Singapore, you’ve been left speechless.
At the ASEAN meeting, Singapore’s foreign minister nearly slammed the table, demanding that China “respect” the strategic hub status of Malacca.
Why the urgency? Because two things collided: the entire island of Hainan has entered a closed-door customs regime, and direct flights have opened on the Yаngpu—Batam island route.
Previously, ASEAN’s durians and palm oil had to go to Singapore first—“carpool” as a transit hub—so the journey took 20 days; now, heading straight to Hainan takes just 6 days, and the transit fees are also 40% cheaper.
In the first month after the customs closure, Yangpu’s throughput surged by 107.7%. Singapore’s re-export volume fell by 23% on cue, while the share of rubber and palm oil transit was cut in half—from 82% down to 45%.
Even more deadly is finance: with EF accounts, capital can move in and out freely, and RMB is settled directly—leaving both the U.S. dollar and Singapore banks out of the picture.
Singapore is a middleman that collects tolls; Hainan is the partner bringing everyone along to get rich—no flowers, plants, or weeds can stop the march of history.
At the ASEAN meeting, Singapore’s foreign minister nearly slammed the table, demanding that China “respect” the strategic hub status of Malacca.
Why the urgency? Because two things collided: the entire island of Hainan has entered a closed-door customs regime, and direct flights have opened on the Yаngpu—Batam island route.
Previously, ASEAN’s durians and palm oil had to go to Singapore first—“carpool” as a transit hub—so the journey took 20 days; now, heading straight to Hainan takes just 6 days, and the transit fees are also 40% cheaper.
In the first month after the customs closure, Yangpu’s throughput surged by 107.7%. Singapore’s re-export volume fell by 23% on cue, while the share of rubber and palm oil transit was cut in half—from 82% down to 45%.
Even more deadly is finance: with EF accounts, capital can move in and out freely, and RMB is settled directly—leaving both the U.S. dollar and Singapore banks out of the picture.
Singapore is a middleman that collects tolls; Hainan is the partner bringing everyone along to get rich—no flowers, plants, or weeds can stop the march of history.