Singapore case study shows effort to hold sway in sea dispute

File photo of Chinese warships and jets taking part in a military display in the South China Sea in April. PHOTO: REUTERS
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

In a case study on Singapore, the Hoover Institution report says that when the Republic took on the three-year stint as Asean country coordinator in 2016, Chinese diplomats tried to convince Singapore to "explain" China's position on the South China Sea to other Asean countries, or to ensure that the issue was not raised in Asean forums, or, if raised, downplayed.

Such demarches have been routine in all Asean countries for many years, the report says.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on November 30, 2018, with the headline Singapore case study shows effort to hold sway in sea dispute. Subscribe