Singapore’s foreign policy must remain anchored in long standing principles that have kept the nation afloat for six decades, Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan stressed on March 3, even if tactical or strategic adjustments are made during these tumultuous times.
“[Our foreign policy] must always be a balance between realism and idealism. It means we must have no illusions about our place in the world, but small as we are, for 60 years, we have refused to adopt a fatalistic posture,” he said.
“We have insisted on agency to build our strength, to protect our sovereignty, maintain our relevance, to create political and economic space for ourselves,” he added while laying out his ministry’s annual spending plans in Parliament.
“We strive to be useful, but not to be made use of. And of course, to avoid becoming a sacrificial pawn between big powers.”
This means that Singapore must maintain an omni-directional, balanced, and constructive engagement with all partners, he said. They include the United States and Republic of China, even though it will be more difficult when they are quarrelling with one another.
“We have maintained our relevance and credibility with both powers by being consistent, by being transparent and being constructive,” he said. “We don’t simply tell them what they want to hear, but we are principled, we are trustworthy, and we play a straight game.”
He also highlighted the importance of strengthening ties with ASEAN neighbours and making common cause with as many partners as possible. They include India, Japan, Middle East, Africa, Europe, Latin America, Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.
Rules-based global order at risk of degenerating into law of the jungle: Vivian
In his speech, Dr Balakrishnan said that the rules-based international order that has prevailed for 80 years is at risk of degenerating into the “law of the jungle” where “might makes right”. And in its place, a new world order is taking shape, characterised by profound unpredictability, instability and volatility,
“The big powers are taking a narrower view of their national interests, and they are adopting a more transactional, frankly, sometimes even a more coercive approach,” he said.
“Countries have turned inwards, ostensibly in the name of national security resilience and de-risking in order to secure their individual interests in this turbulent environment,”
“We may, in fact, be reverting to a time when the world is divided into blocks controlled by big powers, and by definition, this must mean the loss of choice and autonomy for small states,” he said, while highlighting the implications that Singapore faces.
Dr Balakrishnan said there was no doubt that the world is at the end of an era. The most dangerous phase is when one world order is being replaced by a new world order, and the interregnum is likely to be chaotic, difficult, dangerous and tumultuous, he noted.
“Singapore and Singaporeans, every one of us will need to be realistic, to be careful and to be nimble.”
However, this note of caution is not a cause for pessimism. Singapore has good reasons to be confident about its future due to the pioneering work of past generations, he stressed. Singapore is in a good position and its core strengths are based on three key pillars: its economic strength and reserves, its ability to defend itself, and its domestic cohesion.
“Because of our strength economically, we cannot be bullied or bought. We have significant national reserves, and if the biggest criticism that we face in this Budget is budget marksmanship and having more reserves than we had anticipated, I think that’s a reason for celebration,” said Dr Balakrishnan.
Acknowledging the opportunities ahead, he urged Singaporeans to stay principled, calm, confident and continue to be relevant, useful, and honest.
“We need the support and unity of all Singaporeans.., to forge an unbreakable unity in the midst of great tumult and volatility. And if we can do so, then we can face the future with confidence, and Singapore will emerge stronger.”
