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Chan Chun Sing

The latest news and top stories on Chan Chun Sing, a Singaporean Minister. He currently serves as Coordinating Minister for Public Services, Minister for Defence and Minister-in-charge of Public Service. Formerly Minister for Education and Minister for Trade and Industry, he advanced lifelong learning and led economic development. A former Major-General and Chief of Army, he was awarded the Distinguished Master Strategist Award by the US Army Command and General Staff College. He has defended Singapore's electoral system, asserting boundaries serve citizens' interests. His career demonstrates expertise in public service, defence, trade, education and labour relations.

A person dangles from a drone in this still from footage obtained by Korean broadcaster JTBC allegedly showing a practice run for Park Wang-yeol’s escape. Photo: YouTube/JTBC_News

SCMP Highlights

South Korean killer’s escape foiled, Duterte trial looms: 7 Asia highlights

From Singaporean minister’s Mandarin diplomacy to Indonesia’s Whoosh debt burden, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

22 Sep 2026 - 12:30PM

Singapore

Singapore minister Chan Chun Sing’s Mandarin diplomacy strikes China chord

18 Sep 2026 - 7:58PM

Singapore

Singapore’s Chan Chun Sing to visit China, speak at defence forum

14 Sep 2026 - 10:25PM

Singapore

Shangri-La Dialogue: can Asia do ‘less Shangri-La, more ships, more subs’?

In response to Hegseth’s call, participants at the Singapore forum say defence spending levels have to factor in different countries’ needs.

31 May 2026 - 11:46PMvideocam

Singapore

17 nations launch pact to protect vital undersea cables amid US, China absence

Singapore’s defence chief tells the Shangri-La Dialogue the pact aims to explore potential areas of collaboration and share best practices.

1 Jun 2026 - 9:40AM

China-UK relations

Exclusive | Chinese, UK delegations discuss military engagement at Shangri-La Dialogue

Major General Meng Xiangqing invites British military officials to Xiangshan Forum and Zhuhai air show in China.

30 May 2026 - 9:26PMvideocam

2026 Xi-Trump summits

What to watch at Shangri-La Dialogue after Trump’s China visit resets ties

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth’s speech at Asian security forum to serve as important gauge of whether summit has stabilised US-China relations.

27 May 2026 - 8:44PM

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s trip to this year’s Shangri-La Dialogue marks his fourth visit to the Indo-Pacific region as Pentagon chief. Photo: Reuters

Thailand

Bridge too far? Hormuz crisis revives Thailand’s controversial plan

While the plan to bypass the Malacca Strait is popular with Anutin’s government, economists and environmentalists say it is not realistic.

29 Apr 2026 - 6:38PM

Asean

Opinion | Underwater and unprotected: why Asean and the EU must secure subsea lifelines

With global data at risk from hybrid threats, Southeast Asia and Europe need to look past declarations to secure our shared data arteries.

15 Mar 2026 - 12:00PM

South China Sea

Why big power rivalry poses ‘main threat’ to Asean maritime security

Smaller players ‘become pawns’ in a bigger geopolitical game as ‘strategic mistrust among major powers’ grows, Asean leaders say in Munich.

17 Feb 2026 - 4:00PMvideocam

Chinese coastguard vessels carry out a law enforcement drill in the South China Sea on February 4. Photo: Xinhua

Singapore

US clears US$2.3 billion jet and torpedo sale to Singapore

Pending US Congress approval, the US$2.3 billion Boeing P-8A deal announced at Pentagon talks will upgrade Singapore’s anti-submarine capabilities.

21 Jan 2026 - 4:45PM

A P-8A Poseidon aircraft departs Boeing Field in Seattle, Washington in November 2014. Photo: US Navy/Boeing Aircraft/AFP

Singapore

Singapore’s teachers are stressed out and overworked, study finds

More than one in four teachers report ‘a lot’ of stress, far higher than their global peers, with administrative duties a major factor.

7 Oct 2025 - 12:44PMvideocam

Singapore

Singapore’s defence chief urges against protectionism, ‘nativist instincts’

Minister Chan Chun Sing and others call for collaboration in dealing with technological upheaval and Washington’s zero-sum policy.

1 Oct 2025 - 5:11PM

US-China relations

China’s defence chief slams Western ‘bullying’, rallies regional allies

At the Beijing Xiangshan Forum, Dong Jun says world is at a crossroads between peace or war, urges countries to make the ‘right choice’.

18 Sep 2025 - 11:21PMvideocam

Calls by Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun to resist hegemonism and protectionism appeared to resonate with defence chiefs from Southeast Asia, as they took turns criticising unilateral actions, including US tariffs. Photo: Reuters

China’s military

China will work with Singapore on regional stability, top military officer says

Beijing’s most senior general meets the Singaporean defence minister on the sidelines of the Beijing Xiangshan Forum.

18 Sep 2025 - 4:38AM

Singapore

Singapore to boost maritime defence with 4 Boeing P-8A patrol aircraft

The new aircraft will replace the existing Fokker 50s, in service since 1993, as Singapore and the US reaffirm close defence ties.

10 Sep 2025 - 5:50PM

Singapore

Will Singapore’s PAP rule forever?

The People’s Action Party may have found a lasting formula for governing, with Singaporeans wanting it to remain in power, analysts say.

30 Aug 2025 - 8:00AM

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Chan Chun Sing

South Korean killer’s escape foiled, Duterte trial looms: 7 Asia highlights

From Singaporean minister’s Mandarin diplomacy to Indonesia’s Whoosh debt burden, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Singapore minister Chan Chun Sing’s Mandarin diplomacy strikes China chord

Singapore’s Chan Chun Sing to visit China, speak at defence forum

Shangri-La Dialogue: can Asia do ‘less Shangri-La, more ships, more subs’?

In response to Hegseth’s call, participants at the Singapore forum say defence spending levels have to factor in different countries’ needs.

17 nations launch pact to protect vital undersea cables amid US, China absence

Singapore’s defence chief tells the Shangri-La Dialogue the pact aims to explore potential areas of collaboration and share best practices.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Exclusive | Chinese, UK delegations discuss military engagement at Shangri-La Dialogue

Major General Meng Xiangqing invites British military officials to Xiangshan Forum and Zhuhai air show in China.

What to watch at Shangri-La Dialogue after Trump’s China visit resets ties

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth’s speech at Asian security forum to serve as important gauge of whether summit has stabilised US-China relations.

Bridge too far? Hormuz crisis revives Thailand’s controversial plan

While the plan to bypass the Malacca Strait is popular with Anutin’s government, economists and environmentalists say it is not realistic.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Underwater and unprotected: why Asean and the EU must secure subsea lifelines

With global data at risk from hybrid threats, Southeast Asia and Europe need to look past declarations to secure our shared data arteries.

Why big power rivalry poses ‘main threat’ to Asean maritime security

Smaller players ‘become pawns’ in a bigger geopolitical game as ‘strategic mistrust among major powers’ grows, Asean leaders say in Munich.

US clears US$2.3 billion jet and torpedo sale to Singapore

Pending US Congress approval, the US$2.3 billion Boeing P-8A deal announced at Pentagon talks will upgrade Singapore’s anti-submarine capabilities.

Singapore’s teachers are stressed out and overworked, study finds

More than one in four teachers report ‘a lot’ of stress, far higher than their global peers, with administrative duties a major factor.

Singapore’s defence chief urges against protectionism, ‘nativist instincts’

Minister Chan Chun Sing and others call for collaboration in dealing with technological upheaval and Washington’s zero-sum policy.

China’s defence chief slams Western ‘bullying’, rallies regional allies

At the Beijing Xiangshan Forum, Dong Jun says world is at a crossroads between peace or war, urges countries to make the ‘right choice’.

China will work with Singapore on regional stability, top military officer says

Beijing’s most senior general meets the Singaporean defence minister on the sidelines of the Beijing Xiangshan Forum.

Singapore to boost maritime defence with 4 Boeing P-8A patrol aircraft

The new aircraft will replace the existing Fokker 50s, in service since 1993, as Singapore and the US reaffirm close defence ties.

Will Singapore’s PAP rule forever?

The People’s Action Party may have found a lasting formula for governing, with Singaporeans wanting it to remain in power, analysts say.

Exclusive | Chinese, UK delegations discuss military engagement at Shangri-La Dialogue

Opinion | Underwater and unprotected: why Asean and the EU must secure subsea lifelines