S'pore must never be a mouthpiece for others: Chan Chun Sing urges countries to uphold sovereignty & stand by principles

Singapore must never become a mouthpiece for other countries, or risk losing its credibility and value, Minister for Defence (Mindef) Chan Chun Sing said on Sep. 18.

He was speaking at the 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum in the Chinese capital, the country's largest security conference.

About 1,800 participants from over 100 countries were in attendance.

The forum is regarded as China's answer to the Shangri-La Dialogue, an international security conference held annually in Singapore.

Chan made his introductory visit to China from Sep. 15 to 18, accompanied by Chief of Army Major-General Cai Dexian and other Mindef officials, in meetings with senior Chinese leaders.

Shaky world order

In his speech at a plenary of the forum, Chan pointed out three dangers in the modern world that are threatening to upend the world order.

Fragmentation

Fragmentation, the first risk, is a result of "growing discontent with the uneven distribution of these benefits", he said, referring to economic opportunities most countries have derived from economic liberalisation and global integration.

"Some feel they have been left behind. Others feel that they have been forced to bear the costs of adjustment."

Growing protectionist ideologies, in particular their influence on policies, could result in falling global productivity in the long term, he warned.

Global uncertainties

A second risk Chan raised was uncertainties in policy-making, for instance, in U.S.-imposed tariffs.

"The issue is not just that the tariffs are high or higher, but they are uncertain and volatile," he said.

With no clear consensus, businesses are forced to hold back investments and consumers are forced to cut back on their consumption.

This could result in political instability in some cases, he added.

Increased insecurity

Unpredictability in the world stems from a lack of shared values and norms, Chan said of the third risk.

The mutually causal impact economic and security uncertainties have on each other often means countries will devote more of their resources to security, in turn leaving less to social and economic needs.

"Those left behind will receive even less support," he said.

In the worst case, it could lead to war.

Shared responsibility

"Under the law of the jungle, the mighty will do what they wish, and the weak will suffer what they must. We must avoid this at all cost."

In light of the threats he raised, Chan said that big and small countries have a shared responsibility in upholding international laws and sovereign equality.

Even among rival major powers, cooperation is possible and necessary to tackle global challenges together.

"Competition and cooperation are not mutually exclusive," he said.

Not a mouthpiece

On Singapore's role in the global order, Chan said Singapore, like other small states, have agency, but feels pressure to pick sides.

"However, choosing sides and being a proxy for others breeds irrelevance and undermines one’s agency."

Abiding by core principles, instead, should be the way to ensure survival and success.

Singapore has strived to be consistent and principled in our views, Chan added, while proving our relevance and value to partners.

"Consequently, we must never be a proxy or mouthpiece for others."

Top image via Mindef