Xi Warns Against ‘Hegemonism’, Pitches China-Singapore Axis for Multipolar Future

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday invoked a sharp rebuke of global power blocs and "hegemonism". He urged countries to resist what he called a return to Cold War-era frameworks while welcoming Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong for high-level talks in Beijing.

Image Source: David Madina on X

“We must stand on the right side of history,” Xi said, positioning China and Singapore as potential anchors for a more balanced and inclusive global system. 

His remarks, delivered during bilateral talks, were a clear pushback against what Beijing views as expanding military and economic coalitions under Western leadership, notably NATO’s increasing engagement in the Indo-Pacific.

Without directly naming the United States, Xi decried growing polarization in global affairs and stressed that “development, cooperation and mutual benefit” must prevail over bloc-based rivalry. 

He called for “an equal and orderly multipolar world” — signalling Beijing’s continued push to reposition global governance beyond Western institutions.

The meeting came as China and Singapore marked 35 years of diplomatic ties but the tone was unmistakably forward-looking. 

Both leaders acknowledged the fast-changing geopolitical landscape, with Xi urging closer coordination not just in trade but in frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence and green energy.

He also reaffirmed China’s welcome for deeper Singaporean involvement in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and described the city-state as a model partner in adapting to China’s development priorities over the years. 

He cited projects like the Suzhou Industrial Park as enduring examples.

Wong, who was on his first state visit to China since taking office, affirmed Singapore’s commitment to the One-China policy and voiced readiness to expand cooperation across digital, clean tech, and strategic sectors. 

He also emphasized the need for “stability and rules-based multilateralism” in an increasingly turbulent world. This is a view that largely aligns with Beijing’s rhetoric but has been now couched in a more cautious language.

The meeting follows weeks of sharpening rhetoric between China and NATO after the alliance’s summit in The Hague. 

China has strongly objected to NATO’s interest in expanding ties in the Asia-Pacific and accused the alliance of stirring “conflict and war.”

Xi’s remarks were his clearest yet in recent months aimed at rallying support from regional partners as China counters what it sees as attempts to isolate or encircle it through military and economic alliances.

Observers see the China-Singapore dynamic as a test case for how Beijing intends to promote a multipolar narrative.