Quora Answer: Would Singapore Maintain Its Relevance within the Asia Pacific as Neighbouring Countries Develop?

The following is my answer to a Quora question: “How could Singapore maintain its current position and relevance within Asia Pacific ,as neighbouring countries develop and catch up over time?”

You have the impression that this is some sort of zero sum where the development and advancement of one nation necessitates the decline of another.  That is not how this works.  In fact, it benefits Singapore when our neighbours are prosperous.  Prosperous nations create more value in trade and engagement.

Singapore’s value proposition is as an international centre for trade, finance and business.  It has invested in its infrastructure and human resource, it has put effort in its branding, and it has worked diligently in joining and expanding international organisations and partnerships.  It recognises its size and lack of hinterland, so it integrates itself into the larger international ecosystem.

The last point is important.  By being integral to the international order, Singapore’s relevance and importance grows as the countries around the region prosper.  There is always a need for a neutral centre for arbitration, finance and diplomacy.  Big and intermediate powers will contend with each other, but there is always a need for a neutral party to mediate contentions and deal with each other.