Christmas Island

Christmas Island?

I heard from many people that Christmas Island once belong to Singapore, though it was very near to Australia. However, the previous government sold away the island to Australia. Though I also heard that Australia had been giving Singapore to take control over the island for the past years.

Public Comments

1. Yes that is true. Christmas Island belonged to Singapore. At Australia's request, the United Kingdom transferred sovereignty to Australia; in 1957, the Australian government paid the government of Singapore £2.9 million in compensation, a figure based mainly on an estimated value of the phosphate forgone by Singapore.
2. Yes... The island was administered jointly by the British Phosphate Commissioners and District Officers from the United Kingdom Colonial Office through the Straits Settlements, and later the Crown Colony of Singapore. At Australia's request, the United Kingdom (British) transferred sovereignty to Australia; in 1957, the Australian government paid the government of Singapore £2.9 million in compensation, a figure based mainly on an estimated value of the phosphate forgone by Singapore.
3. did not know that.. what about Easter Island ? :)
4. Yes, what the above answerers said is true that Christmas Island is formally belongs to Singapore and many of the old flats that existed in Christmas Island are built by Singapore and was the only foreign place outside Singapore that has the Singapore housing style (HDB Flats that are HUDC in style). For Isabelle, about Easter Island, I'm not sure, but Coco (Keeling) Island its was not belong to Singapore and its direct ceded from the British.
5. As all others have mentioned, yes it's true and I think that it was a wrong move on the part of the govt. Christmas Island is a beautiful island. It should have remained in Singapore's control. A realy waste I feel.