新加坡領導人稱，東盟成員國不想在華盛頓和北京之間選邊站隊。“沒有人願意處于我們必須遏制中國崛起或限制美國存在的境地。”他還表示，“在該地區朝任何一個方向采取的任何舉動都不會有多少國家跟隨，因爲東盟沒有人希望看到爆發‘新冷戰’”。在海外問答網站Quora上，美國網友問：爲什麽新加坡不在中國和美國之間選邊站？我們看看各國網友的回答。
新加坡網友Chance Teo的回答
Only children choose to take sides in a fight, while adults value profit.
只有孩子在打架時才選擇站在一邊，而成年人則看重利益。
Taking sides means completely siding with one country and enmity with another. It’s a very old Cold War mentality. Now in the 21st century, we are concerned about the thinking of a community of common destiny. There can be only one winner in the Cold War, but cooperation can achieve win-win results. Countries around the world should strengthen communication and cooperation.
選擇站隊意味著完全倒向一個國家，敵視另一個國家。這是一種非常古老的冷戰思維。現在是21世紀，我們關注的是命運共同體的思考。冷戰只有一個贏家，但合作可以實現共贏。世界各國應加強溝通與合作。
1. Status Quo of Singapore (Geographical advantages)
1、新加坡現狀(地理優勢)
The geographical environment of a country is the most basic condition for its development. Why has America become the most powerful country in the world? Why has the British Navy been so powerful throughout history? Why has China’s territory barely changed for thousands of years? Why is Russia always on the offensive? Geography plays a very important role in this. The premise of formulating national strategy is the accurate understanding of national geography.
一個國家的地理環境是其發展的最基本條件。爲什麽美國能成爲世界上最強大的國家?爲什麽英國海軍在曆史上如此強大?爲什麽中國的領土幾千年來幾乎沒有變化?爲什麽俄羅斯總是保持進攻姿態?地理環境在其中起著非常重要的作用。制定國家戰略的前提是對國家地理的准確認識。
The extremely important geographical position determines the development direction and national strategy of Singapore.
極其重要的地理位置決定了新加坡的發展方向和國家戰略。
A. Excellent geographical location
A. 優越的地理位置
Located at the intersection of major shipping routes, Singapore is a major logistics hub and conduit for global trade. In the Logistics Performance Index released by the World Bank, Singapore was ranked as the best logistics hub in Asia. Singapore is an ideal place for large logistics companies to operate. Twenty of the world’s top 25 logistics companies have operations in Singapore.
新加坡位于主要航線的交彙處，是全球貿易的主要物流樞紐和管道。在世界銀行發布的物流績效指數中，新加坡被評爲亞洲最佳物流中心。新加坡是大型物流企業經營的理想之地。全球前25大物流企業中，有20家在新加坡開展業務。
B. Financial center
B. 金融中心
Singapore is also a very strong financial center in Asia, with more than 1,000 financial institutions, taking full advantage of a stable socio-political environment and strong economic fundamentals. Singapore’s banking and finance sector employs 190,000 people and accounts for 12 per cent of its gross domestic product.
新加坡也是亞洲非常強大的金融中心，擁有1000多家金融機構，充分利用了穩定的社會政治環境和強大的經濟基礎因素。新加坡的銀行和金融業雇傭了19萬人，占其國內生産總值(GDP)的12%。
The Singapore International Financial Exchange (SIMEX) is Asia’s first financial futures exchange and Singapore’s main wealth management centre. In 2013, SIMEX managed over $1.8 trillion in assets, making it the fastest growing wealth management center in the world.
新加坡國際金融交易所(SIMEX)是亞洲首家金融期貨交易所，也是新加坡主要的財富管理中心。2013年，SIMEX管理著超過1.8萬億美元的資産，成爲全球增長最快的財富管理中心。
2 Singapore’s development direction (time advantage and leadership advantage)
2新加坡的發展方向(時間優勢和領導優勢)
The best thing about Singapore is that it has found its own direction and can find different directions at different stages. China has a saying called “time advantage, geographical advantage, leadership advantage”, and Singapore has achieved it. If Singapore’s geographical location is a “geographical advantage”, then Singapore’s leaders are a “leadership advantage” and different historical stages are a “time advantage”.
新加坡最好的一點是，它找到了自己的發展方向，在不同的階段可以找到不同的方向。中國有句話叫“時間優勢、地理優勢、領導優勢”，新加坡做到了。如果新加坡的地理位置屬于“地理優勢”，那麽新加坡的領導者是“領導優勢”，不同的曆史階段是“時間優勢”。
(A) Export-oriented industries from 1965 to 1975
A. 1965年到1975年的出口導向型産業
Under the guidance of the export-oriented economy, Singapore began to develop labor-intensive industries. Early industries in Singapore were mainly vegetable oil, cosmetics, wigs, mosquito coils, hair creams, etc., and higher value-added industries were ship breaking and scrap steel coils.
在外向型經濟的導向下，新加坡開始發展勞動密集型産業。新加坡早期的産業主要是植物油、化妝品、假發、蚊香、發霜等，附加值較高的産業是拆船和廢鋼卷。
In October 1968, Texas Instruments began investing, followed by the National Semiconductor Plant. Then Texas Instruments’ rival Hewlett-Packard decided to start manufacturing in Singapore. Other electronics companies in the United States followed suit. American multinationals have laid the foundation for Singapore’s high-tech electronics industry. The electronics industry not only solved the problem of unemployment, but also enabled Singapore to become a major exporter of electronics in the 1980s.
1968年10月，德州儀器開始投資，緊接著是國家半導體工廠。後來，德州儀器的競爭對手惠普公司決定在新加坡開始生産。美國的其他電子公司也紛紛效仿。美國跨國公司爲新加坡的高科技電子産業奠定了基礎。電子工業不僅解決了失業問題，而且使新加坡在20世紀80年代成爲電子産品的主要出口國。
In 1975, Singapore’s industry overtook trade as the largest component of the economy for the first time.
1975年，新加坡的工業首次超過貿易，成爲經濟的最大組成部分。
B. Capital-intensive industries and finance, 1975-1990
B. 1975 – 1990年的資本密集型産業和金融業
After 1975, Singapore focused on the development of capital-intensive industries and finance: petrochemicals, electronics, finance, and real estate. Under the trend of free competition in European and American countries, Singapore developed state capitalism and focused on national priorities. Do you think you know it?
1975年以後，新加坡重點發展資本密集型産業和金融業:石油化工、電子工業、金融業、房地産業。在歐美國家自由競爭的趨勢下，新加坡發展國家資本主義，注重國家重點工作。你認爲你熟悉它嗎?
(C) Development of knowledge-intensive industries after 1990
C. 1990年後發展知識密集型産業
After 1990, the service sector became the engine of economic development. Singapore has shifted its focus from manufacturing to major emerging industries such as chemicals, electronics and engineering. The Economic Development Board has also started to develop the biomedical science industry with its leading edge in pharmaceutical biotechnology and medical technology.
1990年以後，服務業成爲經濟發展的引擎。新加坡已將發展重點從制造業轉向化工、電子和工程等主要新興産業。經濟發展局也憑借其在醫藥生物技術和醫療技術等行業的領先優勢，開始發展生物醫學科學産業。
Now Singapore has become more developed and beautiful.
現在的新加坡變得更加發達和美麗。
All States shall respect the national independence and sovereignty of Singapore
3各國應尊重新加坡的國家獨立和主權
Singapore is an independent country and every country needs to respect the choice of the Government and people of Singapore.
新加坡是一個獨立的國家，每個國家都需要尊重新加坡政府和人民的選擇。
Whether Singapore aligns itself with China or the United States, the end result will not be good.
無論新加坡與中國結盟還是與美國結盟，最終的結果都不會好。
When Singapore chooses either side, it offends the other side. The United States can provide security for Singapore, and China is Singapore’s largest trading partner. It would be dangerous to fall completely on either side.
當新加坡選擇任何一方時，都會冒犯對方。美國可以爲新加坡提供安全保障，而中國是新加坡最大的貿易夥伴。完全倒向任何一方都是危險的。
Advantages are often disadvantages, and disadvantages sometimes become advantages. Due to its unique geographical location and strong economic strength, Singapore is bound to be exposed to many international influences. Singapore is a multi-ethnic and independent country with its own views and positions, and acts on principle in all circumstances. Therefore, Singapore would do well not to take sides and remain neutral.
優點往往是缺點，缺點有時又變成優點。新加坡由于其獨特的地理位置和強大的經濟實力，必然會受到許多國際影響。新加坡是一個多民族的獨立國家，有自己的觀點和立場，在任何情況下都要按原則辦事。因此，新加坡最好不要選邊站隊，保持中立。
At the same time, the key to solving this problem lies not in Singapore, but in China and the United States, and even in the White House. The “magic president” Trump has added a lot of uncertainty and destruction to the world. Forcing any country to take sides will make them uncomfortable. Most importantly, all countries will lose.
同時，解決這個問題的關鍵不在于新加坡，而在于中美，甚至在于白宮。“魔法總統”特朗普曾給世界增添了許多不確定性和破壞力。強迫任何國家選邊站都會讓他們感到不舒服。最重要的是，所有國家都會輸。
Like I said at the beginning, kids pick sides in fights, while adults should weigh pros and cons when doing things.
就像我一開始說的，孩子在打架時會選擇立場，而成年人在做事時應該權衡利弊。
Finally, I want to say that I like Singaporean stars very much. When we were young, we were very fond of the TV dramas of Consort Kwok and Siu-Jin Cheng. My school days were accompanied by Stefanie’s song, Bless Singapore.
最後，我想說，我非常喜歡新加坡的明星。當我們年輕的時候，我們非常喜歡郭妃麗和鄭秀珍的電視劇。我的學生時代伴隨著孫燕姿的歌，保佑新加坡。
海外網友楊潇的回答
Russian President Vladimir Putin, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and US Vice President Mike Pence pose for a group photo during the 13th East Asia Summit in Singapore, Nov 15, 2015.
11月15日，在新加坡舉行的第13屆東亞峰會上，俄羅斯總統普京、新加坡總理李顯龍、泰國總理巴育和美國副總統彭斯合影留念。
The city-state of Singapore has established itself as a financial, trade and investment hub in Southeast Asia. Singapore is a small territory, so people and businesses must rely on close ties with international companies.
新加坡這個城市國家已經樹立了其作爲東南亞地區金融、貿易和投資中心的形象。新加坡的領土面積很小，因此人民和企業必須依靠與國際公司的緊密聯系。
In diplomatic disputes, Singapore has a strong economic incentive to remain neutral and forge friendships with anyone interested in expanding their business in the city-state.
在外交爭端中，新加坡有強烈的經濟動機保持中立，並與任何有意在這個城市國家擴大業務的人建立友誼。
Even if there is a major dispute between Asian countries, Singapore will not take sides unless it is something directly related to them. Therefore, if Japan and South Korea have a disagreement, the Singapore government will urge the international community to ease tensions, but if Malaysia infringes on Singapore’s territorial sovereignty, Singapore will fight back.
即使亞洲國家之間發生重大爭端，新加坡也不會偏袒任何一方，除非是與他們直接相關的事情。因此，如果日本和韓國發生分歧，新加坡政府會敦促國際社會緩和緊張局勢，但如果馬來西亞侵犯新加坡的領土主權，新加坡將予以反擊。
Singapore is very proud of its sovereignty and all able-bodied adult males are required to do military service for about two years. They learn to adapt to strict military discipline, stay in shape to maintain combat readiness, and work in a cohesive way with a team of citizens of all backgrounds, rich and poor.
新加坡對自己的主權非常自豪，所有身體健全的成年男性都必須服兵役兩年左右。他們學會適應嚴格的軍事紀律，保持體形以保持戰備狀態，並以一種有凝聚力的方式與一個由各種背景的公民組成的團隊合作，無論貧富。
Despite its small size, Singapore can boast of having a strong armed forces that can stand up to adversaries if necessary. Singapore’s independence is deeply rooted in the hearts of its citizens, which allows them to remain neutral without fear of the possible negative consequences of taking such a stance.
盡管國土面積小，但新加坡擁有一支值得誇耀的強大的武裝部隊，可以在必要時對抗對手。新加坡的獨立深深紮根于其公民的心中，這使得他們可以保持中立，而不必擔心采取這種立場可能帶來的負面後果。
As a result, Chinese companies and investors are thriving in Singapore, but Americans enjoy the same privileges. If Singapore takes sides between Beijing and Washington, it will lose out in international deals.
因此，中國公司和投資者在新加坡蓬勃發展，但美國人也享受著同樣的特權。如果新加坡在北京和華盛頓之間站隊，它將在國際交易中吃虧。
The late Apple founder Steve Jobs was once asked why he never disclosed the political organizations he donated to or told Americans whether he voted Democratic or Republican. He responded that if he disclosed his political leanings, Apple would lose half of its customer base.
已故的蘋果公司創始人史蒂夫·喬布斯曾經被問到，爲什麽他從來沒有披露過他捐贈的政治組織，也沒有告訴美國人他是投票給民主黨還是共和黨。他回應說，如果他披露自己的政治傾向，蘋果將失去一半的客戶群。
That’s a good answer for a businessman. If Jobs had said he was a Republican, Democrats would have boycotted Apple, and vice versa. The same is true of Singapore when it comes to Sino-US diplomatic tussles.
這對商人來說是個好答案。如果喬布斯說他是共和黨人，民主黨人就會抵制蘋果，反之亦然。在中美外交角力方面，新加坡也是如此。
Singapore is a cosmopolitan city-state that welcomes foreign businesses from all over the world. Indians can open a clothing store in the city-state and Pakistani retailers can do the same. Local government officials simply insisted that foreigners remain peaceful and not attack others because of religious, ethnic or racial differences.
新加坡是一個國際化的城市國家，歡迎來自世界各地的外國企業。印度人可以在這個城市國家開一家服裝店，巴基斯坦零售商也可以這樣做。當地政府官員只是堅持要求外國人保持和平，不要因爲宗教、民族或種族差異而攻擊他人。
Singapore welcomes people of different backgrounds, religions, countries and races to live together in peace, and that is why Singapore is so successful.We can learn about Singapore’s model of diplomatic neutrality through an article from Channel NewsAsia:
新加坡歡迎不同背景、不同宗教、不同國家、不同種族的人和平共處，這就是新加坡如此成功的原因。我們可以通過亞洲新聞頻道的一篇文章來了解新加坡外交中立模式：
According to Channel News Asia, Mr Chan said that looking overseas, as Singapore’s hinterland, it is necessary for us to better connect with the world and access resources and markets.
據亞洲新聞頻道報道:陳振聰表示，放眼海外，作爲新加坡的腹地，我們有必要更好地與世界接軌，獲取資源和市場。
This means expanding the market portfolio to spread risk and moving beyond the traditional dimensions of air, land and sea connectivity into areas such as data, finance, talent and technology.
這意味著擴大市場組合以分散風險，並超越空中、陸地和海上連通的傳統維度，進入數據、金融、人才和技術等領域。
He added that as global production and supply chains shift, Singapore must remain agile to adapt to these changes.
他補充說，隨著全球生産和供應鏈的轉變，新加坡必須保持敏捷，以適應這些變化。”
Singapore’s Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing explained the city-state’s strict neutrality in May 2018.
新加坡貿易和工業部長陳振聲在2018年5月解釋了這個城市國家的嚴格中立。
Therefore, Singapore should not side with Beijing or Washington, which may be beneficial to many other countries. The city-state could act as a mediator, resolving diplomatic disputes and bringing peace to Asia and the world.
因此，新加坡不應該站在北京或華盛頓一邊，這可能對許多其他國家有利。這個城邦可以扮演調停者的角色，解決外交爭端，爲整個亞洲乃至世界帶來和平。
新加坡網友詹姆斯•吳的回答
Singapore continues to exist only because it adheres to the global order of the Westphalian system, which is based on territorial sovereignty regardless of its size. In other words, a small country like Singapore cannot exist in an unprincipled world where might makes right. Singapore is divided by treaty, not geography or a long history.
新加坡繼續存在，只是因爲它遵守威斯特伐利亞體系的全球秩序，該體系的基礎是領土主權，而不論其大小。換句話說，像新加坡這樣的小國不可能在一個強權即公理的無原則世界中存在。新加坡是由條約劃分的，而不是地理位置或悠久的曆史。
Internationally, Singapore has always been a principled nation, with an extraordinary voice as a small island nation of six million people. We are honest and thoughtful realists with a long-term vision.
在國際上，新加坡一直是一個有原則的國家，作爲一個擁有600萬人口的小島國，新加坡有著非凡的發言權。我們是誠實和深思熟慮的現實主義者，有長遠的眼光。
Neutrality provides room for diplomatic maneuverability and flexibility. We don’t have to bind our foreign policy strictly to the whims of great powers like America’s Allies. Japan and South Korea have greatly benefited from US protection, but, as President Trump has shown, they could be subject to blackmail. An alliance with any one power could undermine our freedom of action in domestic and foreign policy.
中立性爲外交上的可操作性和靈活性提供了空間。我們不必把我們的外交政策嚴格地束縛在像美國盟友這樣的大國的心血來潮中。日本和韓國從美國的保護中受益匪淺，但正如特朗普總統所表現的那樣，它們可能受到勒索。與任何一個大國結盟都可能損害我們在內政和外交政策上的行動自由。
Protecting country has influence over us and can dictate to us. And you don’t want nasty westerners lecturing us on human rights and democracy, do you? Nor do we want to become a vassal state of China and part of the “Greater China region,” as so many sadly misguided ultranationalists believe.
保護國會對我們有影響力，可以向我們發號施令。你也不想讓討厭的西方人在人權和民主問題上教化我們，對吧?我們也不想成爲中國的附屬國，成爲“大中華區”的一部分，就像許多可悲的誤入歧途的極端民族主義者所認爲的那樣。
Staying neutral allows us to get the maximum economic and security benefits from both powers. I’ve heard it called “strategic .” In fact, I think a certain amount of U.S.-China competition is good for small countries like ours. The balance of power is a good thing because it creates strategic space for us. Small countries exist in the gap between big countries. When great powers collude, look at the partition of Poland, etc.
保持中立使我們能夠從兩個大國那裏獲得最大的經濟和安全利益。我聽說這被稱爲“戰略性外交”。事實上，我認爲一定程度的美中競爭對我們這樣的小國是有好處的。力量平衡是一件好事，因爲它爲我們創造了戰略空間。小國在大國之間的夾縫中生存。當大國勾結時，看看瓜分波蘭，等等。
Regional considerations: The ASEAN Free Trade Area Treaty prohibits outside powers from interfering in the internal affairs of the region. Traditionally, Indonesia and Malaysia have not been friendly to intervention by outside powers in the region or to our policy of promoting a US military presence
區域考慮:東盟東盟自貿區條約禁止外部勢力幹涉該區域的內部事務。傳統上，印尼和馬來西亞對該地區的外部勢力幹預或我們促進美國軍事存在的政策並不友好。
Ethnic sensitivity: alliance with China may destroy the structure of our multicultural and multi-ethnic society, which will also prove that Malaysia and Indonesia suspect that we are the “third China”. China also firmly implements the nonalignment policy. Undoubtedly, the majority of Singapore’s population may be distant relatives in terms of culture and race, but politically, we are a sovereign country. We are not loyal to China and have absolutely no obligation to bow to its interests. Our location is in Southeast Asia, alongside our neighboring countries.
民族敏感性:與中國結盟可能會破壞我們多元文化、多民族社會的結構，也將證實馬來西亞和印度尼西亞對我們是“第三中國”的懷疑，中國也堅定執行不結盟政策。毫無疑問:新加坡的大多數人口可能是文化和種族上的遠親，但在政治方面，我們是一個主權國家。我們不效忠中國，也絕對沒有義務向其利益卑躬屈膝。我們的位置在東南亞，和我們的鄰國在一起。