Big Countries Should Meet Higher Expectations From Smaller Nations

Singapore's Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing spoke at a large security meeting in Beijing, China, on September 16. He said that as powerful countries grow stronger, smaller nations often feel nervous and need reassurance. Chan argued that big countries must be ready to take on more responsibility so that smaller ones can feel secure. His speech took place at the Beijing Xiangshan Forum, one of Asia's most important defence conferences.

Chan told the audience that a country growing in strength might want to fix old problems or push its own interests. But that same growth can look threatening to the countries around it. Smaller nations will look to powerful ones for leadership and expect them to behave responsibly. As Chan put it, 'When big countries shoulder more responsibility, small countries have fewer worries.'

Chan also talked about something called the 'security dilemma.' This is the idea that when one country tries to make itself safer, it can accidentally make others feel less safe. He said countries need to think differently about what it means to 'win.' Instead of trying to outgun a rival, Chan said the better goal is to earn the world's respect through good behaviour and strong values — not just through military force.

The minister said countries must also build trust through what he called 'strategic patience.' This means thinking carefully about long-term goals rather than reacting quickly to every problem or challenge. He said not every military advantage needs to be shown off, and not every insult or provocation requires an immediate response. He quoted an ancient Chinese philosopher, Meng Zi, who said that while power can force people to obey, it is trust that truly wins others over.

Chan said that while every country naturally looks out for its own interests, good diplomacy means finding where those interests overlap with others. When countries find common ground, they can work together in a way that benefits everyone. He used Singapore's relationship with China as an example of how this can work in practice. Even though the two countries are very different in size and beliefs, their leaders have found ways to cooperate for shared benefit.

Chan pointed out that Singapore supported China's economic growth from the very beginning. Singapore even helped push for China to join a major global trade agreement back in the 1980s. In 1994, the two countries launched their first joint government project, the Suzhou Industrial Park, in China. Chan said these efforts showed that even very different countries can build a strong and lasting partnership.

Looking at today's world, Chan said things are getting more complicated. Countries are racing to develop new technology, trade is being used as a weapon, and the way wars are fought is changing fast. These pressures can make countries want to protect themselves at the expense of others. But Chan warned that if every country acts only for itself, the result is a cycle of fear and distrust that helps no one.

Chan said Singapore has dealt with these challenges in several ways. First, the country focused on keeping things stable and peaceful at home. A stable country, he said, is better able to cooperate with others and make smart long-term decisions. He also noted that Singapore's leaders have avoided using foreign policy as a tool for scoring political points, even when there were difficult issues with neighbouring countries.

Chan stressed that Singapore has always worked to build an open and fair international system. It helped create ASEAN, a group of Southeast Asian nations that work together. It also continues to support a rules-based world order, where countries follow agreed-upon rules rather than just doing whatever they want. He gave the example of Singapore refusing to charge tolls or negotiate special deals for ships passing through international waterways.

The forum also featured speeches from defence leaders of Vietnam, Thailand, Russia, and France. China's Defence Minister Dong Jun urged countries to solve problems through talks rather than confrontation. He said major countries should lead the way in taking on responsibilities, while smaller nations can also make their own contributions. The forum took place just one week before Chinese President Xi Jinping was expected to travel to the United States to meet with American President Donald Trump.