Walter Woon

Walter Woon

Singapore's former Ambassador to Germany and the European Union

Walter Woon is Lee Kong Chian Visiting Professor at Singapore Management University, an honorary fellow at St John's College, Cambridge, an emeritus professor at the National University of Singapore. His research interests are in criminal law, company law and international law. He was a Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) (1992–1996), and legal adviser to the President and Council of Presidential Advisers (1995-1997). Professor Woon was also Singapore's ambassador to Germany (1998-2003) with concurrent accreditation to Greece (2000-2003), and Singapore's ambassador to Belgium (2003-2006) with concurrent accreditation to the European Commission, the Holy See, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. He was Singapore's Attorney-General from 2008-2010. 

People taking photos at the Jubilee Bridge overlooking the CBD/Raffles Place financial district on 1 March 2023. (SPH Media)

Singapore’s role as a neutral interpreter of China to the West

Professor Walter Woon says that Singapore’s close relationship with both the West and China gives it a unique advantage as a more neutral interpreter of China for the Western world. The country is also well-placed to help reduce tensions between the US and China.
This file photo shows soldiers from the Peoples' Liberation Army (PLA) during a flag raising ceremony, 30 June 2019. (Isaac Lawrence/AFP)

China and America: The power of historical memory

Walter Woon, Singapore's former ambassador to Germany and the European Union observes America's ongoing Confrontation with the PRC, a returning power. He says indiscriminate attacks on "the Chinese" will provoke a nationalist backlash fuelled by the memory of historical oppression and racism. This Confrontation will consume resources better utilised to recover from Covid-19. It is necessary that one learns the lessons of history to avoid one's downfall.