“My team and I have not stopped working.” said PM Wong, at the time. “I have been speaking with other world leaders – strengthening partnerships and securing new opportunities. Gan Kim Yong, Tan See Leng and others have been on call with their counterparts – keeping our economic ties strong and working out new frameworks for trade and investments.”
The work has not lessened since then. Our senior cabinet ministers, and the hard working civil service that supports them, have forged new paths and opportunities for Singapore in this changed world.
Recently, we finalised a new Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSR) with France, while speeches at the Shangri-La Dialogue and the Nikkei International Forum, have helped to build networks and upgrade ties on the international stage. Our leaders are actively taking steps to secure Singapore’s future on multiple fronts — research, culture, trade, energy and defence.
Here are 5 big takeaways about our recent efforts:
Upgrading ties with major partners, working closely with like-minded countries
Source: Lawrence Wong / Facebook
France and Singapore signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) in recent days (30 May).
“In today’s uncertain world, it is even more important for like-minded countries like France and Singapore to work together,” said PM Wong, soon after formalising the CSP with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Key areas in the CSP include defence, the economy, technology research as well as energy and sustainability.
“Under the framework of the CSP, we will expand collaboration into new and emerging frontier areas such as the green and digital economies, artificial intelligence, quantum technology and nuclear energy,” added PM Wong
The CSP upgrades the Strategic Partnership between France and Singapore.
“People-to-people exchanges are another important part of our relationship,” said PM Wong about the Singapore-France CSP. “The French presence in Singapore is growing, and likewise the Singapore presence in France. Our cultural ties are growing too. We hope to build on these robust linkages to do more together.”
These linkages include greater collaboration between educational and research institutes, with joint technical and vocational training that will benefit local Singaporeans. Both countries will also work towards greater arts and cultural exchange.
PM Wong also announced collaborations with the Philippines on climate goals and boosting energy resilience (4 Jun).
He has also had discussions with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim about the upcoming Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link and the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (31 May). Both developments are set to bring significant economic benefit to citizens of both countries when fully operational.
A rules-based order for fair global trade
Source: Prime Minister’s Office
Singapore has been making its case for the rules-based trading order that has brought prosperity to many around the world. We will act to keep multilateral trade going so that our region may continue growing and prospering.
“We must do all we can to reinforce a shared rules-based order, so that global trade can continue to be conducted on a free, fair and non-discriminatory basis,” said Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong in Japan at the Nikkei International Forum on the Future of Asia (29 May), to numerous other Asian leaders.
DPM Gan highlighted the World Trade Organisation’s ‘Most Favoured Nation’ principle as important for Asia — it safeguards a level playing field for economies big and small.
“If members decide to trade only on their own terms, and impose tariffs as and when they wish, larger economies will always possess stronger levers,” said DPM Gan. “And on the other hand, smaller economies that have less bargaining power risk being marginalised and left behind.”
Leading the fight against global climate change
DPM Gan also discussed leading the fight against climate change, such as planning an integrated ASEAN Power Grid (APG) to help renewable energy flow across borders.
“We welcome the interest and support of the World Bank and Asian Development Bank in mobilising financing to support the APG project,” said DPM Gan.
DPM Gan also pointed out the very real consequences of climate change for Southeast Asian countries.
“By 2030, three quarters of Southeast Asian cities could face regular flooding, potentially displacing tens of millions of people,” he said. “Extreme weather will disrupt food supplies and unleash public health crises.”
Singapore will keep critical underwater infrastructure safe
Singapore will also safeguard critical underwater infrastructure which carries vital data and energy across the ASEAN region, according to Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing.
“Together with our ASEAN partners, Singapore will play our part by raising awareness and developing a set of principles to facilitate defence cooperation on critical underwater infrastructure security in our region,” said Minister Chan to international defence leaders at the Shangri-La Dialogues (01 Jun).
The Shangri-La Dialogues are Asia’s premiere security summit.
“As our critical underwater infrastructure cuts across national boundaries, we must work together to secure our access to data and energy,” said Minister Chan.
“Because in a network you cannot defend by only looking at a point. In a network, we must defend the network as a team,” he highlighted.
If we have to choose sides, may we choose the side of principles
Source: Chan Chun Sing / TikTok
Singapore will continue choosing principles, not sides, in this era of great power rivalry.
“[These are] principles that promote a more integrated global economic and security order underpinned by international law and sovereign equality,” said Minister Chan. “Where states — big and small — have a fair chance to compete and can improve the lives of our people through trade and not war.”
Singapore’s principled approach is consistent, and based on long-term national interests.
Sticking to these principles allows Singapore to remain a reliable partner on the international stage, enhancing Singapore’s continued survival and success in years to come.
