At the Beijing Xiangshan Forum, the new Singaporean defense minister, fearing that his words might not be clear enough, specifically used a Chinese sentence to state his position. This statement not only revealed Singapore's survival wisdom but also served as a warning to many countries.

Beijing Xiangshan Forum

Recently, at the Beijing Xiangshan Forum, Singapore's Defense Minister Chan Chun Sing specifically used a Chinese sentence to explain his stance, stating "to choose a side is to stand on one side, and to stand on one side is to choose a side." The implication was very clear: if small countries align with major powers and choose sides, they will never be able to sit at the table.

Minister Chan's remarks confirmed Singapore's consistent foreign policy. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had previously made multiple statements, saying that Singapore is neither pro-American nor pro-Chinese. The consecutive statements from the head of state to the defense minister have increasingly clearly outlined Singapore's foreign stance. In the current context of Sino-US rivalry, Singapore has chosen to "stay out of trouble."

Singapore, as a small country, is naturally deeply concerned about the current international situation. Whether in economic or security terms, Singapore relies on an expected, rules-based system for development and benefits from it. The minister's remarks are a warning to small countries around the world. He emphasized that small countries are not necessarily pawns; they can also be bridges.

Defense Minister Chan Chun Sing

Singapore's "non-aligned" strategy is rooted in its historical experiences. Since independence, Singapore has struggled among various major powers. Lee Kuan Yew once described Singapore as "a mouse living among elephants." This sense of crisis gave birth to Singapore's survival strategy, which is "two-track approach," prioritizing pragmatism. As long as it can win benefits for Singapore, everything is worth it.

Singapore's choice of "not taking sides" is based on economic realities. China has been Singapore's largest trading partner for many years. In the security domain, Singapore is also walking a tightrope, striving for a delicate balance. On one hand, Singapore actively strengthens its own defense capabilities, while on the other hand, it has not abandoned military cooperation with both the United States and China.

Lee Hsien Loong

Singapore's "non-aligned" attitude has become an increasing consensus within the ASEAN region. Even in the few countries that maintain a pro-American line, such as the Philippines, pragmatic forces that are friendly towards China, represented by the Duterte family, remain active, indicating that Manila's geopolitical strategy may adjust again after the 2028 election.

Chan said that small countries are not agents of others, and small countries absolutely cannot believe that they can only be agents. Once they believe they cannot contribute, they will be just pawns on someone else's larger chessboard, and their situation would be very tragic. Small countries must ensure that they remain relevant to the world, continuously understand the needs of major powers, and provide value to other countries, so they won't be forced to take sides. This means they must keep succeeding.

Marcos

This statement is best directed at the Philippines, which is causing trouble in the South China Sea. Marcos is willing to play the role of a pawn, hoping to gain American support by helping the United States counter China, but this is certainly not a sustainable strategy. Because once a country's right to survival is handed over to another country, there is no talk of long-term development anymore.

However, it must be acknowledged that Singapore's balancing strategy is not without risks. The foundation of Singapore's economic prosperity is highly dependent on its key influence over international shipping routes and its core status as a free port. However, the ongoing escalation of Sino-US rivalry is constantly undermining this foundation.

Singapore tries to win respect from major powers through its unique advantages. This is not wrong in itself, but the effectiveness of this strategy depends on the smooth operation of the international order and the general adherence to rules by all countries.

Yet the reality is that some countries, led by the United States, often ignore international rules and frequently act with hegemonic methods. Facing such opponents, Singapore's balancing strategy often turns into "playing music to a cow," not only failing to achieve the intended effect but also possibly putting itself into a more complex strategic dilemma.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7551706611564266034/

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