Singapore defence chief’s Beijing forum trip part of US-China balancing act: analysts

The Singapore defence chief’s visit to China to attend a premier annual security conference could be a demonstration of the city state’s aims to build defence ties with both Washington and Beijing, observers said.

“Just as China has shown resolve and commitment to help deal with security issues in other places, it also plays a key role in our own backyard, particularly in the South China Sea,” he said.

Tensions in the resource-rich waterway – most of it claimed by China – remain high amid a series of clashes between Chinese and Philippine vessels, despite efforts by both rival claimants to de-escalate the situation.