When Singapore and China formalised diplomatic relations on Oct 3, 1990, it was a no-fuss affair held in a function room at the United Nations complex in New York.

After signing a communique within two minutes, their foreign ministers Wong Kan Seng and Qian Qichen shook hands and made a “toast to our friendship”.

This year, the two countries mark the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations with a series of events and activities, capped by the exchange of state visits by President Tony Tan Keng Yam and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, who arrives in Singapore today.

That day in October 1990 was the fruition of two important visits – the first by then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew to China in 1976, followed by Chinese patriarch Deng Xiao- ping’s visit to Singapore in 1978.

… Singapore-based analyst Hoo Tiang Boon of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies said Singapore also faces the challenge of striking a delicate balance between China and the United States.

“This is not a new factor, but Singapore must constantly be alert to ‘new’ dynamics that point to the development of a serious rivalry between the US and China,” he added.