S’Pore must be realistic, but surely as the world order takes shape, says Vivian Balakrishnan

Singapore – The global conditions that had allowed Singapore to flourish and that are now in retirement are not a temporary change, and the country must be careful and realistic about the new worldly unpredictable and volatile world order that is taking shape, he said on March 3, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vivian Balakrishnan Vivian.

But this precautionary note is not a call to pessimism, because Singapore has good reasons to trust his future, provided he remains mainly, relevant and united as a people, he added.

Speaking during the debate about the budget of his ministry, Dr. Balakrishnan said that this was his tenth year as Minister of Foreign Affairs, and that he had never seen the world more interrupted, volatile or dangerous.

Although generations of Singapurenses workers had turned the country into a “lighthouse of economic and social success,” they had done so in a world of free trade proliferation, global supply chains and multinational companies, with countries that observe the rules of institutions such as the United Nations and international treaties.

But today, the great powers are having a closer vision of their national interests, while the lack of trust and deep anxieties have introduced a more clear rivalry and fracture supply chains, he said.

“Countries have become inward, apparently in the name of the national security resilience and the elimination of emphasis, to ensure their individual interests in this turbulent environment,” said Dr. Balakrishnan.

“This is not simply a sudden and temporary change in the diplomatic climate. This is the geo-stratic climate change. “

In fact, the world can return to a time when it was divided into blocks controlled by great powers, which, by definition, must mean the loss of choice and autonomy for small states, he added.

Answering the questions raised by about 20 parliamentarians in a variety of issues, from the rivalry between the United States and China to Singapore relations with its neighbors, Dr. Balakrishnan said that the problem goes beyond trade and tariffs on the potential weapon of financial systems and border technology.

The Singapore model, based on being a vital node in a global network, and allowing interoperability by allowing companies around the world to be based as long as they play with the rules, they had allowed it to prosper for six decades.

But this open paradigm is now at risk, since technology has become a focal point for the strategic response between great powers, and several have imposed restrictions and export controls on semiconductors, critical minerals and data, Dr. Balakrishnan said.

The high scrutiny about advanced technology means that there will be pressure from all sides that will make it difficult for Singapore to operate, and threaten to be like an open center.

But Dr. Balakrishnan emphasized that Singapore has three central strengths that put him in a strong position to face the future with confidence.

The first is its economic strength and its reservations, which means that Singapore does not have to ask for help or receive loans that will submit the country to external pressure, or depend on an external partner, said Foreign Minister.

“Due to our strength economically, we cannot be intimidated or bought. We have important national reserves, and if the greatest criticism we face in this budget is the aim of the budget and have more reservations than we had anticipated, I think that is a reason for the celebration, “said Dr. Balakrishnan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9p4vzxobtk

Secondly, Singapore has the will and abilities to defend himself, having invested fiscal resources in defense for six decades.

“The fact that everyone knows that we are good for our money and that we put our blood where we meet is the core of deterrence and respect,” he said.

But most importantly, Singapore has remained united, and his diplomacy works because he has thoroughly forged and maintained a domestic consensus on long -term central interests and foreign policy priorities, said Dr. Balakrishnan.

The diversity of the country means that from time to time, Singapurenses will have different points of view on global developments, such as Gaza disaster, he said. “We have to provide space for this diversity to express, but without letting it become a means to divide as a country.”

Given these dangerous times, Singapore’s foreign policy must continue to be anchored by long -standing principles that have kept it afloat for six decades, said Dr. Balakrishnan. He added that this means that the Republic must maintain an omnidirectional, balanced and constructive commitment with all partners, although it will be more difficult when they fight each other.

Singapore can be among the most reliable and consistent partners of the United States and China, and that is valuable and appreciated by both, he added.

“We have maintained our relevance and credibility with both powers when consistent, being transparent and constructive,” he said. “We don’t simply tell them what they want to hear, but we are principles, we are reliable and we play a direct game.”

Singapore will also strengthen its ties in the region, more intensely with Malaysia and Indonesia, and also with ASEAN, he added.

With Malaysia, both parties will continue to work on the delimitation of maritime limits and will also continue negotiations on airspace and water, he said, and pointed out that both Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, have committed to not allowing any unique topic to exceed the general positive agenda.

With Indonesia, Prime Minister Wong was the first foreign leader in Visit Yakarta after President Prabowo Subrianto assumed the position, And both parties are making good progress in areas such as renewable energy, human capital development, education and medical care, he added.

On how Singapore will maintain access to border technology, Dr. Balakrishnan said the short response is openness and trust.

While it remains clear with clear eyes on the dispute of the great power and how that complicates its efforts to create an open Platform, Singapore has to actively create opportunities to remain A magnet for ideas, technology, talent and capital, he said.

The country will also take firm measures and move decisively against individuals and wandering companies that influence its laws, he said. Nor approves companies that take advantage of their association with Singapore to participate in evasive, misleading or doubtful commercial practices, since that would happen Singapore’s reputation.

Dr. Balakrishnan also touched the legal action taken against two Singapurenses and a Chinese national On February 27, after Singapore was indicated by US legislators who requested more strict requirements in countries to avoid the choice of US export controls for advanced NVIDIA chips.

“We are doing it to protect our position as an open and trusted center built thoroughly for decades,” he said. “This is how we have maintained an attractive destination for leading companies with technology around the world.”

Dr. Balakrishnan said there was no doubt that the world is at the end of an era. The most dangerous phase is when a world order is being replaced by a new world order, and it is likely that interregnum will be chaotic, difficult, dangerous and tumultuous, he said.

Singapurenses have to be realistic, careful and agile, but Singapore has strengths and there are opportunities ahead, he emphasized.

“We need the support and unity of all Singapurenses … to forge an unbreakable unit in the midst of a large tumult and volatility,” he said. “And if we can do it, then we can face the future with confidence, and Singapore will emerge stronger.”

Join ST Channel And get the latest news and obligatory readings.