THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SINGAPORE’S DEFENSE POLICY TOWARDS CHINA’S GROWING INFLUENCE IN SOUTHEAST ASIA (2010 – 2015)

Abstract

The assertive actions of People’s Republic of China (PRC) in Southeast Asia, especially in South China Sea has led several Southeast Asian countries anxious and worried. South China Sea is a valuable sea that contains huge amount natural resources and profitable sea routes. In 2009, China officially and unofficially called South China Sea as China’s core interest. The tension in South China Sea become tenser after the US declared freedom of navigation as a national interest in South China Sea to response China’s growing presence and assertive actions in South China Sea. This threatening China’s national interests in South China Sea. In China’s white paper called “China’s peaceful development 2011”, sovereignty and territorial integrity declared as China’s core interest, hinting that China will remain assertive in Claiming South China Sea. In the following years, China built several artificial islands across South China Sea and this action received several condemnations from other claimants of South China and also the US. Singapore, a small country the Southeast Asia choose to remain neutral in South China Sea dispute as Singapore and China maintain good relationship with one another. Singapore’s defense policy relies on two pillars of “deterrence and diplomacy”, meaning that Singapore will exercise diplomacy to prevent conflict and should diplomacy fail, Singapore will rely on deterrence. Even though Singapore and China maintain good relationships, Singapore must prepare for anything if Singapore relationship with China is collapse. This research will focus on how Singapore implement its defense policy towards China influence in Southeast Asia.