He urged cooperation among like-minded countries to support and strengthen the international legislative framework.
“As a trading nation, Singapore relies on open and safe sea lanes. International law, including the law of the sea, ensures that vital waterways remain open to all and are not subject to arbitrary control,” Wong said at the SGLaw200 Youth Forum held at Singapore Management University.
“If these principles are weakened, it will not only affect far-flung areas. It will affect Singapore directly.”
He noted that the framework of international law, including UNCLOS, was shaped on the basis of “destructive” wars and the recognition that it is safer for the world to be governed by rules rather than force.
Wong said a strong system of international law is vital for small countries like Singapore and will provide a measure of stability and predictability.
