A tale of two cities: Singapore, Hong Kong and their contrasting paths

South China Morning PostCenter-RightEN 2 min read 100% complete by An excerptFebruary 1, 2026 at 07:00 AM

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In his memoir, historian Wang Gungwu reflects on his move from Hong Kong to Singapore in the 1990s. He contrasts the two cities, noting that Hong Kong, primarily Cantonese-speaking, focused on its impending return to China, hoping for reforms within the mainland. Singapore, on the other hand, was a republic committed to a CMIO (Chinese-Malay-Indian-Others) nationhood. Wang highlights that Singapore's leaders, including Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Chok Tong, prioritized stable political power to ensure prosperity for the port city. He also mentions his work on contemporary China with Singapore's research institutes. The memoir explores Wang's life across various locations and his perspectives on changes in China and the world.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

British ×240% London 40% Australia 40% Malaya 50% People's Republic of China 50% Goh Chok Tong 60% Margaret ×260% Lee Kuan Yew 70% China ×480% Wang Gungwu ×390% Hong Kong ×795% Singapore ×695%

Keywords

hong kong 100% singapore 100% city comparison 80% political systems 70% cultural identity 60% economic development 60% cmio 50% wang gungwu 50% lee kuan yew 40% goh chok tong 40%