GEORGE YEO: MUSINGS - SERIES TWO

Musings 1 and Musings 2 are available as a set here

Over sessions which lasted two to three hours each time, every week for half a year, George Yeo met and mused over a wide range of topics with writer Woon Tai Ho and research assistant Keith Yap. Speaking from notes, he began with himself and his hope for Singapore, and then spanned over a wide range of subjects — from the importance of human diversity and Singapore's reflection within itself of the world, to history, politics, economics, philosophy, taijigong and religion. He gives his views on India, China, ASEAN, Europe, the US and other parts of the world, and how Singapore's history and destiny are connected to all of them. The style is conversational and anecdotal.

George Yeo: Musings is exactly that — musings. Some themes recur throughout the book which reflect his view of life. But there is no grand theory. He does not expect all of his reflections to be of interest to everyone, but he hopes that everyone will find something of interest.

This is the second of a three-part series.

Contents:

• The Three Popes
• Vatican–China Relations
• Islam's Struggles
• Diversity of the Ummah
• European Smorgasbord
• The European Experiment
• Europe's De-Christianisation
• Changing Tides: Europe, Africa and Latin America
• Changing Tides: Japan
• Changing Tides: Korea
• Changing Tides: Rest of Asia
• Schooling in the US
• Saved in the US
• Singapore–US Relations
• US–China: Protracted Struggle
• Whither Pax Americana?
• ASEAN Dalam: Indonesia
• ASEAN Dalam: Malaysia and Brunei
• ASEAN Gamelan: Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos
• Vietnam and Myanmar

Readership: Readers from Singapore, China, India and Southeast Asia who are interested in George Yeo's perspective on history, politics, economics, philosophy, and other related topics.

'Musings Series Two is a fabulous read and hard to put down. George Yeo has an uncanny and impressive ability to answer pointed political, cultural and social questions about global trends and regional developments. By using personal memoirs and contemporary events as entry points but drawing fully on history, George helps us fathom some of the grand encounters of our times whether it is Catholicism and its spread, the Vatican and China, Islam, or Europe's impact. His analysis of the US–China relationship and protracted struggle and the future of Pax Americana is among the best I have read. Official visits to the region as a member of the Singapore Cabinet allowed him to reflect on our ASEAN neighbours more profoundly and understand them better. This book is the product of a brilliant strategic mind, unconventional thinking and a deeply humane disposition which we identify with George Yeo. Political analysts, students of international affairs and society, whether from the West or Asia, would benefit greatly from reading this book.' - Chan Heng CheeAmbassador at Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore

'Musings captures what from my experience is most impressive about George Yeo: the sheer breadth of his life's accumulated knowledge and experience, on everything from Europe to Asia to America, and from Roman Catholicism to Chinese classical philosophy and religion. In doing so, he could not better represent Singapore, and its unique role at the crossroads of the world.' - Kevin RuddGlobal President of the Asia Society and former Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Australia

'Musings Series Two is a delightful read. Not only does it give the reader an insight into events and situations which only someone with an intimate knowledge can share, but George has a way of presenting them with so much presence, warmth, simplicity, humility, candour, thoughtfulness and sage-like wisdom that you can't help but be swept up in his musings. His writings reflect someone who is very much at peace with himself, and with the world. At the same time one can sense his passion about many things — his faith, his family, his friends, country and his culture. There are no airs about George, even though he is clearly blessed with superior intellect and connections. He is also very insightful and diplomatic in dealing with difficult and sensitive situations. It is a blessing to have George at the service of the Church, of Singapore and the world. May God grant him the grace to continue to inspire humanity. This is his calling!' - Cardinal William GohArchbishop of Singapore

'George Yeo is a leader whose mind ranges widely. His geopolitical insights are always rooted in history and culture. He has been a friend of mine for thirty years and I have marveled at his vision and admired his values. As a man of faith who loved politics and international relations, George represents the best of his beloved country of Singapore. As a military officer he came to understand power and as a diplomat he practiced a unique kind of listening that only enhanced the impact of his words. I can see him now describing several millennia only to reach back and pluck the perfect historical example to win his argument. You always knew that George would tell you exactly what he thought. That candor gave him great influence in any setting. And he loved his constituents, which is not easy, but he was enriched on a human level by his interactions with them. The only thing more impressive than his mind is his love of Jennifer and his children. I was reminded of that love throughout Musings. And George's decision to use pictures as well as text in putting the reflections together give the book as a whole a unique power.' - Bill BradleyFormer US Senator

'Woon Tai Ho aptly appoints George Yeo an 'Envoy of History'. In Musings, Yeo has also proves himself a Sherpa guide to culture, religion, geopolitics, and even the natural world. His discerning tour of the seas, straits, mountain ranges, and coastal plains of archipelagic Southeast Asia navigates effortlessly through history. Yeo grew up with modern Singapore and served with the city-state's third generation of leaders. As a builder of a young country, Yeo's curiosity made him a keen observer of other places and institutions across time and continents. This book illustrates Yeo's inquiring spirit and his valued partnership with his wife Jennifer. As an influential Minister and military officer, Yeo was imbued with Lee Kuan Yew's skeptical realism; as an independent thinker, Yeo added a deep appreciation of humanity. Westerners will discover Yeo's respect for authority, order, and balance; when outlooks differ, readers will still respect his reasoned logic and ethics. Beyond the insights and debates, every reader will admire George Yeo's strongest trait: his principled and loyal friendship.' - Robert B ZoellickFormer President of the World Bank, US Trade Representative, and US Deputy Secretary of State

'George Yeo's brilliance and range of intellectual interests are well known. In this second volume of Musings, he once again shows that he has the gift of telling important and complex things simply, in direct and appealing ways which leave a deep and lasting impression on the reader's mind. This volume deals with the contemporary global situation, particularly China's rise, the US reaction and the place of southeast Asia in a world in rapid change. From history to contemporary politics to the meaning of life, Yeo's compassionate humanism and beliefs shine through this volume, as they did in its predecessor. This is a book to savour, to return to often, in moments of tranquility and of stress, for it is a restorer of faith and understanding. I cannot recommend it strongly enough.' - Shivshankar MenonChair, Ashoka Centre for China Studies and Former Foreign Secretary of India

'I have read George Yeo's Musing Series Two with great pleasure and interest. As an old friend of Singapore, it comes as no surprise to find that his knowledge and understanding of Indian Ocean history and culture is wide and deep. But what is also wonderful is the charm of his personal reminiscence, for example of his early years as a young US army officer and as an MBA student. The book is steeped in wisdom, and I share his wise conclusion on the great issues of the day: ... the greatest uncertainty in the world today is not US–China or US–Russia relations but what is taking place within US society itself.' - Sayyid BadrOman Foreign Minister

'I have been a fan of George both as a commoner earlier and a fellow public servant later. Our interactions, post-official public service, have somewhat grown lately in board room and informal discussions. What's consistent is his ability to think deeply into the roots of any topic by providing his audience with rich historical, cultural, and moral perspectives. His drawing a metaphorical comparison of Southeast Asia or ASEAN with the Javanese musical instrument Gamelan in how the region thrives with insistence, no single dominating force, cacophony, and seemingly no beginning or end is classic George. The two series of Musings have taken the reader to just about every corner of the world through the lens of someone who is intellectually, culturally, spiritually, and morally anchored. In a world filled with a crescendo of polarising forces, one could learn a thing or two from the first two series of Musings — and arguably the upcoming third.' - Gita Irawan WirjawanEducator and Entrepreneur, and former Minister of Trade of Indonesia

'George Yeo, a brilliant global thinker and talented Asian diplomat, in his Musings Series Two, written in a lively, sometimes provocative and humorous language, shares his insights on the current state and prospects of the world community. Doing this on the basis of his rich experience in state ministry, he combines political pragmatism, Confucian tradition and Christian faith at the book. Following the whimsical curves of George's stories, like a nine-passage pearl (九曲珠), the reader suddenly finds himself guided by the author through all significant topics of the world politics and culture. Boldly bringing his innermost thoughts to the reader's judgment, George expresses the depth of the Singaporean soul, delicate to the diversity of our earthly life. Complementing his emotions with precise rational analysis, George combines in his Musings the culture, tradition, philosophical, religious and political thought of East and West, overcoming the seemingly insurmountable civilisational border. It is gratifying to testify that George is one of those politicians who bases their public service on a solid rock of faith (Matthew 16:18), examining by Christ the rich history and culture of Asian civilisation. The Asian Christian world-range politician's book, presenting his sight at the current world's state through living biographical memories and photographs, will be a must-read for those who care about the fate of humanity and will be of great interest to readers around the world.' - Bishop Pitirim of JakartaVicar of the Diocese of Singapore, Patriarchal Exarchate of Southeast Asia andRussian Orthodox Church

'The second volume of George Yeo's Musings offers a fascinating overview of religion, geopolitics, and culture by one of Asia's elder statesmen. His long career has given him a rich insight into current political trends. Those interested in international relations, Singapore's foreign policy and Southeast Asian affairs will appreciate his sharp and wide-ranging observations. Decades of experience at the summit of international politics fills the book with timely views on China, America, Russia, Europe and the Middle East as well as how they relate to ASEAN. In this time of rising geopolitical tensions, Yeo is a firm believer in compromise and negotiation. Leaders (and aspiring leaders) from around the world will surely benefit from reading and reflecting on his book.' - Karim RaslanWriter and columnist

'Throughout my life in the private and public sectors, I have always found my Singaporean colleagues most consistently impressive. George — who was my counterpart when we were trade ministers of our respective countries some 20 years ago — is an exceptional example of Singaporean excellence. George was one of ASEAN's foremost champions during the region's formative years; many founding blocks of today's integrated economic community were laid by his deft hands. I always find his reflections prescient, his questions sharp, and his insights profound. George has an uncanny ability to look upon vast stretches of time and place to draw throughlines and storylines connecting histories and peoples. This series offers unique perspectives, considered thoughtfully and delivered eloquently. Through visual and written recollections, George wrestles with curious and challenging questions facing our region, grapples with ideas of culture and religion, woven together with deeply personal experiences and anecdotes. The result of this exercise is a delightfully compelling package of ideas useful for charting our distinct yet unmistakeably shared future in this changing world. This collection offers an inside track into the mind of a man who has seen and done it all at the highest levels of statecraft: an intimate encounter with a man who stood in the face of history, rose to meet its moment, and who lives now to make sense of the days past and future.' - Cesar Antonio Velasquez PurisimaSecretary of Finance (2005, 2010–16), PhilippinesSecretary of Trade and Industry (2004–05), Philippines

'I have known George Yeo for many years. He is a highly intelligent scholar, a philosopher and a political leader whom many Singaporeans can never forget. He has a profound understanding of Christianity, Judaism, Islam and other faiths and a strong proponent of inter-faith communication. He is well loved by many Singaporeans from all walks of life. Through the years, he has built this understanding through deep interactions and discourses with various communities in Singapore. He is held in high esteem and comes across as a genuine seeker of truth. George Yeo was probably the first Singapore minister to visit Hadhramaut in Yemen. During this memorable visit, which is mentioned in this book, there was heavy rain. For many learned Hadhramis, this is a sign of his sincerity and a great blessing. The book shows his knowledge and affection of the Hadhramis in Singapore. Musings Series Two tells the story of Singapore's rich heritage and our interesting connections to different parts of the world.' - Habib Syed Hassan Al-AttasImam, Ba'Alwi Mosque

'Musings is an outstanding intellectual work combining deep perspectives, a masterpiece history of Singapore's external relations and development path and how it successfully navigated a complex and challenging geopolitical and international environment. George Yeo is one of the most outstanding figures in Singapore and far beyond the world. George Yeo's distinguished public service which spanned over five decades is a live illustration of his generation's political leadership. Singapore is a fascinating country with limitless lessons for other developing countries. This book shows us the humble and fulfilling life of George Yeo. It is a personal journey that is rarely available in published works. The book's many pictures cover not only Singapore's development journey and international engagements but also his life and his wife, Jennifer, who was present at all events. I have known George in person, and our rich conversation extended from the Vatican to China's history, from Singapore's development to Africa. He has shown great interest in understanding Africa's economic development and Ethiopian history. Singaporeans will benefit from reading this book, but more importantly, political leaders and policymakers beyond Singapore will learn from this extraordinary book on public leadership, public service and international relations.' - Arkebe OqubayBritish Academy Global Professor, Senior Minister, Ethiopia and author of Made in Africa

'Being appointed to serve on the Council for the Economy was a huge shock, but to discover that the lay members appointed to the Council included top class experts in a wide range of skills was utterly daunting. What added to my sense of shock was the information that one of them was a former minister in the Singapore government. I kept asking how I could possibly fit into this group of experts with my rather rudimentary knowledge and exposure to high finance. What a pleasant surprise to meet and work together with this impressively down to earth group of men. Their only intention was to render to the Church what it needed at that time their skills and expert knowledge. I discovered a new meaning to the expression: Serving People in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Saviour.' - Cardinal Wilfrid Napier, OFMArchbishop-emeritus of Durban

'Musings Series Two is an extraordinary piece of work. By George! I mean, how could a man muse on so many subjects? Musings Series Two is about history, about many countries, many aspects of international affairs, and particularly of my interest, about ASEAN. All of these are presented in a storytelling form which is easy to read and understand. I have met George on many occasions from my involvement with the development of ASEAN and APEC and more recently as fellow board members of an international company. We hold a common view that 'ASEAN must be our first circle of diplomacy'. George Yeo is one of the best conference speakers from Southeast Asia. Many of the subjects and stories presented at these seminars and conferences can be found in Musings Series Two. I consider George Yeo a career politician who is a professional which is a rare species in Thai politics. I hope some of our recent exchanges will be covered in Musings Series Three, which I believe is being written.' - Narongchai Akrasanee, PhDBangkok, Thailand

'I enjoyed going through George Yeo's Musings Series Two and his recollection of our time together in the Vatican. I found his views of many issues interesting partly because, as an Asian, he has a different perspective. I am fascinated with his analysis of Vatican–China relations and agree with many of the points he made in the chapter on the de-Christianisation of Europe. He has a lively interest in South America and often engaged me on current events in my continent. George Yeo's quotation from Pope John Paul II that we are one because we are diverse is a timely reminder in our troubled times. I recommend his book to Christian and non-Christian friends alike.' - Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani ThorneArchbishop(e) of Lima (Peru)

'George Yeo is a giant in thinking and in action. I had the chance to benefit from his amazing geopolitical and cultural knowledge of the world issues. More than almost anyone I know, he has a fascinating vision of the future, based on a deep knowledge of history of civilisations and cultures, and a great experience (in so many government positions) of what it means to lead a nation and to inspire it. That makes his thoughts absolutely unique.' - Jacques AttaliWriter

'I would like to congratulate George for coming out with his second book in his Musings series. Certainly, when one has lived a productive and active life, in both the public service, as a government minister, and then a stint in the challenging private sector, there will be much to ponder upon, contemplate, and learn, especially in the area of close public-private sector collaboration for the national good. I enjoyed working with him on bilateral, regional and international affairs over many years. We are also good friends. The global environment has evolved so much, bring spurred, driven and even exacerbated by the challenges of the so called 'New Normal' especially after the trail of global destruction left by the COVID-19 Pandemic. We see dramatic changes reflected in the disruption and distortion to global production and business value chains. And now the Ukraine conflict has caused additional damage and disruption. Rebuilding national economies and reviving and strengthening societies will be a long drawn affair and requires continuous effort by all stakeholders. The process will go beyond politics and is in the realm of nation-building. We need real commitment and dedication to repair and rebuild with a spirit of national service. George's Musings express such a spirit. I am sure his second book will be as well-received as the first.' - Rafidah AzizMalaysia Minister of International Trade and Industry (1987–2008)

'Anyone who wants to understand how Singapore keeps punching above its weight needs to read George Yeo's Musings. Singaporean by birth, Chinese through parental and ancestral attachments, Catholic by schooling and faith, educated at the top universities in the UK and US, George Yeo is one of Asia's most notable foreign ministers. His close personal ties and diplomatic engagements across the world, coupled with a probing intellect attuned to deep currents of history and culture, make him an indispensable interpreter for our challenging, post-global times. While Musings One does a deep dive into the Asian giants India, China, and Singapore's enmeshment in them, Musings Two delivers keen insights across many axes of relations and comparisons: the Vatican and China, Islam and the world, Europe and Africa/Latin America/Asia, across Southeast Asia. Especially compelling is Yeo's unusual, multi-perspectival lens on US–China relations, bringing to bear his native knowledge of the Pacific Rim economies — Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Southeast Asia, Australia. This rare view on the major problem of our times, by a highly cosmopolitan and intellectual Asian master of international diplomacy, is an invaluable contribution to the mutual understanding that is in desperately short supply today. To have it all in the highly readable form of a biographical travelogue is a blessing.' - Ho Eng SengProfessor of Anthropology and History, Duke University; Muhammad Alagil Distinguished Visiting Professor of Arabia Asia Studies, National University of Singapore

'Only somebody like George could have launched such a courageous archeological adventure. I had the pleasure of witnessing George's truly special analytic, diplomatic and communication skills for many years, when I was Minister of Trade and Industry of Mexico and very soon thereafter as members of the International Advisory Committee of Mitsubishi. I am impressed by the extraordinary mix of deep comments with the simplicity of incorporating some history-ridden pictures. This mixture is a format that delivers amusing reading and, at the same time, thought-provoking analysis which pretty much reflects the wealth of knowledge and the very special journey that his family and George have lived.' - Herminio Blanco MendozaChief Negotiator of NAFTA and former Minister of Trade and Industry of Mexico

Key Features:

• Tells George Yeo's story in a casual format
• Includes personal anecdotes from his childhood, his hobbies, and talks about his schizophrenic eldest brother for the first time
• Includes George Yeo's thoughts on his parents, on suffering and God, and his latest insights about China, India, Southeast Asia, China, Europe and the US