Singapore says it must be able to say ‘no’ to US, China to preserve trust
Singapore occupies a “peculiarly sensitive existential point” as it seeks to retain strategic options amid a great power rivalry, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan has said, doubling down on the city state’s stance of refusing to take sides. He also warned that the global landscape would remain unsettled if China and the United States failed to address their respective domestic issues.…
Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan emphasized the country's need to maintain strategic flexibility amid escalating tensions between the United States and China. Speaking at the Milken Institute Asia Summit 2026 in Singapore, Balakrishnan stressed the importance of preserving trust with both global superpowers while avoiding the role of a proxy for either. He warned that losing Singapore's ability to say "no" would lead to assets and investments departing rapidly.
Balakrishnan highlighted Singapore's strategic location as its primary asset, but stressed that trust is the bedrock of its existence. The country's top source of foreign direct investment is the United States, with S$35.2 billion (US$27.5 billion) in inflows last year. However, China also views Singapore as a reliable partner due to shared cultural, historical, and linguistic ties.
Acknowledging the internal challenges faced by both the US and China, Balakrishnan urged them to address domestic issues like income inequality, political division, an ageing population, and economic imbalances. He argued that the global landscape would remain unstable until these issues are resolved and a new world order emerges.
Singapore's ability to contribute to this new paradigm hinges on mastering emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and energy, according to Balakrishnan. He called for global regulatory frameworks in these sectors to mitigate emerging threats and maintain international standards.
Balakrishnan also defended Singapore's stance on the right of transit passage through international waterways, emphasizing that any full-frontal assault on this right would pose a significant threat to the country's business model. In April, Indonesian Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa proposed charging vessels to cross the Strait of Hormuz, though he later withdrew the idea.
In April, Singapore will assume chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Balakrishnan expressed confidence in the bloc, citing healthy economic growth in member states such as Vietnam and Malaysia. He remains an advocate for ASEAN, believing in its potential and the compelling narrative it can provide for the region.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
