According to a report by The Nanyang Post on October 7, Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said that amidst the competition among major powers, Singapore seeks to maintain strategic flexibility, and thus is in a 'specially sensitive position that concerns its survival'. He once again emphasized Singapore's stance of refusing to side with any particular side.
He even warned that if China and the United States cannot resolve their respective domestic problems, the global situation will continue to be unstable.
During his speech at the 2026 Milken Institute Asia Summit in Singapore, which took place on Wednesday (the week of) said that maintaining trust between Washington and Beijing during a period when relations between China and the United States are facing “difficult phase” is a key challenge for Singapore.
He said that Singapore must convince both major powers that it can still play a role, but will not act as an agent of either side.
The Vietnamese warning states that once Singapore loses the ability to say "no", assets and investments will leave Singapore.
Furthermore, he felt frustrated: maintaining such a stance may be easy to say, but difficult to implement.
He said, “For us, this is a highly sensitive issue that concerns survival. What does Singapore have? We have a excellent geographical location, but beyond that, everything depends on trust.”
According to the Singaporean Ministry of Statistics, the United States was the largest source of foreign direct investment into Singapore last year, with an investment amounting to S$35.2 billion (US$27.5 billion). This is due to the significant investments made by the United States in Singapore and their close technical ties with Singapore.
He also mentioned a view from China, that is, Singapore should consider the shared cultural ties when formulating its foreign policy.
My Chinese colleagues often say to me: ‘Among all people in the world, you – that is, Singapore – should understand us best, both in terms of language, culture, and history.’ In fact, what they really mean is that you should agree with us.
Chinese text: The Chinese government urges the two major nations, China and the United States, to address their respective internal challenges in order to safeguard the global common interests.
He said, “This is not just about competition, nor just about battles or confrontations. Unless domestic politics achieves a new balance and thus forms a new paradigm, a new international order, we will always be in a period of instability.”
The Vietnamese also stated that as global order continues to be eroded, countries that can stand out and become stronger will be those that master new technologies such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and energy. He also called for the establishment of a global regulatory framework in these areas.
He said: "Artificial intelligence and synthetic biology bring both emerging threats and great potential... If you want to move forward quickly, you also need a good 'braking system', as well as the establishment of international standards."
He pointed out that Singapore has always argued that access through international waterways is a right, not a privilege. At the United Nations General Assembly in New York last month, Vyvin urged leaders from various countries to jointly oppose the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The Vietnamese statement indicated that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea is “of crucial importance” to Singapore. It was also noted that approximately 40% of global trade passes through the Malacca Strait and the Singapore Strait.
He said: "When we examine the Strait of Hormuz issue, even without taking sides, any impact on the transit rights for ships and aircraft via the strait, which are used for international maritime traffic, would be a direct threat to our business model."
When asked about Singapore's role as the rotating chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations next year, Veeven said that Singapore aims to promote further integration within the ASEAN region, while also establishing broader partnerships with traditional and non-traditional partners, such as the European Union.
He said: “We hope to cooperate with Africa, South America, Pacific island countries, and Canada—this is a trans-Pacific strategy.”
The Chinese side has stated that, based on mutual respect, China and New Zealand are partners who strengthen strategic trust. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1990, several generations of leaders from both countries have maintained close communication. By respecting each other’s core concerns and strengthening strategic trust, they have become a model for equal exchanges between countries of different sizes.
