‘We will refuse to choose’: Singapore won’t be used as pawn in US-China rivalry, says foreign minister
Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan stated that the city-state will not act as a proxy for the US or China in their ongoing geopolitical rivalry. He emphasized that Singapore aims to maintain its independence and trust with both superpowers without being forced to choose sides.
Why it matters
This reflects the delicate diplomatic balancing act required by smaller nations navigating the intensifying US-China strategic competition.
Malay Mail SINGAPORE, Oct 9 — Singapore will not allow itself to be used as a proxy or bargaining chip in the rivalry between the United States and China, Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan has said, warning that forcing the city-state to choose sides could produce an answer neither superpower would welcome.
Balakrishnan said Singapore must preserve its independence and maintain the trust of both Washington and Beijing, even as tensions between the two powers make navigating their relationship increasingly difficult.
Speaking at the Milken Institute Asia Summit on Wednesday, he said Singapore would continue to resist pressure to align itself with either country for as long as possible, according to Singapore news portal Mothership .
"As far as we can do so, we will refuse to choose, because the moment you choose, you have lost strategic options and strategic latitude," he said.
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