the international legal order should be stable and predictable, as international law levels the playing field in international relations. Singapore’s specific experience in its international disputes with other states shows that its practice of international law is consistent with its publicly expressed sentiment. This article will examine Singapore’s experience at …
In June 2016, 51.9 per cent of the British electorate voted in a referendum in favour of leaving the European Union (EU). On 28 March 2017, the British government officially informed the European Union of its wish to leave the union. Under EU law, the UK would leave the EU, two years later, on 29 …
Women’s rights are human rights. The struggle by women for justice and equality is one of the longest in the history of human rights. Although much progress has been made, the struggle is not over in some parts of the world. Boys and girls are born equal. Inequality sets in as they grow up. The …
Women’s Quest For Justice And Equality: A Short History Read More »
On 29 January 1819, Stamford Raffles, accompanied by William Farquhar and a small entourage arrived in Singapore. His objective was to establish a port and trading station for the East India Company. This is the beginning of the story of modern Singapore. Our founding Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, held this view. Speaking to …
The United Nations (UN) and the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) are natural partners. This is reflected in the charters of both organisations. In the case of the United Nations, Article 52 of its charter makes references to the role of regional arrangements or agencies in the maintenance of international peace and security. As …
The People’s Republic of China (PRC) was established in 1949. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was created in 1967. From 1967 to 1978, relations between the PRC and ASEAN were difficult. During that period, the PRC sought to export communism to the ASEAN member states by supporting local communist insurgencies. Beijing also appealed …
Deng Xiaoping had visited Singapore twice in his lifetime. In 1920, Deng was 16 years old. He was one of the 84 students from Sichuan province going to France to participate in a work cum study programme. His ship, Lebon, stopped over in Singapore for two days. Deng was shocked by the way the British …
The first joint maritime exercise between China and the 10 ASEAN member states was successfully carried out last week in China off the southern city of Zhanjiang, the home of the South Sea Fleet of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). The exercise was co-organised by the Republic of Singapore Navy and PLAN, with participation …
Why ASEAN Should Hold More Maritime Drills with China and US Read More »
