MFA cautions foreign embassies against stirring domestic sentiment after US-China spat over South China Sea

Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has issued a pointed reminder to foreign missions operating in the Republic, cautioning them against stoking domestic sentiment when commenting on international disputes involving third countries.

The statement, released on 21 May 2025, came after a public war of words between the United States and Chinese embassies in Singapore over territorial tensions in the South China Sea.

MFA emphasised that complex geopolitical disputes are best addressed through formal diplomatic channels rather than public campaigns aimed at local audiences.

US embassy uses HDB analogy to criticise China

The row began on 20 May when the US embassy in Singapore posted a video on Facebook criticising Beijing’s expansive claims over the South China Sea.

In the video, the embassy drew parallels with everyday Singapore life, comparing China’s stance to “an inconsiderate neighbour in an HDB flat claiming ownership of communal corridors and lift landings.”

The video also likened the United Nations’ International Court of Justice (ICJ) to town councils, portraying China as ignoring lawful rulings on territorial boundaries.

“China says it ‘owns’ nearly the entire South China Sea. International law says otherwise,” the embassy wrote in its accompanying caption.

The post cited the landmark 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling in The Hague, which declared Beijing’s sweeping “nine-dash line” claims had no legal basis under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

According to the US embassy, China continues to ignore the ruling by conducting military construction on artificial islands, deploying coast guard patrols, and using economic pressure against Southeast Asian claimants.

China fires back at US over “distorted” narrative

China’s embassy in Singapore responded swiftly the following day, accusing Washington of “deliberately distorting the ins and outs” of the long-running dispute.

In its statement, the embassy dismissed the US video as hypocritical propaganda and accused the US of applying double standards in its approach to international law.

“The United States habitually withdraws from international conventions and organisations while pretending to be an authority on international law,” it said.

The statement cited several examples, including US tariffs deemed unlawful by the World Trade Organization, historical references to control over the Panama Canal and Greenland, and what it described as “provocative military deployments” in the Asia-Pacific.

“What the US has done is a body blow to the existing international order and rules. The US is the least qualified to speak on international law,” the embassy declared.

The Chinese embassy further criticised the US for not ratifying UNCLOS, arguing that Washington had no standing to lecture others on its implementation.

It also accused the US of deploying intermediate-range missile systems in the region, calling them “the most destructive force to peace in the South China Sea.”

“We urge the US to stop being a hypocritical preacher and provocateur, and refrain from stirring up more troubles for peace and stability in the region,” the statement concluded.

MFA urges restraint and diplomacy

Singapore’s MFA issued its own response later on 21 May, making clear that while embassies have the right to state their governments’ positions, they should avoid attempts to frame international disputes in ways that could polarise local public opinion.

“MFA rejects attempts by foreign embassies to provoke domestic sentiment on complex geopolitical issues involving third countries. These matters are best managed through appropriate diplomatic channels,” the ministry said.

Singapore, which is not a claimant state in the South China Sea but sits at the heart of key shipping routes, has consistently called for peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, including UNCLOS.

Officials have also stressed that the Republic does not take sides but strongly supports freedom of navigation and overflight in the contested waters, which are vital to global trade.

Regional sensitivity and domestic resonance

Diplomatic observers noted that the US embassy’s use of HDB analogies may have struck a chord with Singaporeans because of the familiarity of the imagery. However, MFA’s swift reaction underscored the government’s longstanding concern about external powers attempting to sway domestic discourse.

“Singapore guards its foreign policy independence very carefully. Any suggestion that foreign embassies are trying to mobilise public opinion here on international disputes would raise alarm bells,” said Dr. Ho Wen Jie, a regional security analyst at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.

He added that while both Washington and Beijing often use public diplomacy to push their narratives abroad, Singapore’s government has historically drawn clear lines about keeping such messaging away from domestic politics.

Long-running flashpoint

The South China Sea has been a source of tension for decades, with overlapping territorial claims from China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei.

China asserts sovereignty over most of the sea through its “nine-dash line,” a demarcation rejected by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 following a case brought by the Philippines.

Despite the ruling, Beijing has expanded its presence in the waters, building artificial islands and militarising them with runways and missile systems.

The US, which is not a claimant, has stepped up “freedom of navigation operations” to challenge what it calls China’s unlawful claims. Washington has also increased security cooperation with Southeast Asian states to counter Beijing’s influence.

Singapore’s delicate balancing act

As a small state heavily reliant on international trade, Singapore has walked a careful line between its two largest trading partners, the US and China.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has reiterated that Singapore does not wish to choose sides and instead urges major powers to cooperate in upholding a rules-based international order.

MFA’s latest statement reflects that position, signalling that while Singapore values open communication with foreign partners, it will not allow domestic platforms to become battlegrounds for great power rivalry.