The joint statement issued after the meeting between foreign ministers of China and ASEAN countries in the Lao capital during the 49th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting didn't breathe a word about the South China Sea arbitration. But Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, during his recent visit to the US, reportedly said Singapore hoped other countries would respect the arbitration result.

"Ideally, when you have disputes between countries, it is much better to have an arbitration and adjudication based on acknowledged principles," Lee said. Between the lines is that Lee has endorsement to the arbitration award and called all parties concerned to respect and abide by it.

Singapore, as the country coordinator for China-ASEAN dialogue relations, should act in compliance with the joint statement between China and ASEAN. Unfortunately it has moved away from its role.

In 2015, Singapore took over the role from Thailand as the country coordinator for China-ASEAN relations for a three-year term. In light of the sound China-Singapore relations as well as Singapore's special position in ASEAN, optimism was high that with the role of Singapore, China-ASEAN relations would move further forward.

As the country coordinator, Singapore should recognize its duties. It should do more to bring the China-ASEAN ties forward, making constructive remarks rather than holding friendly relations back.

So far, Singapore has been holding the position for nearly one year and it has indeed contributed to the steady development of China-ASEAN relations. But it must not be overlooked that when it comes to the South China Sea issue and the regional security issues, Singapore acts on its own will.

Singapore is not a South China Sea claimant, but it's the sole country apart from Vietnam and the Philippines to have given an explicit endorsement to the arbitration award. A meeting between Chinese and ASEAN ministers over the South China Sea ended with no joint statement in Yuxi in mid June, which has further fueled the suspicion over whether Singapore could play a practical role as the country coordinator in the South China Sea issue.   

Singapore as a small country relies on rules to seek its own security. It also has insisted on a longstanding policy of having a balance of power. However, as China is taking a firm attitude to safeguard its legal rights in the South China Sea, Singapore, instead of pondering the reasons, has adopted the same stance with the US and Japan with regard to the South China Sea arbitration.

As a matter of fact, China understands the security concerns of relevant countries including Singapore. It has reiterated on many occasions that it is committed to improving both political mutual trust as well as security cooperation between China and ASEAN.

Given repeated violations on the Declaration on the Code of Conduct on the South China Sea by some Southeast Asian countries and external interference in the South China Sea by the US, which have threatened China's security and impaired its maritime interests, China has ratcheted up its efforts in safeguarding its rights in the South China Sea.

At this moment, Singapore should show more understandings of China's reactions. As the country coordinator, it should speak in favor of the South China Sea security rather than making rhetoric that will further complicate and destabilize the region.

The author is a research fellow with the Charhar Institute and the College of ASEAN Studies at Guangxi University for Nationalities. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn Follow us on Twitter @GTopinion