Goh Choon Kang

Goh Choon Kang

Former journalist and MP, Republic of Singapore

Goh Choon Kang is a former journalist. He was previously a journalist with Nanyang Siang Pau, and was also on Lianhe Zaobao's editorial committee, as well as the head of its news desk and commentary team. He was a Member of Parliament for the Republic of Singapore from 1984 to 2001.

People crossing the street in front of the Paramount Global headquarters in Times Square, New York City, 8 August 2023. (Michael M. Santiago/AFP)

The global south and global north: Where does Singapore belong?

Former journalist Goh Choon Kang notes the gap between the global north and global south, with more affluent countries not delivering on promises and commitments made to less developed countries. Is there hope of reconciling the strong and the weak?
People make their way around Times Square on 7 June 2023 in New York City, US. (Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images/AFP)

China and US: Who is the ticking time bomb?

US President Joe Biden raised hackles with his recent comment about China being a “ticking time bomb”, alongside observations about its economy and unemployment rate. Former journalist Goh Choon Kang examines the question of who is more likely to be a time bomb, and highlights that it serves no purpose for the US and China to be pointing fingers at each other.
A street sign is displayed before pedestrians on a street in New York on 26 May 2023. (Ed Jones/AFP)

Decoupling by another name: The risks of de-risking from China

Former journalist Goh Choon Kang notes that while talk of decoupling has changed to de-risking, the strategic intent behind it, targeting China, has not changed. But just relying on allies is not the best solution, and countries in Asia affected by the tide of de-risking would need to work together to jointly uphold multilateralism and free trade.
The audience at the 20th IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, 2 June 2023, including China’s Defence Minister Li Shangfu (left). (Caroline Chia/Reuters)

Maintaining the status quo: US and China have clashing interpretations

Former journalist Goh Choon Kang says the recent non-dialogue between China and the US at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore shows the two countries’ very different interpretations of maintaining the status quo, and their differing strategic goals. Moreover, the growing rivalry between both sides will bring spillover effects to the entire Asia-Pacific region.
Ukrainian artillerymen prepare a BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launcher to fire towards Russian positions on the frontline, in Donetsk region on 17 April 2023. (Anatolii Stepanov/AFP)

Arms dealers cannot be peacemakers: Europe is a lesson for Asia

Even as Asia-Pacific countries want to focus on trade and economic cooperation, geopolitical tussling — especially between the US and China — has got in the way of such efforts. Former journalist and MP Goh Choon Kang says that at a time when arms dealers have apparently become peacemakers, countries of this region must stay focused and not be sidetracked and dictated by the powers.
A cyclist rides on a bicycle past a house destroyed by shelling in Hostomel near Kyiv, on 19 March 2023, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Sergei Chuzavkov/AFP)

The hypocrisy of big country politics in the Ukraine war

Former journalist Goh Choon Kang notes that while Singapore’s stand against the Russian invasion of Ukraine is clear, the conditions that led to the current situation are complicated, beginning with Ukraine's internal politics that weakened it considerably for others to take advantage of.
Delegates attend the handover ceremony during the G20 Summit in Bali, Indonesia, on 16 November 2022. (Willy Kurniawan/Pool/AFP)

Chinese balloon saga jeopardises 'Asian peace'

For years after the Cold War, given its military dominance, the US saw itself as instrumental to maintaining an “Asian peace”. With that mindset, the more it perceives China as a threat to its Asian primacy, the more it will be on the defensive. In truth, Asian peace was achieved through various efforts, and Asia-Pacific countries all have a stake in seeing it maintained.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is seen ahead of the Global Fund Seventh Replenishment Conference in New York on 21 September 2022. (Ludovic Marin/AFP)

Germany and Europe a pawn of the US?

Analysing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s recent visit to China, former journalist Goh Choon Kang offers the view that Germany — along with much of Europe — has been “weaponised” by the US for its own aims, whether in terms of China policy or the war in Ukraine. This is a clear lesson for other countries, those in Southeast Asia included.
China's State Councilor and Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe gestures before a plenary session during the 19th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, 12 June 2022. (Caroline Chia/Reuters)

China at the centre of the world’s politics

Former journalist Goh Choon Kang observes that whether it is the discussions at the recently concluded Shangri-La Dialogue or the larger machinations of geopolitics, it cannot be denied that having China in the picture changes many things, and perhaps even provides countries with more strategic options.