Chan Chun Sing says Singapore must never be a proxy or mouthpiece amid US-China tensions

Singapore must never be a proxy or mouthpiece for other countries, or it risks losing its credibility and, with it, its value proposition, said Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing in Beijing on 18 September 2025. Speaking at the Xiangshan Forum, an annual security conference attended by defence officials, academics, and international organisations, Chan stressed Singapore’s approach of demonstrating relevance and reliability through consistent and principled actions. He said: “Once a country becomes a proxy or mouthpiece, it loses its credibility, and therefore its value proposition. Singapore therefore upholds our sovereignty and stands by our principles.”

Warning of global instability

Chan highlighted the potential consequences of a fraying global order, noting that economic upheavals can reinforce security uncertainties. He warned that the uneven distribution of globalisation’s benefits has driven discontent, fuelling protectionist policies worldwide. He drew parallels with the 1930s, when economic crises enabled radical politics to rise, eventually contributing to the outbreak of World War II. “We once again risk falling into a similar vicious circle,” he said.

Call to preserve international law and order

Chan called for reinforcing an integrated economic and security order based on international law and sovereign equality. Such a framework, he said, ensures that both large and small states have the opportunity to compete fairly and contribute constructively to the global system. “The alternative, where trust and dialogue are absent, will see both sides assume the worst of each other. 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 costs.”

Reflections on US-China relations

On the sidelines of ongoing tensions between Washington and Beijing, Chan urged recognition that competition and cooperation are not mutually exclusive. He cited both US and Chinese leaders as expressing commitment to avoid escalation. Chinese President Xi Jinping, at a military parade on 3 September, cautioned against a zero-sum mentality, while US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth told the Shangri-La Dialogue in May that the US does not seek to dominate, encircle, or provoke China. “Such statements from both superpowers give us confidence,” Chan said, noting the possibility of major powers managing differences while jointly tackling challenges such as climate change and global health.

Singapore’s role between the superpowers

Chan clarified that Singapore does not aim to “balance” between the US and China, nor does it calibrate its defence ties with one based on the other. Instead, its guiding principle is to be a relevant and constructive partner to both. “The way we approach our relationship with the US and China is the same. We are not trying to calibrate. We are not trying to balance,” he told reporters. He added that Singapore invests effort in understanding both the American and Chinese systems deeply, beyond the personalities leading them. To the extent possible, Singapore contributes to mutual understanding between the two powers, without acting as a messenger or intermediary.

The agency of small states

Chan underscored that small states retain agency even in an era of heightened geopolitical competition. He cautioned that aligning with one power at the expense of another would diminish autonomy and relevance. “Choosing sides and being a proxy for others breeds irrelevance and undermines one’s agency. Hence, small states cannot afford to take sides,” he said. Instead, he advocated consistent support for an inclusive, rules-based international order as the surest way to safeguard long-term survival and prosperity.

Regional cooperation through ASEAN

Singapore remains committed to strengthening cooperative defence platforms, including the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and ADMM-Plus, which includes dialogue partners such as the US, China, and Russia. Chan noted that since 2017, the group has adopted confidence-building guidelines for air and sea domains to reduce risks of miscalculation and escalation. “Singapore values China’s consistent partnership and constructive contributions to the ADMM-Plus, particularly in supporting the practice of these air and sea confidence-building measures.”

Peace and responsibility of powers

In his closing remarks at the Xiangshan Forum, Chan stressed that peace should never be taken for granted. “As we adapt to a transition in the global order, there is a historic opportunity for all great powers to exercise their leadership to win the world.” He called on larger nations to exercise magnanimity and a shared commitment to harmony, while encouraging smaller states like Singapore to contribute by upholding principles rather than aligning with power blocs.

Engaging with regional challenges

During a forum exchange, a participant from Northeastern University of China asked Chan how Asia-Pacific nations might build mechanisms for peaceful coexistence. He responded that both large and small states share responsibility. Mechanisms, he said, must be built on communication and mutual trust. “Communication is the first step, and mutual trust is the next step. Only with communication and mutual trust can we build a mechanism.” On cyber-security, Chan observed that regional cooperation is both necessary and possible. “It is in our shared and common interests to work together to build new mechanisms to safeguard our networks, and to deny bad actors from disrupting the opportunity for us to progress together,” he said.