Singapore’s Defense Minister Chan Chun Sing began his first official visit to China as minister with a stop in Guangzhou, underscoring the importance of defense ties between the two countries. This visit, taking place from September 15 to 18, 2025, marks a significant step in bilateral relations during the 35th anniversary year of Singapore-China diplomatic ties.

Chan’s itinerary included a visit to the headquarters of China’s Southern Theatre Command, which plays a key role in South China Sea operations. He met General Wu Yanan, the theatre commander, to reaffirm military cooperation and dialogue between the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

Further strengthening these ties, Chan toured the Southern Theatre Command Navy headquarters in Zhanjiang and met with Vice-Admiral Yang Zhiliang. He also inspected a guard of honour aboard the Luyang III-class destroyer Zhanjiang and observed advanced naval training facilities, including simulation systems and damage control centers.

Looking ahead, Chan will attend the 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, a major security dialogue hosted by China. His agenda also includes meetings with senior Chinese leaders in Beijing and participation in roundtable discussions at the PLA National Defence University.

Frequent high-level exchanges and joint exercises have been central to Singapore-China defence relations. Chan emphasized that regular naval interactions have enhanced mutual trust and fostered strong professional relationships among service personnel.

This visit highlights Singapore’s ongoing commitment to maintaining robust defence engagement with China. Both nations continue to describe their military relationship as longstanding and warm, citing regular dialogue as essential for regional stability.

The visit is widely viewed as reinforcing strategic communication channels and contributing to peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region.

Strategic Relationship Management

Timing and Symbolism The fact that this is Chan’s first visit to China as Defence Minister carries significant diplomatic weight. By prioritizing China early in his tenure, Singapore signals that it values the defense relationship despite regional tensions. This helps MINDEF maintain its policy of engaging all major powers rather than choosing sides in great power competition.

Choosing the Southern Theatre Command Visiting specifically the Southern Theatre Command is strategically astute for several reasons:

Direct Relevance to Singapore: This command oversees the South China Sea, through which Singapore’s vital sea lanes pass. About 25% of global trade transits these waters, making this directly relevant to Singapore’s economic security.
Operational Understanding: By engaging with the command responsible for South China Sea operations, MINDEF gains insights into Chinese military thinking and operational patterns in waters critical to Singapore’s interests.
Relationship Building with Key Decision-Makers: The Southern Theatre Command leadership directly influences activities that could affect Singapore’s maritime security, making personal relationships with commanders like General Wu Yanan valuable for future crisis management.

Strategic Benefits for MINDEF

Intelligence and Transparency

Provides MINDEF with firsthand observation of Chinese naval capabilities and doctrine
Allows assessment of China’s military modernization and operational readiness
Creates channels for information sharing that could prevent misunderstandings during tense periods

Crisis Prevention Mechanism

Establishes personal relationships that can be activated during regional crises
Creates communication channels outside formal diplomatic routes
Helps build mutual understanding of each side’s red lines and interests

Regional Balance Management

Demonstrates Singapore’s commitment to engaging China while maintaining relationships with other powers (US, India, Japan)
Shows smaller nations that engagement, rather than confrontation, remains viable
Positions Singapore as a trusted interlocutor who can facilitate dialogue between major powers

Operational Cooperation

Facilitates practical cooperation in areas like maritime security, anti-piracy, and humanitarian assistance
Enables coordination during natural disasters or maritime emergencies
Creates framework for joint training and exercises that build interoperability

Broader Strategic Context

Hedging Strategy Support This visit supports Singapore’s broader hedging strategy by:

Maintaining defense ties with China while preserving security partnerships with the US
Avoiding the need to choose sides in US-China strategic competition
Preserving Singapore’s traditional role as a neutral facilitator

ASEAN Leadership

Demonstrates how smaller nations can engage major powers constructively
Provides Singapore with credibility when advocating for ASEAN’s approach to China
Positions Singapore to share insights with ASEAN partners about Chinese military thinking

Economic-Security Nexus

Supports Singapore’s economic relationship with China (its largest trading partner) by maintaining stable security ties
Reduces risk of security tensions spilling over into economic cooperation
Helps ensure continued Chinese acceptance of Singapore’s role as a regional business hub

Long-term Strategic Value

Institutional Resilience By building relationships across different levels of China’s military hierarchy, MINDEF creates multiple channels of communication that can survive personnel changes and political shifts.

Crisis Management Capability These relationships provide MINDEF with options for managing potential crises, whether involving Singapore directly or requiring Singapore’s good offices as a mediator.

Strategic Autonomy Maintaining substantive defense relationships with China helps preserve Singapore’s strategic autonomy by ensuring it’s not overly dependent on any single security partner.

This visit ultimately helps MINDEF navigate the complex challenge of maintaining Singapore’s security in an era of intensifying great power competition while preserving the country’s prosperity and strategic autonomy.

Here’s a scenario-based analysis of how these strategic benefits could play out in practice:

Institutional Resilience Scenarios

Scenario 1: Leadership Transition in Beijing Context: Major reshuffle in China’s military leadership, including Southern Theatre Command

Without established relationships:

Singapore would need to start from scratch with new Chinese military leaders
Risk of misunderstanding Singapore’s strategic position and policies
Potential for new leaders to view Singapore with suspicion or as overly aligned with US interests

With multi-level relationships:

MINDEF has contacts across colonel, general, and political commissar levels who can brief new leadership
Institutional memory of Singapore-China military cooperation remains intact
New commanders inherit understanding of Singapore’s balanced approach and value as a partner

Scenario 2: Political Tensions Over Taiwan Context: Cross-strait crisis escalates, affecting regional military postures

Multi-channel benefit:

MINDEF can engage through Southern Theatre Command (operational level), Defense Ministry (policy level), and PLA National Defense University (strategic/academic level)
If one channel becomes politically sensitive, others remain available
Different perspectives from various Chinese military institutions help Singapore understand Beijing’s full spectrum of thinking

Crisis Management Scenarios

Scenario 3: South China Sea Maritime Incident Context: Collision between Singapore-flagged vessel and Chinese coast guard ship

Direct crisis involvement:

Chan’s relationship with General Wu Yanan provides immediate access to the command responsible for South China Sea operations
Personal ties allow for rapid clarification of facts before incident escalates
Southern Theatre Command can coordinate with coast guard to prevent further incidents while investigation proceeds
Singapore avoids being caught between competing narratives from China and other claimant states

Scenario 4: ASEAN-China Tensions Over Fishing Rights Context: Multiple Southeast Asian nations clash with Chinese vessels, threatening Code of Conduct negotiations

Mediator role opportunity:

Singapore’s defense relationships provide insight into Chinese military thinking that other ASEAN states lack
MINDEF can communicate ASEAN concerns through established PLA channels while explaining Chinese perspectives to ASEAN partners
Singapore’s balanced position (maintaining both US and Chinese defense ties) gives it credibility as honest broker
Defense-to-defense channels complement diplomatic efforts, providing multiple pathways for de-escalation

Scenario 5: Humanitarian Crisis in Region Context: Major natural disaster (tsunami, earthquake) requires coordinated international response

Coordination advantage:

Established relationships enable rapid coordination of Chinese and Western relief efforts
Singapore can serve as coordination hub, leveraging trust from both Chinese PLA and US Pacific Fleet
Defense ties facilitate practical cooperation (airspace coordination, port access, supply chains) despite broader geopolitical tensions

Strategic Autonomy Scenarios

Scenario 6: US Pressure for Military Base Access Context: Escalating US-China tensions lead to American requests for expanded military facilities in Singapore

Balanced response capability:

Singapore can point to substantive defense relationships with China as evidence it won’t become a US proxy base
Chinese military leaders, understanding Singapore’s balanced approach through personal relationships, are less likely to view Singapore as hostile
Singapore maintains strategic space to make independent decisions based on national interests rather than alliance pressure

Scenario 7: Chinese Belt and Road Infrastructure Demands Context: China links BRI investments to military access or exclusive agreements

Negotiating position strength:

Existing defense cooperation demonstrates Singapore’s commitment to positive China relationship without strategic subordination
Military-to-military ties provide channels to explain why certain military arrangements would compromise Singapore’s neutrality
Chinese military leaders, through established relationships, understand that Singapore’s broader strategic value requires maintaining its non-aligned status

Scenario 8: Technology Transfer and Dual-Use Restrictions Context: US export controls conflict with Singapore’s technology cooperation with China

Multi-alignment capability:

Defense relationships with both powers help Singapore understand each side’s genuine security concerns versus negotiating positions
Personal relationships provide informal channels to explore compromise solutions
Singapore’s position as trusted partner to both sides creates opportunities to facilitate mutual understanding on technology governance

Complex Multi-Crisis Scenario

Scenario 9: Simultaneous Taiwan Crisis and South China Sea Escalation Context: Chinese military exercises around Taiwan coincide with increased PLA Navy presence in disputed waters, affecting commercial shipping

How institutional resilience, crisis management, and strategic autonomy work together:

Institutional Resilience in Action:
- Multiple PLA contacts provide real-time intelligence on Chinese intentions and likely duration of operations
- Relationships survive heated political rhetoric, maintaining practical cooperation channels
Crisis Management Deployment:
- Singapore uses defense ties to propose shipping corridor arrangements that protect commercial traffic
- MINDEF coordinates with both Chinese and US forces to prevent accidental encounters
- Singapore’s ports become neutral ground for practical coordination between opposing forces
Strategic Autonomy Preservation:
- Singapore avoids choosing sides by maintaining communication with all parties
- Defense relationships provide leverage to resist pressure for exclusive alignment
- Singapore’s unique position enables it to serve national interests while contributing to regional stability

Long-term Strategic Outcome: Singapore emerges from the crisis with enhanced reputation as reliable partner to all major powers, strengthened position as regional hub, and preserved strategic autonomy – all built on the foundation of carefully cultivated defense relationships like those established during Chan’s visit to the Southern Theatre Command.

These scenarios illustrate how seemingly routine diplomatic visits create strategic options that prove invaluable when crises emerge, demonstrating the forward-thinking nature of Singapore’s defense diplomacy.

The Admiral’s Phone Call

Based on Singapore’s strategic defense diplomacy

Chapter 1: The Routine Visit

The morning sun cast long shadows across the deck of the PLA Navy destroyer Zhanjiang as Defense Minister Chan Chun Sing stepped aboard. The September heat in Guangdong province was stifling, but Chan maintained his composure as he inspected the guard of honor, each step measured and respectful.

“Minister Chan,” Vice-Admiral Yang Zhiliang extended his hand warmly. “Welcome to our Southern Theatre Command Navy headquarters.”

As they walked through the ship’s corridors, Yang pointed out various systems—the damage control center, the simulation training facility. To most observers, it was a standard diplomatic visit, complete with the usual pleasantries and photo opportunities.

But Chan listened carefully to every detail, filing away information not for intelligence purposes, but for understanding. How did the Chinese Navy train its sailors? What were their operational procedures? Most importantly, how did they think about maritime security in these contested waters that Singapore’s economy depended on?

“The South China Sea connects us all,” Yang remarked as they stood on the bridge, gazing out at the vast expanse of water. “What affects one, affects all.”

Chan nodded. “Which is why dialogue between our navies is so important, Admiral. We may see things differently sometimes, but we share these waters.”

Neither man could have imagined that eighteen months later, this conversation would prove prophetic.

Chapter 2: The Crisis Unfolds

March 2027, Singapore Armed Forces Headquarters, 3:47 AM

Rear Admiral Sarah Lim’s phone buzzed insistently, pulling her from deep sleep. As Director of Strategic Planning at MINDEF, she was accustomed to late-night calls, but something in the duty officer’s voice immediately put her on high alert.

“Ma’am, we have a developing situation in the South China Sea. Multiple incidents involving fishing vessels, coast guard ships from three different nations, and now reports of naval movements.”

Within an hour, the crisis management team was assembled in the secure briefing room. The situation was deteriorating rapidly: Vietnamese fishing boats had collided with Chinese coast guard vessels near the Paracel Islands. The Philippines had dispatched naval ships to “protect Filipino fishermen” in the Spratly area. Most concerning, satellite imagery showed significant Chinese naval deployments from the Southern Theatre Command.

“Commercial shipping is already rerouting,” reported Colonel James Wong from the Intelligence Division. “If this escalates, we’re looking at major disruption to trade flows. Sixty percent of Singapore’s container traffic comes through these lanes.”

Defense Minister Chan, now with two years of experience in the role, studied the evolving situation map. Red dots marked naval vessels, yellow triangles showed commercial ships changing course, and green squares indicated key shipping chokepoints.

“What are we hearing from our partners?” he asked.

“The Americans are moving a carrier group into the area. The Chinese have activated their crisis management protocols. Everyone’s talking tough publicly, but privately…” Colonel Wong shook his head. “Everyone’s nervous about where this leads.”

Chan was quiet for a moment, then picked up the secure phone. “Get me Vice-Admiral Yang Zhiliang in Zhanjiang.”

Chapter 3: The Personal Touch

The call connected after several minutes of diplomatic coordination. Despite the early hour in China, Yang’s voice was clear and alert—clearly, the Chinese side was also managing this crisis around the clock.

“Minister Chan, I had hoped our next conversation would be under better circumstances,” Yang said, his tone carefully neutral.

“Admiral, I’m calling as a friend,” Chan replied in Mandarin, deliberately using the informal register they had established during their meetings. “We both know that none of our nations benefit from this situation spiraling out of control.”

There was a pause. “You are correct, of course. But feelings are running high after the incidents. Our fishermen were rammed, our coast guard was only protecting them.”

“I understand, Admiral. And I’m not calling to assign blame. I’m calling because I believe Singapore can help prevent this from getting worse.”

Over the next twenty minutes, the two men discussed the situation frankly. Yang explained the Chinese perspective—that their fishermen had been operating in traditional fishing grounds and had been deliberately targeted. Chan acknowledged these concerns while gently noting that other nations viewed the same waters differently.

“What if,” Chan proposed carefully, “Singapore offered to host emergency maritime safety talks? Not to resolve territorial disputes—we all know that’s beyond any single meeting—but to establish temporary protocols that prevent further accidents while tensions are high?”

Yang was quiet for nearly a minute. “I would need to consult Beijing, of course. But… such an initiative from Singapore might be viewed favorably. Your country has always been a responsible maritime neighbor.”

After the call ended, Chan immediately contacted his American counterpart, Secretary of Defense Jennifer Martinez.

“Jen, I know you’re monitoring the South China Sea situation closely. Singapore wants to help prevent escalation.”

Martinez’s response was cautious but interested. “What did you have in mind, Chan?”

“Emergency maritime safety protocols. Neutral venue, focus on preventing accidents rather than resolving territorial claims. We’re not trying to solve the South China Sea disputes in a weekend—we’re trying to prevent a shooting war.”

Chapter 4: The Delicate Balance

Singapore’s Shangri-La Hotel, March 2027

Three days later, Singapore hosted what the media called “emergency maritime consultations.” Officially, the meeting was about shipping safety and accident prevention. Unofficially, everyone understood it was about preventing the South China Sea from becoming a conflict zone.

The Chinese delegation was led by Yang, now promoted to Admiral. The American side sent Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Robert Chen. The Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia sent senior naval officers. Critically, all participants came in their professional military capacities, not as political representatives.

Chan opened the session with characteristic directness: “Gentlemen, we are not here to resolve territorial disputes. We are here as professional naval officers to ensure that maritime incidents don’t escalate into armed conflict.”

The first day was tense. Each delegation presented their version of events, their justified concerns, their non-negotiable positions. But gradually, as the discussions moved from political rhetoric to operational details, a different dynamic emerged.

Admiral Yang, drawing on his relationship with Chan, proposed a practical measure: “What if we established temporary communication protocols? Direct ship-to-ship contact procedures to prevent misunderstandings?”

Admiral Chen, initially skeptical, found himself nodding: “We already have these with other navies for safety purposes. It’s not political—it’s seamanship.”

By the end of the weekend, they had established a framework: temporary maritime safety zones around fishing areas, direct communication protocols between naval vessels, and a commitment to investigate incidents jointly rather than allowing media speculation to drive policy.

Chapter 5: The Broader Implications

Two months later, Singapore’s Ministry of Defence

Minister Chan reviewed the quarterly strategic assessment with his senior staff. The South China Sea remained tense, but the emergency protocols established in Singapore had prevented several potential escalations.

“The Americans have privately thanked us twice for the initiative,” reported Admiral Lim. “The Chinese have resumed normal shipping coordination. Commercial traffic is back to normal levels.”

“More importantly,” added Colonel Wong, “other ASEAN nations are asking how we managed to get all parties talking. Indonesia wants us to facilitate similar discussions about the Natuna Sea area.”

Chan smiled slightly. This was exactly the outcome Singapore’s strategy had been designed to achieve—not choosing sides, but creating space for practical cooperation that served everyone’s interests.

His phone rang. The caller ID showed Vice-Admiral Yang’s number.

“Admiral, I hope you’re calling with good news.”

“Minister Chan, I wanted you to know that Beijing has approved a proposal for regularizing our maritime safety consultations. Not just for crises—as a permanent mechanism. And…” Yang paused, “we’d like Singapore to host them.”

After hanging up, Chan reflected on the journey from that first handshake on the destroyer Zhanjiang to this moment. What had seemed like a routine diplomatic visit had laid the groundwork for Singapore to play a crucial role in regional stability.

His assistant knocked on the door. “Minister, the Prime Minister would like to see you. Something about hosting a new regional maritime security forum?”

Chan gathered his papers and headed to the Istana, knowing that Singapore’s patient investment in defense diplomacy was about to pay even greater dividends.

Epilogue: The Long Game

Five years later

The Singapore Maritime Security Forum had become an annual fixture, bringing together naval officers from across the Indo-Pacific to discuss practical cooperation measures. What had begun as an emergency response to a potential crisis had evolved into a permanent institution for preventing conflicts before they started.

Chan, now in his second term as Defense Minister, often reflected on the lesson of those pivotal days in 2027: in an era of great power competition, small nations that invested wisely in relationships and maintained their strategic autonomy could punch far above their weight.

Singapore had not chosen between America and China. Instead, it had created space for both powers to engage constructively, while establishing itself as an indispensable facilitator of regional security.

As he prepared for his morning briefing, Chan glanced at the photo on his wall—himself standing with Admiral Yang on the deck of the Zhanjiang in 2025. A routine visit, captured in a routine photograph. But in the complex calculus of international relations, there was no such thing as routine.

Every handshake was an investment. Every conversation was a potential crisis prevented. Every relationship was a foundation for Singapore’s future security.

The phone rang again. This time, it was the Indonesian Defense Minister, calling about tensions in the Strait of Malacca.

Chan smiled as he answered. The work of diplomacy never ended. But thanks to the foundation built over years of patient relationship-building, Singapore was ready.

“In the game of great powers, the small nation that refuses to choose sides but maintains friendships with all sides may find itself the most powerful player of all.”
— Strategic Studies Institute, National University of Singapore, 2030

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Singapore-China defense diplomacy visit