[SINGAPORE] The Singapore Government has stated that it does not condone attempts by foreign embassies to provoke domestic reactions over international disputes involving third countries. It emphasized that such complex matters are best addressed through proper diplomatic channels.
This position, outlined in a May 21 statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, came after a public exchange between the United States and Chinese embassies in Singapore, who posted competing videos on social media concerning the South China Sea.
On May 20, the US Embassy in Singapore released a video drawing a comparison between territorial disputes in the South China Sea and common disputes in Housing Board (HDB) flat corridors. The 90-second clip begins with shots of HDB blocks, zooming in on cluttered common areas.
“Imagine coming home one day and finding this,” says a voiceover in Singapore-accented English. “A neighbour has decided that the space in front of your door is theirs. They block your entrance by putting their things on your doorstep. Does this remind you of anything else?”
The video then transitions to news reports about the Philippines and Vietnam protesting China’s activities in the South China Sea. “This happens right outside Singapore’s doorstep, too,” the video continues, “in the South China Sea, where one neighbour thinks he owns basically everything.”
The following evening, on May 21, the Chinese Embassy responded on Facebook with its own video and statement. It accused the US Embassy of "deliberately distorting" the situation in the South China Sea, asserting that the United States is "the least qualified" to speak on international law.
The post claimed the US frequently disregards international norms, citing examples such as withdrawing from international agreements, using coercion on trade issues, and making aggressive territorial claims. “The US wants to reimpose the law of the jungle where might makes right,” it said, calling on Washington to cease “being a hypocritical preacher and provocateur.”
The South China Sea is one of the world's busiest shipping lanes and a long-standing flashpoint for geopolitical rivalry. It is contested by China, Taiwan, and four ASEAN countries—Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam—owing to its strategic position and vast natural resources. A 2016 ruling by a United Nations tribunal rejected China’s expansive “nine-dash line” claim, siding with the Philippines. China has dismissed the verdict.
Despite the ruling, tensions remain high. China has pressed ahead with building artificial islands and military installations in the disputed waters, prompting increased patrols by the US and other regional powers—raising fears of further escalation.
In the US Embassy’s video, the metaphor extends to the fictional HDB resident refusing to comply with the town council’s orders to clear obstructive items. “This neighbour’s behaviour is egregious,” the voiceover says, “and what’s worse, they aren’t following the rules that keep things safe and fair for everyone.”
Responding to media queries, a US Embassy spokesperson said the video was intended to communicate US policy on regional security and prosperity. “The analogy connects a local context to a broader international issue—bad neighbourly behaviour violating shared rules,” the spokesperson explained.
Singapore, a neutral player in the region, has long advocated for the peaceful resolution of disputes based on international law. With its strategic position and open economy, the Republic remains highly attuned to any instability in the South China Sea that could affect regional trade and security.
The Chinese Embassy’s video also featured a June 2024 interview from China Central Television with Mr Cui Tiankai, former Chinese ambassador to the US, recorded during the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. In the clip, Mr Cui reiterated Beijing’s stance on the maritime disputes and accused the US of exacerbating tensions.
“It’s very unfortunate that external forces are playing such a destructive role,” he said.
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