Ep. 358 | The History of Singapore (Part 10)

Ep. 358 | The History of Singapore (Part 10)

Author: Laszlo Montgomery January 19, 2025 Duration: 47:39

First of all, to all of you who lasted through the entire series up to this concluding episode, I extend to you, my deepest appreciation. I hope you learned a few things about Singapore.

Here it is, the final installment of the series. I worked on this particular episode during my Oct-Nov China-HK-Cambodia trip. I recorded this one in Phnom Penh at the home studio of Dr. Digby James Wren. Digby's a long-time CHP listener and I gave him a ring when I hit town. Fortunately, he was in PP and generously spent a couple of days with me showing me around the city.

The series finishes off with the most recent history of Singapore, including the Goh Chok Tong and Lee Hsien Loong period from 1990-2024. Everything from the 1970s to the present day is also squeezed into Part 10. Many of you might remember some of these blasts from the past.

I'll also look at Singapore-PRC relations and how things developed in recent decades. This final episode will be released on January 19, 2025. I recorded it at Digby Wren's studio in early November and it's been available on my Patreon and CHP Premium channels since then. And now finally, here it is. A special thanks to all Singaporeans and expats there who wrote to me over the past few months with your kind words.

Special thanks to Dr. Digby James Wren for allowing me the use of his Phnom Penh Studio!

Find him at:

https://substack.com/@thechairlive

https://longmekong.substack.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices


For more than a decade, Laszlo Montgomery has been guiding audiences through the vast and intricate tapestry of Chinese civilization on The China History Podcast. This isn't a dry recitation of dates and dynasties, but a deeply researched exploration of the people, ideas, and events that have shaped one of the world's oldest continuous cultures. Each episode feels like a focused conversation, unpacking a specific theme, figure, or era with a clarity that makes complex history accessible. You'll find episodes delving into the philosophical foundations laid by Confucius and Laozi, the machinations of imperial courts, the transformative impact of the Silk Road, and the profound changes of the modern age. With a catalog surpassing 350 episodes, the journey spans from deepest antiquity to contemporary times, offering a comprehensive resource for both newcomers and seasoned enthusiasts. Laszlo's steady narration and careful curation build connections across centuries, revealing how the past continuously informs the present. Tuning into this podcast is an ongoing education, revealing the incredible depth and diversity of Chinese history, society, and culture, one story at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The China History Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Ep. 369 | Chenxiang, Pound for Pound, Costs More than Gold [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:40
Here's something a little different from the usual CHP fare. It concerns a natural substance that's not too well-known outside of Asia, mainly because it's so dang expensive! Chénxiāng 沉香 or Agarwood as it's also known,…
Ep. 368 | Wang Jingwei [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:14
Hi Everyone, just coming up for air. This is actually one of the several new episodes that have been available on Patreon and CHP Premium since July, three months ago. This is a brief overview of the life and times of Wa…
Introducing The Chinatown Sting: Lucky Bird [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:57
Here's a preview of a new podcast, The Chinatown Sting, from our friends at Pushkin Industries. In the late 1980s, a group of women connected through the mahjong parlors in Manhattan's Chinatown were caught in a massive…
Ep. 367 | The Unsung Chinese Heroes of D-Day [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:45
Here's another quickie for you, only a half hour long. It seems not only are the portions at fast-food chains shrinking, so are the CHP episodes. Thanks to a team of amateur historians, WWII enthusiasts, and survivors, t…
Ep. 366 | The Guangxi Massacre [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:44
This is a rather long episode, running at just about one hour. The Guangxi Massacre is one of those dark chapters from the Cultural Revolution. Down in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, it was particularly dark. I wa…
Ep. 364 | Wade and Giles [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:29
Here's a nice little standalone episode on the life and work of Thomas Wade and Herbert Giles. And you can't mention Herbert Giles without mentioning his son, Lionel Giles. And of course, Robert Morrison must be mentione…
Ep. 363 | The Lin Biao Incident (Part 2) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:26
This is only a 2-parter, so this exciting episode will bring the curtain down on Lin Biao and his famous "Incident." We resume the story following the 1970 Lushan Plenum. Lin, or Lin's ambitious manipulators, pushed Chai…
Ep. 362 | The Lin Biao Incident (Part 1) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:50
This is Part 1 of a 2-Part series looking at the life of Lin Biao and the actual Lin Biao Incident itself. This bit of history is documented to death. I downloaded a dozen scholarly papers, read a few books, went through…
Ep. 361 | McKinley, Tariffs, and the Open Door Policy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:49
Just in time for Liberation Day, I'm presenting this timely episode. Back in 1890, with the aim of protecting American companies from foreign competition, tariffs were jacked up significantly. With all the advances in tr…