Going alone is not the answer to insecurity – Mr Chan

This annual defence summit marks its 22nd edition hosted by Singapore, with this year’s edition seeing 47 countries in attendance – 40 Ministerial-level delegates, more than 20 Chiefs of Defence Force-level delegates, and more than 20 senior defence officials.

This is also Mr Chan’s first SLD as defence minister.

Here’s what went down at the three-day event:

Collective pursuit of security and prosperity

Speaking at the sixth SLD plenary session on 1 Jun, Mr Chan highlighted three points:

Countries should pursue collective security, not just individual security. Noting that countries tended to reduce their dependence on others to mitigate risks, Mr Chan cautioned all that going alone was not the answer to insecurity.

He added that the pursuit of individual security must be carried out with a firm commitment to international laws and norms. “If there is no trust that countries will act in accordance to these 'rules', then the quest for one’s security could easily lead to greater insecurity in others,” he said.

Secondly, Mr Chan said that international cooperation and effective diplomacy must start with domestic confidence. “Externalising one’s domestic issues cannot be the solution to one’s domestic challenges.”

He said that domestic cohesion and clear policies enabled countries to build credibility, and that “it is easier to work and negotiate with a credible partner”.

Thirdly, all states have a responsibility to uphold the global order for common benefit. “For Singapore, we believe that taking sides regardless of issues and context breeds irrelevance,” said Mr Chan.

“If we have to choose sides, may we choose the side of principles – principles that uphold a global order, where we do not descend into the law of the jungle, where the mighty do what they wish and the weak suffer what they must.” 

Mr Chan then reiterated Singapore’s commitment to the global economic and security order: “Singapore will choose the side of principles that promote a more integrated global economic and security order underpinned by international law and sovereign equality, where states – big and small – have a fair chance to compete and can improve the lives of our people through trade and not war.”

Building constructive dialogue

Over the three days, Mr Chan met with ministers from countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, New Zealand, Japan and the United States (US).

On the morning of 1 Jun, he met up with Australia Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles for a cycling session through Singapore’s Marina Bay area.

Mr Chan also hosted ministers and their representatives at two roundtable discussions on 31 May and 1 Jun.

During the sessions, the delegates discussed a wide range of issues, including the importance for the international community to work together and how countries should seek to establish resilience in the face of emerging challenges.

Mr Chan described the roundtable discussion with one word: Trust.

“Without that basic level of trust, it is very difficult for people to work with one another, to share information with one another, and to help one another check our blind spots.”

Ministers from the Five Power Defence Arrangements also met over breakfast on 31 May where they reaffirmed their nation’s commitments to the Arrangements.

Present were Malaysia Minister of Defence Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, New Zealand Minister of Defence Judith Collins KC, the United Kingdom Minister of State (Minister for House of Lords) Lord Vernon Coaker, and Australia Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles.

S'pore and France strengthen bilateral defence partnership

On 30 May, Mr Chan and French Minister for the Armed Forces Mr Sébastien Lecornu exchanged a Declaration of Intent on Enhanced Defence Cooperation, Letter of Intent on Defence Artificial Intelligence Cooperation, and the Amendment to the Administrative Arrangement on Defence Technology Cooperation.

The exchanges were witnessed by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron as part of President Macron’s State Visit.

S’pore, US reaffirm longstanding defence relationship

Mr Chan and US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth met over breakfast on 30 May, reaffirming their longstanding bilateral defence relationship and the mutually beneficial partnership between Singapore and the US.

Both Mr Chan and Mr Hegseth agreed on the importance of the US’ continued engagement in the region, which is vital for regional peace, stability and prosperity

Later that evening, they joined other Southeast Asian Defence Ministers and their representatives at an informal Southeast Asia-US Defence Ministers meeting.

During the meeting, Mr Chan welcomed the US’ commitment to engage ASEAN, and emphasised the importance of frank and open conversations with the US.

Mr Chan also mentioned that he looks forward to strengthening Singapore’s existing cooperation with the US, as well as in emerging domains like cybersecurity and counter-terrorism.

SLD continues to be useful

Speaking to media in an interview on 31 May, Mr Chan said: “The participation (at the SLD) has continued to grow over all these years because many people found it a useful platform to exchange perspectives.

“We may not always agree with one another on all issues, but the most important point is that we have a platform to have meetings to allow people to talk to one another, exchange perspectives, and minimise the chances of misreading each other’s intentions,” said Mr Chan.

“There will always be challenges, but if we have the commitment to seek peace and to work on building relationship and trust, then I’m confident that we can overcome the challenges by finding solutions.”