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Hong Kong customs seize shipment of nine armoured military vehicles from Taiwan bound for Singapore

Terrex Incident – What a lonely feeling

By Chua Chin Leng | TR EMERITUS (2016-12-31)


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When Aquino was provoking China with his kangaroo court rulings on the SCS island claims, Singapore was quite vocal about ASEAN unity, that ASEAN should stand together as a grouping and take a common stand. Singapore’s policy is for a united ASEAN to face external threats and issues. Singapore’s support for Aquino’s claim on Chinese islands need no further elaboration. Several ASEAN countries too were behind the Aquino govt, including Vietnam and Malaysia, both claimant countries. Japan and the USA and the western countries too were parroting that the kangaroo court rulings were legal and binding. These supports gave the Aquino govt a false sense of victory, that the western world was behind the Filipino claims. There was strength in numbers. At least Aquino did not feel alone.

Singapore is now having a little problem with China, a good friend according to Vivian Balakrishnan who said he could sleep well over the Terrex Incident. More than a month has passed and the armoured personnel carriers are still in Hong Kong with no further news. The Hong Kong/China side was silent and no one knows how long this matter would drag.

What is surprising is that no country, or at least that was what I have read in the media, has come out in support of the Singapore govt, to give encouragement and moral support to Singapore, a show or unity and solidarity. No ASEAN state has spoken out on the issue in favour of Singapore or to put pressure on China. Where is the ASEAN unity and solidarity? Anyone thinking he is the leader of ASEAN and mustering the ASEAN states to go against China? Should not one or two ASEAN countries be calling for ASEAN countries to unite behind Singapore? There was or were leaders herding the ASEAN states against China in the SCS claims and the kangaroo court rulings. Where have they gone to? Maybe the Terrex Incident is a different issue that does not need ASEAN unity or ASEAN to front out for Singapore, to speak for Singapore, to put pressure on China.

What about the USA and Japan, staunch allies and friends of Singapore? Did they say anything and give some moral encouragement? Are the Americans and Japanese going to sail their navies into Hong Kong as a show of force? Did any of these big powers make presentation to China to help out Singapore?

Somehow I got this lonely feeling that Singapore is in this all alone. Where are Singapore’s friends? Where are the western media that thought it was their responsibility to lambast China on the SCS island dispute and daily blasted at China on the side of the Aquino govt? The western media have been exceptionally quiet about the Terrex Incident. It is all Singapore’s problem. Or all of them think Singapore can handle this alone. Maybe they believe Singapore govt can punch above its weight and Hong Kong/China would soon return the armoured personnel carriers without undue delay, without the need for them to blow their trumpets?

Is Singapore being left on the lurch, alone, to deal with the problem? Have they abandoned Singapore? What a lonely feeling. A friend in need is a friend indeed. This is a time when Singapore needs all its friends to stand up or to speak up, and the voices of the western media to blow up the issue.

Are you lonesome tonight? Oh, what a lonely feeling.

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Chua Chin Leng aka Redbean

*The writer blogs at My Singapore News.



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A heavy slap in the face for the high-falutin PM Lee Hsien Loong

By Yoong Siew Wah | TR EMERITUS (2016-12-26)

It was pointed out in my post titled “Is China flexing its muscles against Singapore?” on 29-11-16 that the issue of the nine Terrex armoured vehicles detained by Hong Kong Customs on 23-11-16 could evolve into a complex problem requiring an infinite time frame to resolve. Even the dispatch of a high level SAF Team to Hong Kong and the imploration of the Ministry of Defence (reported in the Straits Times today) could not appease an intractable China to relent. This shows the level of misgiving that China’s President Xi Jinping has towards a so-called untrustworthy PM Lee Hsien Loong who has evidently exasperated him with his pro-American antics to the point of disillusionment. It may not be too far-fetched if President Xi insists on the personal imploration of a demagogic PM Lee Hsien Loong before any benevolent move could be made to resolve the Terrex armoured vehicles issue. It may be a test of the mental prowess of the two leaders and if PM Lee foolishly stands his ground, it may be the end of the Terrex saga.

There is another interesting angle that may have been overlooked. In order to further humiliate Singapore and PM Lee (which again is not too far-fetched) China may lithely decide to impose a storage fee and a charge for providing guards to protect the armoured vehicles of a sum of a million dollars or more before the vehicles can be released. Of course there will be no problem for Singapore to pay up but it will have to live with it for a long time.

From this episode it may not be too brazen to say that President Xi may regard PM Lee as an American poodle which may affect his hitherto exemplary relationship with PM Lee. Hopefully this unfortunate narrative may transcend any deleterious effect which may befall on the economic front between Singapore and China which is mutually beneficial but more in favour of Singapore. President Xi is too magnanimous for that but on the other hand PM Lee must make a genuine effort to divest himself of his pro-American image to show a more balanced world view which is in Singapore’s interest.

American President Barrack Obama has shown exceptional affinity towards PM Lee in their relationship which may have an intoxicating effect on on PM Lee in relation to his pro-American antics. Whether the maverick President-Elect Donald Trump will continue this brotherly relationship after his inauguration is questionable because of his unpredictable character. For PM Lee this will be a lesson gained and, if learned, should stand him in good stead.

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* Mr Yoong Siew Wah was the director of Singapore’s Internal Security Department from 1971 to 1974. Before that, he was the director of the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB). Mr Yoong is now retired and blogs at Singapore Recalcitrant.

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Some commenters at tremeritus.com mentioned about "China is giving PM Lee a tight slap, for his ‘Kay Kian’ (act clever) attitude. How reckless had PM Lee been with his big mouth, interfering into the South China Sea case; made derogatory jokes about Beijing and Shanghai when visited US; at the Kangaroo Court of the Hague, he sided with US against China regarding South China Sea conflict; and with regard to the now just officially deceased TPP, Lee had the gall to say China was no longer the Middle Kingdom and not all roads lead to China."

All of these remarks by PM Lee well summarize his personal relation to the leaders in Beijing, as reflected in the Terrex Incident.

Btw. what an interesting Singaporean terminology - ‘Kay Kian’ (act clever) attitude, adding my list in addition to the "Kiasu".
 
What is surprising is that no country, or at least that was what I have read in the media, has come out in support of the Singapore govt, to give encouragement and moral support to Singapore, a show or unity and solidarity. No ASEAN state has spoken out on the issue in favour of Singapore or to put pressure on China. Where is the ASEAN unity and solidarity?

I guess the other ASEAN countries (indeed the rest of the world) think they can benefit more from friendly ties with China, after all we are their largest trading partner.

Anyway, Singapore should pay us for using up space at the Hong Kong docks.

Next time get a permit, especially for defence equipment.
 
Is China cocking a snook at the joker PM Lee Hsien Loong?

By Singapore Recalcitrant, 2017-01-09

The Parliamentary debate on 9 January on the seizure of the nine Terrex Infantry Carriers looked more like a colourful comic opera which the Singapore public has not had the privilege of witnessing for a long time. The star performer Defence Minister Dr. Ng Eng Hen was so ebullient in his bombastic discourse about Singapore Government's sovereign immunity that it might have convinced gullible Singaporeans about its legal validity but not an unsympathetic China. The Parliamentary spectacle was more likely intended to show the world the more iniquitous face of China in the so-called arbitrary seizure of the Terrex Infantry Carriers by Hong Kong Customs but has it ever occurred to the PAP wallahs that even the Singapore citizenry has remained reticent over the issue, not to mention support.

Quite significantly, the Chinese Foreign Ministry's spokesman has again re-iterated the One China principle which Singapore could meditate on seriously notwithstanding its vigorous profession of strict adherence to the One China principle. It has been repeatedly pointed out that the Terrex issue is going to be a complex problem requiring an infinite time frame to resolve. It is not something which a surly letter from the high-falutin PM Lee Hsien Loong to the Chief Executive of Hong Kong to demand the return of the seized armoured vehicles could resolve. The reply from Hong Kong is not very encouraging.

Cannot our thick-headed PM Lee sober up for once and think of a more civilised approach to China? For instance it does not lower PM Lee's world standing, if any, for him to appeal directly to President Xi Jinping of China sans any legal threat like the sovereign immunity for the return of the armoured vehicles. By now it should be abundantly clear to PM Lee and his Cabinet that there will be no resolution of the Terrex issue without President Xi's nod. The obvious alternative will be the prolonged detention of the Terrex armoured vehicles until some miraculous relenting of the part of China.

Whether China's relation with Singapore will return to its former exemplary state after this issue is resolved will depend on sincere efforts by both sides to realise this, but would depend more on the divestment of PM Lee's pro-American image. Another is the One China principle which China is not entirely happy that Singapore is earnestly adhering it. Of course Singaporeans will be elated to see a happy ending to this unfortunate episode which they think is of PAP leaders' own making.
 
At last, some good news. Hong Kong is giving Singapore 9 red-packets.

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Terrex vehicles will be returned to Singapore, says Hong Kong

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Six of the nine armoured troop carriers belonging to Singapore, from a shipment detained at a container terminal, are seen in Hong Kong, on Nov 24, 2016.PHOTO: REUTERS

PUBLISHED JAN 25, 2017, 5:00 AM SGT
Royston Sim Assistant Political Editor

The Hong Kong authorities will release the nine Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) armoured vehicles they have detained since November.

Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Hong Kong's Chief Executive Leung Chun Ying yesterday replied to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's earlier letter to inform him that the Hong Kong authorities have completed their investigations and "will be releasing the SAF Terrex Infantry Carrier Vehicles and other equipment to the Singapore Government" through the carrier.

"This is a positive outcome. Prime Minister Lee has replied to Chief Executive Leung to thank him for Hong Kong's cooperation in resolving this matter," the ministry said in a statement.

Hong Kong Customs had, on Nov 23, detained the nine Terrex vehicles and other equipment on board a container ship transiting there. The vehicles were bound for Singapore after an SAF military exercise in Taiwan. The shipment was impounded because vessel owner APL failed to provide appropriate permits for the vehicles, the South China Morning Post reported.

Earlier this month, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen told Parliament PM Lee had written to Mr Leung to request that the vehicles be returned.

Yesterday, Hong Kong Commissioner of Customs and Excise Roy Tang said Hong Kong had completed its investigation of the suspected breach. He added the investigation might lead to criminal prosecution.

APL said it is working with the relevant authorities and various stakeholders to ship the vehicles and related equipment back to Singapore.


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Hope that SG has learnt a good lesson.
Don't provoke the dragon, it will do you no good.
.
 
Hope that SG has learnt a good lesson.
Don't provoke the dragon, it will do you no good.
.

Yup, it sure is an eye opener on what a future powerful China will do to their small country neighbors if they don't follow China's dictates.
 
Yup, it sure is an eye opener on what a future powerful China will do to their small country neighbors if they don't follow China's dictates.

If countries wish to go against our national interests then of course we will retaliate.

Anyway I hope the Singapore government enjoyed their Lai see / Hong bao, and don't pass it through here (Hong Kong) again without a permit. It's wasting our valuable dock space.
 
Yup, it sure is an eye opener on what a future powerful China will do to their small country neighbors if they don't follow China's dictates.

It's an eye opener for small nations who think they are above sovereign law, in a foreign port. Do not dock with military equipment in a Chinese port without prior declaration and authorization, or the equipment will be impounded.
 
Yup, it sure is an eye opener on what a future powerful China will do to their small country neighbors if they don't follow China's dictates.

The lesson you have been taught is that, just as China recognizes and respects your sovereignty, you are to recognize and respect China's sovereignty.

In civilized world, such a lesson should not be required in the first place, and, if it ever needs to be taught, it should not be so difficult to learn at the first try.

Hope, Singapore now fits in the second case.

The existing powerful China won't for sure let pseudo states go rogue and amok, disrespecting China's territorial integrity and international conventions.
 
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Yup, it sure is an eye opener on what a future powerful China will do to their small country neighbors if they don't follow China's dictates.

That's right China dictates others to respect China's sovereignty, anything wrong with that? You either recognize the One China Policy and show you are committed to China's core foundation if your country wishes to have formal ties with the Asian Super Power or you keep on with that foolish attitude, the consequences shall be for Singapore to bear. Don't even for a second think USA can get away with Trumps' foolish remarks about the Two China Policy or stopping China from direct access to our sovereign territories in SCS. Let the Americans try if they have the guts to declare us war.
 
It's a kind gesture of the Spring festive seasons from the authority in China and HKSAR to the Merlion City state. The ruling elites there should learn from their past mistakes and avoid carrying on them to the future... for serious ignorance will have its own serious consequences.

The Chinese people have a saying like this: "If your strength is small, don’t carry heavy burdens. If your words are worthless, don’t give advice."


I believe in comprehending one's own size and strength is the first wise and correct thinking and move!
 
The lesson you have been taught is that, just as China recognizes and respects your sovereignty, you are to recognize and respect China's sovereignty.

In civilized world, such a lesson should not be required in the first place, and, if it ever needs to be taught, it should not be so difficult to learn at the first try.

Hope, Singapore now fits in the second case.

The existing powerful China won't for sure let pseudo states go rogue and amok, disrespecting China's territorial integrity and international conventions.

"Hong Kong Customs chief says Singapore gov’t was never part of investigation over seized military vehicles".
So its not the Singapore Government that is at fault here. For the record, I am not in favor of having Singapore military train in Taiwan. I am always puzzled why there is so much hate in Taiwan and Hong Kong with their mainland compatriots. I think I understand a bit now. This incident also make me wonder whether China is able to use its power in a benign way. China's adversary is the US and their allies, not Chinese majority Singapore. Singapore uses "Simple Chinese" to be in sync with China instead of "Traditional Chinese" shows where their support lies.
 
Singapore's Terrex carriers have left Hong Kong, says Ng Eng Hen
Singapore not the target of probe says Hong Kong customs
  • January 27, 2017 12:28 SGT
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Armored troop carriers, belonging to Singapore, are detained at a cargo terminal in Hong Kong, China November 28, 2016.

The nine Terrex infantry carrier vehicles of Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) seized and held in Hong Kong have been released and are on their way back, the defence minister has said.

"Our Terrexes left Hong Kong port this morning at 0415hrs. Next stop, home," Ng Eng Hen announced on Facebook on Friday morning. The vehicles, which were at the centre of a China-Singapore spat, will be shipped by APL, the same commercial carrier that ferried the SAF assets from Taiwan in November. The armoured carrier will arrive in Singapore in a week's time Ng said.

There was heavy security at the Hong Kong Customs compound where the Terrex carriers were kept before they were moved out and shipped to Singapore. Armed officers accompanied the convoy to a container terminal at the port, the South China Morning Post reported.

Singapore's Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had requested Singapore to release the vehicles quickly after they were confiscated on November 23. The vehicles had been shipped in a commercial carrier after they took part in a military training by the SAF in Taiwan.

The capture of the vehicles immediately caused a deterioration in Singapore's ties with China, its biggest trading partner. The seizure of military vehicles in self-ruled Hong Kong came in the wake of Singapore voicing its support to an international court's ruling that China could not claim wholesale sovereignty over the South China Sea.

The capture of vehicles was seen in Singapore as China's retaliation against it while Chinese state media warned the city state of being hypocritical. The Global Times launched stern criticism of Singapore over its Taiwan ties after the carriers were intercepted by Hong Kong customs. The communist party mouthpiece said Singapore was deliberately undermining the One-China principle which espouses the eventual merger of Taiwan with mainland under the same flag.

Though Singapore's military and other ties with Taiwan go back to the 1970s China's stance is that the island nation should not have continued the military partnership after it established diplomatic ties with Beijing in the 1990s.

Despite Singapore leadership asking Hong Kong to release the vehicles immediately the city government took time looking in to the breach of shipping rules that led to the confiscation. Earlier this week, Hong Kong's Commissioner of Customs and Excise Roy Tang said the SAF vehicles were seized because "there was a suspected breach of the Hong Kong law".

He did not say which parties were under scrutiny but clarified later that the probe would not target Singapore because the government was not found to be involved in any breach of shipping rules, TODAY reported.
 
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