‘Trust and confidence:’ China, US must increase engagement, Singapore defense minister urges

Singapore defense minister Chan Chun Sing speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on June 1 (Credit: Singapore Ministry of Defence)

SINGAPORE — Singapore’s new defense minister today called on China to “use every opportunity possible” to engage with the US and regional countries, saying that doing so is in its interest.

“Having spoken with both the US and the Chinese, I think both sides will benefit from a deeper understanding of each other’s position, so that we won’t oversimplify complex issues or try to look for simplistic solutions,” said Chan Chun Sing during a media conference wrapping this year’s Shangri-La Dialogue security summit, organized by the International Institute of Strategic Studies.

However, Chan added that engagements should take the form of a true dialogue where all sides sought to understand each other’s positions instead of just talking over each other.

As an example, he noted that in US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth made the point that Washington was not seeking conflict or regime change in China, which Chan said was very useful.

“There are certain perceptions on both sides, but I think both sides must also state very clearly what’s their bottom line towards one another, and I think that builds trust and confidence.”

Chan’s comments to media came hours after he spoke during the summit’s final plenary session on Sunday morning, where he took a question from a Chinese People’s Liberation Army delegate who noted that China had been repeatedly blamed and verbally attacked at the event.

In response, Chan stated, “If China perceives that the world does not respect China sufficiently, or do not understand China sufficiently, then it is incumbent upon China to use every opportunity possible, including the Shangri-La Dialogue, to get its voice heard, to make clear its stance, and to help others to understand why it’s doing what it is doing.”

The absence of the Chinese defense minister at this year’s Shangri-La Dialogue has been a talking point at this year’s event, with China sending a lower-level delegation led by the Vice President of China’s National Defense University Rear Adm. Hu Gangfeng,

The delegation also eschewed its customary press conference following the US Secretary of Defense’s speech, with China’s instead issuing a statement that accused Hegseth vilifying China with defamatory allegations and falsely calling China a threat.

Singapore’s Role In The Region

Chan, who was previously the chief of Singapore’s army before entering politics, used his speech on Sunday to assert that his nation will continue to stand up for a global order where small states like Singapore — an island nation smaller in size than Rhode Island — have agency.

“Singapore will choose the side of principles that promote a more integrated global economic and security order underpinned by international law and sovereign equality, where states — big and small — have a fair chance to compete and can improve the lives of our people through trade and not war,” he said.

He also cautioned against countries pursuing unilateral actions with regards to their own security. While prioritizing one’s security was understandable, Chan said, it must be done alongside a firm commitment to international laws and norms which set out what is considered acceptable state behavior.

“If there is no trust that countries will act in accordance with these rules, then the quest for one’s security could easily lead to greater insecurity in others,” he said. “We would then fall into a vicious spiral where attempts to overcome one’s insecurity begets greater insecurity.