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Letter

China and Russia’s absence at G-20: A silent but powerful protest

Teo Kueh Liang, responding to the Straits Times Editorial, emphasized the significant absence of China and Russia at the G-20 summit. He highlighted their critical roles in addressing global issues such as climate change and debt distress. Their non-participation, seen as a protest against U.S. actions, affects the summit’s potential for achieving meaningful resolutions.

Published

1 year ago

on

by Mr Teo Kueh Liang

I refer to the Straits Times Editorial, “G-20 summit promises partial success” (8 Sep).

The G20, without the participation of the leaders of China and Russia will definitely be lackluster or inferior.

As China and Russia did not take part in the forum on the pressing issues facing the world such as the climate change, food and energy security and debt distress in the developing countries will have difficulty for the G-20 to reach an concerted, workable consensus.

In view of the two of the largest carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the world – China and Russia have clearly explained the attendance and participation of Chinese and Russian leaders in the G-20 are important and necessary.

So that, the governments of China and Russia could make meaningful contributions or commitments to tackle the issues of climate change.

For example, China grew 10% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2023, rising approximately 1% above the record levels seen in 2021 (The new analysis by CREA).

And, Russia’s 4% greenhouse gas emissions are mostly from fossil gas, oil and coal. Russia emits 2 or 3 billion tonnes CO2eq of greenhouse gases each year; about 4% of world emissions.

In regards to improving and enhancing food and energy security, the world leaders of G-20 spare no effort to be concerned about the world’s capacity to feed its burgeoning population and expressing serious concerns about the unsecured fluctuations and instability of energy supplies.

Hence, It is especially imperative for the leaders of China and Russia to actively get involved in the G-20 summit for problem-solving when the persistence of Ukrainian war has not released a glimmer of peace.

It will be ideal, or in a win-win situation if the top leaders of China and Russia could participate in the summit of G-20 to discuss how to help debt-ridden countries to
deal with and mediate debt repayment duration, disputes and problems.

I think the main reason why Chinese President Xi Jinping did not attend the G-20 is mainly because the United States continues to impose sanctions and suppress Chinese companies in the United States and is unable to fulfill its commitments to the Chinese government.

As for the reason why Russian President Vladimir Putin did not attend the G-20, it is also because the United States and its NATO allies continue to support and supply arms to Ukraine and continue to impose economic sanctions on Russia.

This move by China and Russia can be said to be a silent and most powerful protest.

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Letter

Letter: A reflection on Singapore’s political decline

Letter writer chimes in, noting that Singapore’s political leadership today seems more focused on self-interest than public good, with rising inequality, lack of transparency, and policies that burden the vulnerable.

Published

1 week ago

on

9 September 2024

By

by Lawrence Siow

I’ve lived long enough to know that no one knows everything. That said, I also know a few things for certain. Like those in power tend to do whatever they want, often to their own benefit and at the expense of the weak and underprivileged. They do this because they can. Then they will come up with all sorts of reasons and dumb excuses why it had to be done.

Someone said, “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely”, for a very good reason. Power is both addictive and intoxicating. Very few can handle it for long and not go bad. This is human nature.

Just look at the world today. It’s a big mess because no leader possesses integrity or credibility. They simply can’t be trusted. They all have their personal agendas. Or look at Singapore. Even if you argue that we are miles ahead of our neighbouring countries and better than most (which we are), things are going south. The quality and calibre of our political leadership have diminished with each generation. Why?

The reason is simple and clear – unlike our founding fathers, today they are in office more for themselves than for the good of society. It’s not that they haven’t done anything good or beneficial. Of course they have, but it isn’t their priority. They do enough to get by, to show the public they’re doing their job but behind the scenes, they and their cronies get rewarded big time.

The lack of transparency and accountability, ownself check ownself, unequal distribution of wealth, perceived gerrymandering, making money out of everything, even public housing or healthcare, raising Godds & Service Tax which then causes a spike in the cost of living and then giving handouts and vouchers for wayang…this really gets my goat.

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Letter

Understanding Singapore’s fertility challenge: More than just incentives

Letter: Singapore’s ongoing efforts to boost its fertility rate, despite various incentives, face hurdles due to modern life stresses and personal concerns. Procreation, deeply personal and influenced by multifaceted challenges, demands understanding and respect for individual choices.

Published

1 year ago

on

15 September 2023

By

by Teo Kueh Liang

I refer to the Straits Times report, “Beyond money: Why financial incentives alone aren’t encouraging more births It’s all in the head” (14 Sep).

Most developed countries’ population is shrinking, which will be an inevitable trend. Singapore is following suit.

Usually, a country encourages its people to have more children based on the following considerations:

  1. Sustainably maintain a sufficient workforce, strengthen the country’s economy
  2. Prevent or delay population aging
  3. Reduce the financial burden on existing taxpayers
  4. Cut the reliance upon foreign immigrants.
  5. Ensuring a sufficient supply of soldiers

The increase of population is indeed in the interest of a nation.

Since 1987, the Singaporean government has actively encouraged its married people (especially those young married couples) to have more children.

The relevant authorities have worked hard, spent huge sums of money, and used a lot of human and material resources to promote procreation.

The government has introduced initiatives to encourage marriage and raise fertility, such as Housing Grants, the MediSave Grant for Newborns, Baby Bonus, affordable and quality preschool education for all, the KidStart programme, and shared parental leave.

However, its results have always been unsatisfactory; they have not reached the pre-set goal of 2.1 replacement fertility rate.

Why is the country’s fertility rate so low? Let’s analyze some possible reasons:

  1. Due to the hustle and bustle of life and high costs of living.
  2. Due to stiff competitions in jobs of this cosmopolitan city, most people are struggling to make a decent living in order to put foods on the table, and people have no desire of priority in the thought of procreation.
  3. Many salaried employees are worried that the economic uncertainty and downturn will affect their company’s business, which will lead to the instability of their jobs and affect their mood for procreation.
  4. Many people worry that raising children is a lifelong matter. Couples must be mentally prepared to a certain extent and must sacrifice their own time, energy and money to plan how to raise children from birth to graduation from college.
  5. Some married couples also worry about having unhealthy babies, such as those born with rare congenital or autistic syndromes.
  6. Certainly, some married couples are unsuitable to have children because of their medical conditions.

Although having children is indeed a natural responsibility, it is originally a joyful thing, and a couple can enjoy the happiness of a family. But it varies from person to person.

Anyway, the subject of procreation is very personal. There is no right and wrong answer to it, and we should respect each individual’s decision.

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