REACH (Telegram) 78 - What are your views on the Shangri-La Dialogue and Singapore’s approach to international relations?
(SK)
02 Jun 2025 (10am - 7pm)
REACH (Telegram)
REACH Singapore, [2/6/2025 9:45 am]
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REACH Singapore, [2/6/2025 10:03 am]
π’ Topic π’
If Singapore has to choose sides, it will choose the side of principles that uphold an integrated global economic and security order, underpinned by law and sovereignty, said Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing at the Shangri-La Dialogue on 1 June.
π¬ What are your views on the Shangri-La Dialogue and Singapore’s approach to international relations?
"For Singapore, we believe that taking sides, regardless of issues and context, breeds irrelevance; and if one is irrelevant, it will almost certainly require (one) to take sides," said Minister Chan.
π Adhering to Principles
Minister Chan said “Singapore does not base its positions on who the key players are in a given issue. Instead, we look at every situation very carefully to decide what are the principles that are at stake."
He cited the war in Ukraine as an example, saying the conflict involves different levels of interest. Some are concerned because the war disrupted global supply chains and economic security, while for others, the core issue is sovereignty.
"These are all valid concerns. But if I may suggest, the highest order of concern for all of us should be the principles of how we conduct international relationships," said Minister Chan.
Singapore adheres to a set of principles that have contributed to and underpinned the country's survival and success, and when assessing any particular issue, it looks "very carefully" from this perspective, Minister Chan said.
π US Engagement in the Region
In his interactions with US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth, Minister Chan said he could sense that the US "genuinely" wants to engage the region. He said his counterparts were "cheered" by the US’ commitment to the Asia-Pacific region and were looking forward to this being translated into "tangible actions".
On Secretary Hegseth’s reference to China as a “threat”, Minister Chan highlighted that in Secretary Hegseth's speech, one part of it was to his domestic audience, and another was to Asian partners.
Minister Chan quoted lines from Secretary Hegseth’s speech: "We do not seek war… we do not seek to dominate or strangle China, to encircle or provoke. We do not seek regime change, nor will we instigate or disrespect a proud and historic culture."
π Singapore’s Role in International Security
To a question by a Chinese media outlet that mentioned Singapore’s “balancing act” between China and the US, Minister Chan said that is not Singapore’s approach. “Singapore is not trying to balance anybody, and we are also not the interlocutor (between other countries)”, he added.
Instead, Minister Chan said it sees itself as an open and inclusive platform that allows people to come together for frank and honest conversations.
“Where it’s appreciated, we will also share with our partners our perspectives, our interpretations, and likewise, we appreciate our partners sharing with us their perspectives and their interpretations of events,” he added.
π https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/shangri-la-dialogue-chun-chun-sing-defence-global-order-5161716
π https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/shangri-la-dialogue-chan-chun-sing-pete-hegseth-defence-5161126
π https://str.sg/fjjH
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Jun Ming, [2/6/2025 10:26 am]
Please elaborate what principles that Singapore adopt
Jun Ming, [2/6/2025 10:28 am]
Cause once Singapore choose sides even if it is by principle we need Singaporean to agree on the set of principles
REACH Singapore, [2/6/2025 11:02 am]
[ Poll : 1. I am supportive of Singapore’s approach to international security and defence issues. Please share your reasons in the chat. ]
- Strongly Agree
- Agree
- Neutral
- Disagree
- Strongly Disagree
REACH Singapore, [2/6/2025 11:02 am]
[ Poll : 2. The Shangri-La dialogue is an important platform for powers to exchange perspectives on security issues. Please share your reasons in the chat. ]
- Strongly Agree
- Agree
- Neutral
- Disagree
- Strongly Disagree
365, [2/6/2025 11:19 am]
Singapore's stance has always to be the neutral party. Openly siding with either side will cut off, or at least vastly reduce trade ties with the other. We want the best of both worlds, good trade all around and less hostilities. Historically it has worked for us, for as long as we show that we are neutral.
How useful is the dialogue for powers to exchange perspectives, honestly sometimes the perspective is quite obvious to outsiders. Whether it's convenient for themselves to openly declare it or not is another issue altogether. Leaders can say what they want in the dialogue, but may harbour other intentions not revealed. What they say may be heavily self-censored as well.
The only items that can really be of news, maybe might be some intelligence sharing, but again, also depends on which other countries are participating, and who they want to share the intelligence with.
That being said, regardless of whether it's inherently important or not, some things still have to continue doing for show, to meet geopolitical expectations and align ourselves with other nations, which can be part of the importance to hold or participate in the dialogue.
Khai Mun L., [2/6/2025 11:25 am]
I wouldn't say sg is a pure neutral country. We aim to put ourselves in the best, or least losses, position.
E.g. We did take a side in the ukraine/russia war
365, [2/6/2025 11:27 am]
True. I'm thinking between US-China context since they are the 2 main superpowers right now
Jun Ming, [2/6/2025 11:54 am]
Agree it's very hard to be neutral
Jun Ming, [2/6/2025 11:56 am]
By principle anyone who invade any country is in the wrong
Jun Ming, [2/6/2025 11:58 am]
I think that is what minister meant siding by principles.
But I think there are more principles that Singapore adopt
RY, [2/6/2025 1:51 pm]
https://youtu.be/KYtNKJbkHf8?si=ikJ6F4SueZw9i4ff
RY, [2/6/2025 1:52 pm]
https://youtu.be/MkauIG5guE8?si=ah3CAvvj5nwwfY9E
RY, [2/6/2025 1:54 pm]
May watch the above YT by SG Ministers, which explain SG position/views on geo-politics issues
Brilliant answers by SG politicians also
RY, [2/6/2025 1:55 pm]
https://youtu.be/bNC430N1fww?si=OL2Uqk80QtgIUxzy
REACH Singapore, [2/6/2025 2:02 pm]
π’ Topic π’
RY, [2/6/2025 2:04 pm]
May watch the YT interview by SM LHL with BBC journalist
SG principles are stated clearly
One of SG principle is Neutral
That explains why President Xi and ex-Taiwan President Ma held their meeting in SG
Also including the North Korea Kim meeting with USA Trump in SG
Being Neutral has its advantage and disadvantage also
I do agree with our SG Ministers point of view of staying Neutral will be more beneficial
Just like Switzerland being a neutral country n was not involved in both world wars
LCL (Danny εΏ), [2/6/2025 2:37 pm]
*Shangrila Dialogue* appeal to and is an attempt to invoke:-
1. The collective humanity conscience, sense of fairness and justice
- that all Countries (big or small) have a place in the World.
And must be able to coexist without the threat to live in fear of invasion, do business and co-prosper.
LCL (Danny εΏ), [2/6/2025 2:44 pm]
2. Invoking humanity conscience, fairness and justice - means not taking the sides whichever side got a stronger muscle to gain favor.
But looking at issues, listening to all sides of their stories and justification for taking actions, look at the outcomes --- and voice our opinions based on the "voice of reasons" ---- using the framework of International Laws, our very conscience --- standing by the sides of principles and morality.
"That is, we stand by the Priniciples of Karma.
Do good, do right - we reap the outcomes of Good Karma.
Do bad, do wrong - we reap the outcomes of Bad Karma."
No one, no Countries can escape the Universal Law of Karma.
RY, [2/6/2025 2:50 pm]
Hope Israel may also know the Universal Law of Karma .... Genocide
LCL (Danny εΏ), [2/6/2025 2:53 pm]
3. Every human has a ruler in their heart （εΏζδΈζε°Ί）。
Everyone head 3 feet got a divine （倴δΈδΈε°Ίζη₯ζ）。
In layman, every human heart got "Conscience" and inherently know what is "Right" or " Wrong" - whether conduct individually or as a Collective Whole as a Country.
LCL (Danny εΏ), [2/6/2025 3:01 pm]
4. Even though Singapore is a small Country, we can project our Conscience, a Soft power in the Global Stage to influence the outcomes of Global Affairs to make it a more peaceful, prosperous World --- by projecting our "Voices of Reasons".
Whereby Countries big or small can coexist in harmony - with no discrimination to races, skin colors, religions, culture. Everyone has a place in the World to live, coexist and prosper in peace and harmony.
Hence Shangrila Dialogue - is a good military diplomacy platform - to appeal and invoke the "Conscience" of Humanity, to foster different military to communicate and talk, understand from one another's viewpoints, hear from the majority of delegates represented by the various Countries --- and hopefully able to modify behaviours into a more moderate, wholesome ones - that promote peace and prosperity - instead of aggression, confrontation, and self-centred.
Military Diplomacy is a Soft Power - sometimes can be more effective and powerful - than brute strength, muscle and kinetic force - especially when soft power is projected through the "Voice of Reasons".
Nicholas, [2/6/2025 3:08 pm]
Good that Singapore organizes this dialogue each year, please keep it up, encourages dialogue amongst the defence ministers, and it's better that they be talking than battling.
LCL (Danny εΏ), [2/6/2025 3:09 pm]
6. At the more conventional, strategic level - inviting PM Malaysia as ASEAN chair, also our close neighbor, to speak his mind to safeguard ASEAN's trade and security, and coming from the mouth of our close neighbor - to appeal to Humanity Conscience to coexist peacefully and collaborate through trade, investment and business --- will surely safeguard Singapore security and prosperity - as we have close historical ties with Malaysia. (Where in the past - we have a troubled past - though now our relationship is very close).
A strategic master stroke.
LCL (Danny εΏ), [2/6/2025 3:10 pm]
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSkYJVaLH/
PM Anwar on his invitation by PM Lawrence Wong to speak on defence in Shangrila Security Dialogue.
Jun Ming, [2/6/2025 3:42 pm]
Maybe Singapore can try to invite Russia and Ukraine to have a dialogue next year
LCL (Danny εΏ), [2/6/2025 3:50 pm]
I think this conflict is not something that we can mediate.
Geographically, historically - we have no leverage to bring peace into fruition.
Turkey is now arbitrating the peace talk between Russia and Ukraine.
US in a better position to do so rather than here.
LCL (Danny εΏ), [2/6/2025 3:52 pm]
But certainly we can put forth our "voices of reasons".
But to influence the outcome, we are an outsider.
Jun Ming, [2/6/2025 3:53 pm]
I don't think us in a better position as they more prone to support Ukraine. Singapore although we can't persuade them I think they can have negotiation here in Singapore for Putin and zenelkeske (Dk how to spell his name)
LCL (Danny εΏ), [2/6/2025 3:58 pm]
Russia is a very different outfit.
They are in an advantage position - they won't budge.
Also Europe war, historically, you will need to know their very intricate details, nuance, their inner thoughts.
Means ζηΌζθ½εΊ¦。
Not everything we can transform into fruition.
Turkey is a EU country - friendly to both EU, Russia and Ukraine and US.
It is a better place and right position to bring a better outcome.
REACH Singapore, [2/6/2025 4:01 pm]
π’ Topic π’
LCL (Danny εΏ), [2/6/2025 4:10 pm]
In fact, Turkey, EU, Russia, Ukraine and US (NATO) - will have intense interest to stop the war - because they are a part of and at the frontline of the conflict.
Everyone lives is on the line.
Hence the impetus to stop the war and stop the killing - is all the more urgent.
Hence choosing the right place, right people, right location, right time - will bring a better outcome.
This is ε ηΌθε。
ζηΌζθ½εΊ¦ - δΊεεε。
That's only when mutual destiny converge - fruition will ripen.
Singapore is not part of such destiny - unable to bring about the fruition.
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