Singapore’s foreign minister Vivian Balakrishnan spoke at the 75th anniversary of the National University of Singapore Student's Union on Aug. 4.

During the speech he warned of a more divided world, saying that Singapore would need to find ways to remain open and maintain its identity despite that.

Vivian began by paying tribute to the NUSSU, adding that it was through the NUSSU that he had met his wife, and that he was always glad to speak at the event.

Deteriorating strategic global situation

Vivian recounted the speech that he gave to the NUSSU five years ago, where he said that young Singaporeans had a strong sense of national identity and collective destiny; that they wanted a real stake in Singapore and a sense of ownership; and that Singapore needed a enduring commitment to social mobility, and a sense of equality of opportunity.

In the time since that speech, the world had experienced a global pandemic, and was also facing a deteriorating strategic global situation, with a deep strategic rivalry and lack of strategic trust between the United States and China.

He said that both superpowers wanted to retain or attain primacy in the world, and might be willing to do so at all cost.

In this situation, every measure or countermeasure taken by one party is viewed as a potential threat requiring precautions, and risks setting off a very dangerous escalatory spiral.

Vivian had spent a considerable amount of time visiting both countries, noting that he met both China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi and the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in the past week.

Singapore had benefited from its relationship with both, from the “Pax Americana” and resultant economic infrastructure, but also from the reform and opening of China since 1978.

Singapore was able to do so because it had successfully positioned or pre-positioned itself to take advantage of large global currents.

But if these two superpowers or poles were to diverge and decouple, Singapore could end up with the worst of both worlds, if it was not careful .

The centre cannot hold

Vivian then quoted the Wil...