Singaporean Defense Minister Chan Chun Sing emphasized the Taiwan question as a matter to be determined by the Chinese people during his remarks at the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue on Sunday. His comments underscored the need to approach cross-strait relations with historical awareness and caution against oversimplified narratives.
"How this issue is going to be resolved, if not managed, will have to be determined by the Chinese people," Chan stated, urging stakeholders to avoid framing the matter as a clash between political systems or drawing parallels to other global conflicts. He expressed concern over attempts to label the Taiwan question as "a conflict between democracy and autocracy" or liken it to the Ukraine crisis, calling such comparisons "simplistic" and counterproductive.
The minister highlighted Singapore\u2019s longstanding adherence to the One-China principle while advocating for peaceful dialogue. His remarks come amid heightened regional attention to cross-strait stability, particularly as businesses and governments assess risks in Asia\u2019s geopolitical landscape.
Analysts suggest Chan\u2019s intervention reflects broader ASEAN concerns about maintaining economic and security equilibrium. The Taiwan question remains central to China\u2019s core interests, with cross-strait developments closely monitored by global markets and diplomatic circles alike.
