During the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing announced the launch of the Guiding Principles for Underwater Infrastructure Defence Exchanges (GUIDE), a collaborative framework endorsed by 17 countries, including Australia, France, and the United Kingdom. This initiative aims to establish international norms for the protection of critical underwater infrastructure, such as subsea telecommunications cables and energy transmission systems. Chan emphasized the importance of cooperation to mitigate risks associated with disruptions to these vital networks, which carry over 95% of global internet traffic. The GUIDE framework is voluntary and non-legally binding, allowing countries to explore cooperation in areas like information-sharing and crisis response. Recent incidents of damage to subsea cables underscore the vulnerabilities of these infrastructures. Additionally, Chan co-hosted a breakfast meeting with ASEAN defence ministers, discussing the significance of international law and the need for regional stability. The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to keeping airways and waterways safe for trade, highlighting the importance of ASEAN centrality in regional security.