As a small state with no natural resources, one of the pillars of Singapore’s foreign policy has been to cultivate good relations with other countries. This is for the security and prosperity of Singapore and the wider region. To achieve that, Singapore was a founding member of international organisations such as the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The nation also hosted foreign dignitaries and its leaders spoke at overseas engagements. This selection of speeches shows Mr Lee’s tireless work in building ties between Singapore and the rest of the world.
The views expressed should be contextualised within the political, social and economic context of that time.
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Strengthening the Region
Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew at the Official Opening of the 5th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting
Date: 13/04/1972
Source: Mediacorp Pte Ltd, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore
Established in 1967 with the ASEAN Declaration, ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) aimed to foster economic growth and regional peace. Mr Lee’s speech at the official opening of the 5th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting reflected on the steady advancements made by the young organisation, such as promoting understanding and goodwill among ASEAN countries and leaders.
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Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew at the Australian National Press Club Luncheon
Date: 27/10/1976
Source: Mediacorp Pte Ltd, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore
Mr Lee’s 1976 address at the National Press Club Luncheon in Canberra, Australia focused on the issues of race, ideology, and economic development in post-colonial Southeast Asia, and how these might develop over the next four years. The appeal of communism as a revolutionary force was waning for Singaporeans as they enjoyed freedom of choice and a higher standard of living, said Mr Lee. He highlighted the role of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) in supporting regional peace and stability, and invited his Australian audience to maintain their interest in the region.
Chinese Vice-Premier Deng Xiaoping at Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew's State Banquet
Date: 12/11/1978
Source: Mediacorp Pte Ltd, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore
In this 1978 speech in honour of then-Chinese Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping, Mr Lee reflected on the separate trajectory of Chinese Singaporeans from their ancestors in China, and the challenges they faced in ensuring a separate and durable future for themselves in Southeast Asia. Singapore's future, said Mr Lee, would depend on its own position in Southeast Asia, and not that of China. Nonetheless, he emphasised that the success of China's industrialisation programme and long-term understanding between the two countries was of great importance for Asia and for the world.
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Speeches By Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew at the Dinner in Honour of His Excellency Prime Minister Of Japan, Mr Yasuhiro Nakasone, and Mrs Tsutako Nakasone
Date: 04/05/1983
Source: Mediacorp Pte Ltd, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore
On 4 May 1983, then-Prime Minister of Japan Yasuhiro Nakasone and wife Tsutako Nakasone attended a dinner in their honour at the Istana. In his welcome speech, Mr Lee spoke about the growing interdependence between Japan and ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations). He highlighted Japan’s role as Singapore’s largest trading partner and shared how Singapore had benefited from Japan’s technical assistance, productivity consciousness, and expertise with knowledge-based industries. He emphasised that for both countries to weather strains in the international economic situation, a careful regard for each other’s sensitivities, interests and aspirations was needed.
APEC Opening Address by Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew
Date: 29/07/1990
Source: Ministry of Information and the Arts, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore
Mr Lee opened the second Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministerial Meeting in 1990 by highlighting the vigorous economic growth experienced by APEC countries in recent years. This growth was achieved thanks to the multilateral free trade regime established under the GATT-IMF (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade-International Monetary Fund), he said. He emphasised the need for APEC to champion open trade and guard against the emergence of restrictive economic blocs around the world.
Making Global Connections
Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew's Address at the Atlantic Institute for International Affairs in Brussels
Date: 12/01/1972
Source: Mediacorp Pte Ltd, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore
In this 1972 speech titled “Peace and Stability Through Trade and Finance in East and Southeast Asia”, Mr Lee discussed the indivisibility of peace and war, and trade and finance in a globalised world. Acknowledging the long, complicated history between European powers and the Southeast Asian region, Mr Lee asserted that the way forward was to move towards a multilateral sharing of world responsibilities in trade and finance. He underscored the important role that Europe and the European Economic Community (EEC) could play to build a more stable, peaceful and prosperous world.
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Prime Minister Lee's Speech at the 26th World Congress of International Chamber of Commerce
Date: 05/10/1978
Source: Mediacorp Pte Ltd, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore
In 1978, Mr Lee gave a speech at the International Chamber of Commerce in Orlando, Florida, titled “Extrapolating from the Singapore Experience”. He sketched out the political and economic systems that different Southeast Asian countries adopted in the power vacuum following the Second World War, and how these countries had developed. Singapore's approach, after it was thrust into independence following its separation from the Federation of Malaysia, was “free enterprise, tempered with the socialist philosophy of equal opportunities for education, jobs, health, housing”, said Mr Lee. With strong leadership, a common purpose, and the favourable economic conditions of the 1960s, Singapore was able to smoothly transition into independent rule.
Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew's Speech at a Dinner Held in Honour of British Prime Minister Mrs Margaret Thatcher
Date: 08/04/1985
Source: Mediacorp Pte Ltd, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore
In this 1985 speech delivered at the Istana to welcome then-British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Mr Lee expressed his admiration for her firm leadership and governance. He attributed Britain’s economic upturn to her conviction and willingness to make difficult decisions, and welcomed British participation in local markets.
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Speech by Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew at the White House Dinner Hosted by the President of the United States of America, Mr Ronald Reagan and Mrs Reagan
Date: 10/10/1985
Source: Mediacorp Pte Ltd, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore
In 1985, Mr Lee gave a speech at a White House dinner hosted by then-US President Ronald Reagan. Mr Lee commended the President for his leadership and confidence amid critical difficulties faced by the USA, citing the Vietnam War and the Tehran hostage crisis. He expressed his confidence that President Reagan would lead Americans out of the ongoing economic downturn by opening up foreign markets and creating new jobs for Americans.
Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's Speech at the Inauguration of Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD) at the Emirates Tower Hotel, Dubai
Date: 01/03/2008
Source: Prime Minister's Office, courtesy of the National Archives of Singapore
In a speech at the inauguration of the Investment Corporation of Dubai in 2008, Mr Lee discussed the challenges faced by small city-states in a globalised world. He noted that small states were inherently vulnerable and did not have the luxury of being “masters of their own destiny”. Singapore ensures its survival by plugging into global markets and maintaining an open economy; optimising its limited manpower through education; and being swift and flexible in restructuring its economy. Mr Lee also underlined the role of government-linked investment corporations like Singapore’s Temasek and the Investment Corporation of Dubai in maintaining financial stability during periods of volatility.