S1E1: Analysing sentiments of some pro-China Singaporeans and differing views over Ukraine crisis

Synopsis: The Straits Times' opinion editor Grace Ho takes a hard look at political and social issues of the day with her expert guests.  In this first episode, she looks at the sentiments of pro-China Singaporeans, especially against the backdrop of the ongoing war in Ukraine. Helping her make sense of this small but increasingly vocal group of Singaporeans, as well as the many narratives surrounding the conflict, is Political Science Associate Professor Ian Chong from the National University of Singapore. Highlights (click/tap above): 03:23 On the claim that Singapore is "following" the Western posture instead of a supposedly "Asian" or "Asean" one: Why such "easy labels" cannot be easily applied in complex geopolitical and cultural debates? 06:24 How much of this is due to misinformation, or disinformation or propaganda by pro-China or pro-Russia camps? 10:58 Beyond what is happening in Ukraine, why are some Singaporeans are so strongly supportive of China? Is it just ties of ethnicity or plain business? 16:05 Why it is simplistic to attribute such sentiments purely to ethnicity 17:30 Prof Chong on the role the media can play, when even within mainstream media and vernacular media, this tension is being played out in the coverage of the Ukraine crisis 19:40 Has national education suffered, partly because there is not much publicly available information about detailed considerations and sensitive closed-door negotiations Produced by: Grace Ho ([email protected]), Ernest Luis and Teo Tong Kai Edited by: Hadyu Rahim Watch China calling - The growing allure of a rising power here: https://str.sg/w7Q4 Follow In Your Opinion Podcast each month here: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: [email protected]  Grace Ho's articles: https://str.sg/w7sr Read ST's Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH --- Discover ST's special edition podcasts: Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2 Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn --- Discover more ST podcast series: Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m SG Extra: https://str.sg/wukR #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #inyouropinionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.