SINGAPORE — Singapore is working to renew an agreement granting the United States access to military facilities here next year.

Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman, Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, revealed this on Friday (March 1) at the Committee of Supply debate on his ministry’s budget, pointing out that Singapore had signed a landmark agreement in 1990, allowing the US access to its military facilities.

Although he did not provide more details, it has been reported that under the agreement, the US can use the Sembawang base to provide logistical support for transiting American military aircraft and vessels. Another provision was added to the agreement in 1998 which allows US military vessels to stop at Changi Naval Base.

The latest development comes amid a growing rivalry between the US and China, and Singapore was keen to stress the need for it to remain neutral. 

In his speech, Dr Maliki said that the US is a major defence and economic partner for Singapore. For decades, it has also been a stabilising force in the Asia-Pacific region.

“Its continued commitment and sustained military presence in the region is even more vital today given the evolving regional developments,” said Dr Maliki, who is also the Senior Minister of State for Defence.

Aside from engaging in an ongoing trade war, the two biggest economies of the world are also competing to assert their influence in the Asia-Pacific region, including South-east Asia.

Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan noted this as he said that the dynamic between the US and China is “shifting from one of engagement to one of strategic rivalry and competition”.

There is “bipartisan consensus” that America has been taken advantage of by China, and the US must now play hardball, he said.

China, on the other hand, is pursuing the “China dream” and is determined that the “century of humiliation” will not be repeated, in the sense that it will not allow the US or any other country “to stop it from taking its rightful place in the world”, Dr Balakrishnan added.

Even if trade tensions are resolved, he said that the US-China strategic contest will continue to be waged in other areas including defence, energy, cyber security and outer space.

SINGAPORE MUST REMAIN NEUTRAL

Against the backdrop of a US-China power struggle, Dr Balakrishnan said that countries, including Singapore, “will come under intense pressure to choose sides”.

But Singapore’s position is clear: It has to remain neutral, he stressed. This means that it has to always be a “credible, consistent and reliable partner” and continue to be “honest brokers and we will deal fairly and openly with all parties”.

“The key point is this and many of you have asked, ‘How are you going to deal when people force or try to force you to choose sides?’ The key point is our neutrality. And that Singapore cannot be bought nor can we be bullied,” Dr Balakrishnan told the House.

“We are not ‘for’ or ‘against’ anyone. We are ‘pro-Singapore and pro-Singaporeans’. We will be nobody’s stooge, we will not act on behest of any other power. We act consistently and purely in the long-term interest of Singaporeans.”

Dr Balakrishnan pointed out that Singapore’s credibility allows it to play a constructive role in international affairs, and the country aims to be a “friend to all but an enemy of none”.

This is especially important in South-east Asia, where the region’s peace and stability “are absolutely essential”, he added.

Responding to questions and concerns raised by several Members of Parliament over Singapore’s ties with its closest neighbours Malaysia and Indonesia, Dr Balakrishnan said that those countries “will always be of special importance to us”.

He pointed out that though Singapore and Malaysia are engaged in several bilateral disputes that have transpired in recent months, Singapore is committed to resolve the issues amicably and constructively in “strict accordance” with bilateral agreements and international law.

As for Indonesia, bilateral cooperation “remains deep and multi-faceted”, reinforced by frequent high-level exchanges. Both Singapore and Indonesia also share common defence and security challenges, with their agencies working closely through frequent military exercises and counter-terrorism intelligence sharing.