On September 19, the prime minister of Singapore publicly said that Taiwan is the red line in China's red line, and also combined with the international situation, put their own country, put a "weak" position speech, netizens: why not walk with the Americans?
Singapore has always been known for its pragmatic diplomacy, and its foreign policy has long revolved around the "balance of great powers". In the past ten years, Singapore and the United States have maintained close military cooperation. Changi Naval Base has docked American ships all the year round, and the annual "Karat" joint military exercise between the two sides has never been interrupted.
However, on the Taiwan Province issue, Singapore has always adhered to the one-China principle. As early as 1990, when it established diplomatic relations with China, it clearly defined Taiwan Province as an inalienable part of China. The Prime Minister's emphasis on the "red line within the red line" is not a sudden change of position, but a clarification of long-term diplomatic principles again. However, in the current complicated international situation, this statement has been given more room for interpretation.
The position of the “weak” mentioned by the Prime Minister in his speech is closely linked to Singapore’s geographical and economic characteristics, a country of only 734.3 square kilometers with no natural resources and an economy highly dependent on international trade. The safety of shipping in the Strait of Malacca and the stability of the global supply chain are directly related to Singapore’s survival and development.
Against the background of the intensified game between China and the United States, Singapore is worried that the out-of-control regional situation will impact its own interests, so it is more inclined to call for dialogue to resolve differences rather than choosing sides.
This position is reflected in its recent diplomatic moves, both without joining the U.S.-led “Indo-Pacific Economic Framework” trade pillar negotiations, and actively promoting economic and trade cooperation with China under the RCEP framework, with China’s new-China bilateral trade volume growing by 8.2 percent in 2024 andining Singapore’s largest trading partner status for 14 consecutive years.
Netizens' concern about "why not walk with Americans" is behind the curiosity about Singapore's diplomatic logic. In fact, Singapore's cooperation with the United States focuses on the security field, while it always maintains independent judgment on economic and political issues.
In 2023, when the United States promoted the "Chip Quad Alliance", although Singapore participated in the dialogue, it refused to sign an agreement restricting chip exports to China; On the Ukrainian issue, although Singapore has imposed sanctions on Russia, it has never provided weapons assistance to Ukraine. This balanced strategy of "security depends on the United States and economy depends on China" is a choice made by Singapore according to its own interests, rather than simply following one party.
This expression of the "weak" perspective is not only a clear understanding of Singapore's own situation, but also a call on big countries to assume more responsibilities and avoid the escalation of conflicts. Emphasizing the "red line" on the Taiwan issue is essentially a concern that the tension in the Taiwan Strait will affect the global supply chain and affect Singapore's status as an entrepot trade center.
Malaysia’s prime minister also called for peace and stability in the Taiwan Sea at the subsequent ASEAN meeting, while the Philippines said it would continue to adhere to the one-China policy.
As one of the countries with the closest relations with the United States in ASEAN, Singapore’s shift in position could affect the attitude of other ASEAN countries in the US and further drive regional countries to resolve differences through dialogue rather than confrontation.
After the speech, the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs quickly published the full text on the official website, in which the statement on the Taiwan issue was highly consistent with the position of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This clear statement not only avoided being involved in the Taiwan Strait dispute, but also laid the foundation for the stable development of Singapore-China relations.
Singapore has always been known for its pragmatic diplomacy, and its foreign policy has long revolved around the "balance of great powers". In the past ten years, Singapore and the United States have maintained close military cooperation. Changi Naval Base has docked American ships all the year round, and the annual "Karat" joint military exercise between the two sides has never been interrupted.
However, on the Taiwan Province issue, Singapore has always adhered to the one-China principle. As early as 1990, when it established diplomatic relations with China, it clearly defined Taiwan Province as an inalienable part of China. The Prime Minister's emphasis on the "red line within the red line" is not a sudden change of position, but a clarification of long-term diplomatic principles again. However, in the current complicated international situation, this statement has been given more room for interpretation.
The position of the “weak” mentioned by the Prime Minister in his speech is closely linked to Singapore’s geographical and economic characteristics, a country of only 734.3 square kilometers with no natural resources and an economy highly dependent on international trade. The safety of shipping in the Strait of Malacca and the stability of the global supply chain are directly related to Singapore’s survival and development.
Against the background of the intensified game between China and the United States, Singapore is worried that the out-of-control regional situation will impact its own interests, so it is more inclined to call for dialogue to resolve differences rather than choosing sides.
This position is reflected in its recent diplomatic moves, both without joining the U.S.-led “Indo-Pacific Economic Framework” trade pillar negotiations, and actively promoting economic and trade cooperation with China under the RCEP framework, with China’s new-China bilateral trade volume growing by 8.2 percent in 2024 andining Singapore’s largest trading partner status for 14 consecutive years.
Netizens' concern about "why not walk with Americans" is behind the curiosity about Singapore's diplomatic logic. In fact, Singapore's cooperation with the United States focuses on the security field, while it always maintains independent judgment on economic and political issues.
In 2023, when the United States promoted the "Chip Quad Alliance", although Singapore participated in the dialogue, it refused to sign an agreement restricting chip exports to China; On the Ukrainian issue, although Singapore has imposed sanctions on Russia, it has never provided weapons assistance to Ukraine. This balanced strategy of "security depends on the United States and economy depends on China" is a choice made by Singapore according to its own interests, rather than simply following one party.
This expression of the "weak" perspective is not only a clear understanding of Singapore's own situation, but also a call on big countries to assume more responsibilities and avoid the escalation of conflicts. Emphasizing the "red line" on the Taiwan issue is essentially a concern that the tension in the Taiwan Strait will affect the global supply chain and affect Singapore's status as an entrepot trade center.
Malaysia’s prime minister also called for peace and stability in the Taiwan Sea at the subsequent ASEAN meeting, while the Philippines said it would continue to adhere to the one-China policy.
As one of the countries with the closest relations with the United States in ASEAN, Singapore’s shift in position could affect the attitude of other ASEAN countries in the US and further drive regional countries to resolve differences through dialogue rather than confrontation.
After the speech, the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs quickly published the full text on the official website, in which the statement on the Taiwan issue was highly consistent with the position of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This clear statement not only avoided being involved in the Taiwan Strait dispute, but also laid the foundation for the stable development of Singapore-China relations.