Events like Shangri-La Dialogue help reduce the chances of misunderstanding by countries: Chan Chun Sing

Singapore’s Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing emphasized the importance of forums like the Shangri-La Dialogue in fostering mutual understanding and reducing the risk of miscalculation between nations. Speaking after this year’s event, he noted that such dialogues allow countries to address issues discreetly, often leading to successful conflict management. Chan described the forum as a platform where nations can share perspectives and learn from each other’s approaches to security challenges. A key outcome from this year’s Dialogue was the launch of the Guiding Principles for Underwater Infrastructure Defence Exchanges (GUIDE) framework, initiated by 17 countries including Singapore. The framework aims to protect critical underwater infrastructure, with Chan crediting bilateral and multilateral discussions over the past year for securing broad participation. Regarding China’s involvement, Chan urged against dismissing its delegation as ‘low-level,’ stating that Beijing’s participation varies yearly based on its own considerations. The Chinese delegation, representing the People’s Liberation Army National Defence University, engaged actively in plenary sessions, reinforcing its presence at the event. Chan also expressed satisfaction with the recent summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, calling it a positive development for bilateral relations. He observed that officials from both nations appeared to align with the constructive tone set by the meeting during the Dialogue. The minister stressed that preemptive dialogue is essential in defense strategy, allowing nations to address potential conflicts before they escalate. He highlighted the Dialogue’s role in building flexible partnerships among like-minded countries, framing these collaborations as ‘coalitions of the able and willing.’