News Releases
Minister for Defence Speaks at 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum and Meets China Minister for National Defense
16 September 2026
Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing attended the opening ceremony of the 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum this morning and spoke at the first plenary session titled “International Order and Strategic Stability”.
.jpg)
Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing attended the opening ceremony of the 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum this morning and spoke at the first plenary session titled “International Order and Strategic Stability”.
In his speech, Minister Chan highlighted that growing technological competition, imbalances in consumption and production, the securitisation of trade and investment, and the rapid evolution of warfare were placing greater pressure on countries to preserve and advance their national power. He cautioned that while individual responses to such pressures might appear justifiable, collectively, they could lead to a spiral of insecurity benefiting no one. To overcome this security dilemma, Minister Chan outlined three fundamental principles: confidence at home enables countries to cooperate externally; interdependence provides better opportunities to build strong international systems; and trust makes cooperation last and endure. He highlighted the need for countries to be conscious of how shifts in relative power alter perception, build trust through strategic patience, and continuously find concrete ways to create value together. Minister Chan also emphasised the need to rethink what “winning” means, and that countries should with countries seek to ‘win over the world’ through the power of one’s example, rather than the example of one’s power.
Minister Chan met China Minister of National Defense Admiral (ADM) Dong Jun. They reaffirmed the longstanding, warm and friendly bilateral defence relations between Singapore and China. They discussed opportunities to deepen leadership interactions, expand practical cooperation and strengthen people-to-people ties. They also exchanged views on global and regional security developments, and the need to promote dialogue to maintain peace and security in the region.
Minister Chan and ADM Dong witnessed the signing of an upgraded Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) between the SAFTI Military Institute of the Singapore Armed Forces and the National Defense University of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The MOC, first signed in 2016, provides for visits by teaching staff and students, as well as cross-attendance of seminars between both military institutes. Under the upgraded MOC, both institutes will further expand and deepen exchanges, creating more opportunities for people-to-people interactions.
On the sidelines of the 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, Minister Chan met Brunei Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Defence II Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, Cambodia Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Tea Seiha, Indonesia Defence Minister General (Hon)(Rtd) Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Thailand Minister of Defence Lieutenant General Adul Boonthumjaroen, and Vietnam Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang.
Minister Chan also visited the PLA National Defense University (NDU) yesterday, where he met Political Commissar VADM Xia Zhihe, and had a dialogue with the students from NDU, comprising senior PLA and provincial officials.
More Resources