China plays 'critical role' in shaping global agenda, will continue to work closely with S'pore & Asean: PM Wong at Boao Forum

"The war in Ukraine is entering its fifth year. The conflict in the Middle East is in its fourth week and may well drag on. These wars have claimed many lives and inflicted immense suffering on populations," said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Mar. 26.

Speaking at the Opening Plenary of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) conference in Bo'ao, Hainan, PM Wong warned that such events have real consequences, and noted that the rules and institutions that have long underpinned global stability are under serious strain.

While these international norms did not eliminate conflict, they helped to temper it and bring a measure of predictability to international relations.

However, the guardrails are "weakening" today.

"International relations are increasingly shaped by geopolitical rivalry and zero-sum thinking," he said. "States feel less bound by rules, and more inclined to act whenever they have the power to do so."

PM Wong noted that as a result, smaller and middle-sized nations bear the brunt of this shift, but cautioned that even major powers are not immune.

"When rules give way to raw power, order breaks down, and no country — big or small — is truly secure."

More flexible approach

"But in today’s more complex and fractured world, multilateral agreements are extremely hard to reach," PM Wong said. "Yet given the challenges we face, we cannot afford to wait for every country to move together – at the same time and at the same speed."

"To be clear, this does not mean abandoning multilateralism," he stressed, adding that global institutions such as the World Trade Organisation and the United Nations must be strengthened and reformed to remain effective.

Rather than abandoning multilateral frameworks, he called for a more pragmatic approach — one that allows smaller groups of like-minded countries to forge plurilateral arrangements when broader consensus proves elusive.

He provided examples of agreements like Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RECEP) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

These are not "exclusive clubs", but open and inclusive frameworks that other partners can join when they are ready.

Well-designed coalitions of willing partners could serve as building blocks for a more resilient global architecture over time, he said.

China's growing role

A significant portion of PM Wong's address focused on China.

China plays a critical role, he said, describing it as a country well-positioned not just to participate in the next wave of technological change, but to help shape it.

He noted that China has made science, technology and innovation central to its development strategy, and is already at the forefront of digital and green technologies.

Its cultural influence is also expanding, particularly among younger global audiences, across films, music, gaming, consumer brands and digital platforms.

PM Wong said Singapore welcomes China's moves to take on greater responsibilities in the international system, including voluntarily giving up certain WTO developing-country benefits, and its active engagement through four key global initiatives on development, security, civilisation and governance.

These reflect China’s growing engagement in shaping the global agenda, he said, adding that Singapore will continue to work with China in areas of shared interest, including on sustainable development and global governance.

Support regional prosperity and stability

Moreover, PM Wong said there is potential for China to play an even larger role in supporting regional prosperity and stability through its vast domestic market.

China can also help to shape the region's evolving economic architecture, he said, adding that its skills and capabilities position it to influence new rules and standards in emerging domains.

"Looking ahead, Singapore has confidence in China’s long-term prospects," he said. "We will continue to partner China closely, and deepen collaboration in areas of mutual benefit as both our economies evolve."

ASEAN and beyond

Looking ahead, PM Wong said Singapore will work with fellow Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) member states to deepen regional integration and strengthen partnerships when it assumes the Asean Chairmanship next year.

He added that they will work closely with partners including China, Japan, South Korea and India, as well as the Gulf Cooperation Council and the European Union.

PM Wong closed his speech with a call to action: "Asia’s future will not be determined by circumstance, but by the choices we make. We can drift towards rivalry and fragmentation. Or we can choose cooperation and openness."

"If we choose well, Asia can continue to be a source of stability, dynamism, and hope for the future... This future is within our reach. Let us build it together."

Background

The BFA provides a high-level dialogue platform for governments, enterprises, experts, and scholars to discuss key issues in Asia and the world.

It is meant to promote and deepen economic exchange, coordination, and cooperation within Asia and between Asia and other parts of the world.

This marks PM Wong's first attendance of the forum since taking office in 2024, as well as his second official visit as PM to China.

Top photo from Prime Minister's Office/YouTube