The Formation And Evolvement Of Singapore's Diplomatic Strategy To Major Powers

Singapore is a successful model of diplomacy as a small country, the diplomatic strategy is vital for a small country's existence and development. Small countries can't change the situation of the world, but if use its diplomatic strategy properly, it will be fit to the world well ,and gain more benefits, and raise more international position and influence. Singapore is a successful model within numerous nations in the world, not only obtains economic achievements on which the whole world pays attention within several decades, but also gains the international position and influences that other small nations can't have, an important factor of these achievements is the implement of Singapore's diplomatic strategy to major powers. Just for this, Singapore does not become dependency of the neighbors and contacts with major powers, and promotes the development of itself.The establishment of Singapore's diplomatic strategy to major powers according to the accurate judgment of the situation of Southeast Asia, combined with concrete situation of Singapore. Singapore believed that major powers have important benefits in Southeast Asia, so it's unrealistic to eliminate the existence of big countries completely, and the existence of them also unnecessarily harmful. Singapore strived for the major powers to get involved in Singapore and Southeast Asia actively, and kept friendly relation with them, acquiring political support and economic aid multilaterally, but don't ally with them, avoiding undertaken military duty or involved in the conflicts of big countries. When dealing the relation with major power, Singapore sakes for balance of them and prevented any country have too much powers, or it will lead to instability in the region. The diplomatic strategy of Singapore to major powers is not inflexible, it will adjust according to the transformation of domestic and foreign situation continuously, it's a dynamic policy.The phase of primary practice of Singapore's diplomatic strategy to major powers is from the independence of Singapore to the end of Vietnam War. When independent, Singapore faced rigorous international and regional situation, in order to guarantee safety and develop economy, Singapore strived for the military existence of Britain and United States in Southeast Asia to counteract Soviet, and made use of Soviet to prevent United States too powerful in Southeast Asia. The phase of adjustment of Singapore's diplomatic strategy to major powers is from the end of Vietnam War to the end of Cold War. The end of Vietnam War changed the situation Southeast Asia, so Singapore adjusted policy, strengthened military cooperation with United States and asked for the help of China at the same time, for withstanding Soviet's expand in Southeast Asia. Before the end of Cold War, the characteristics of Singapore's diplomatic strategy to major powers are the national defense diplomacy and regard west as a principle part. The phase of maturation of Singapore's diplomatic strategy to major powers is after Cold War. In this time, the situation of the world relaxed, Singapore continue to adjust its policy according to the change of influence and benefits among major powers in Southeast Asia, Singapore strengthened cooperation with American of every aspects continuously, and promoted Japanese political influence in Southeast Asia, and extended contact with China, hoping that China, America and Japan can restrict one another and achieved balance as a whole. After Cold war, the characteristics of Singapore's diplomatic strategy to major powers relied on ASEAN as footstone and pushed ASEAN into play more function in regional affairs, and economic safety became an important part of the national security.The diplomatic strategy of Singapore to major powers is in favor of its strategic aim, ensuring the security, stability and prosperity of Singapore. As long as big countries compete in Southeast Asia and the region is in disadvantage in Asia-Pacific and the relations with neighbors haven't essential improvement, the diplomatic strategy would always the choice of Singapore. There is no ability of Singapore to control or moderate the balance of the region, the relations between Singapore and major powers base on common needs, the situations of major powers in the region just match Singapore's conceive, Singapore makes use of the competition among them, Lee Kuan Yew draws up the strategy most match Singapore's benefits and the continuity of Singapore's foreign policy, all these factors contribute to the diplomatic strategy of Singapore to major powers further perfect continuously.