ASEAN COUNTRIES MUST DO MORE TO BUILD TRUST AND GOODWILL: DR NG

Asian countries must do their part to protect and strengthen the global commons of security, trade and the environment, as their growth and prosperity hinge on interdependence within Asia and with the rest of the world. Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen made these remarks at the first plenary session of the 3rd Jakarta International Defence Dialogue (JIDD) on 20 Mar.

Speaking on "The Rise of Asia and New Geopolitics in the Asia-Pacific Region", Dr Ng pointed out several key trends emerging from a rising Asia that would transform geo-politics in the Asia-Pacific.

These included Asia's rising share of global trade, military modernisation in Asian countries and the growing workforce from China, India and ASEAN countries, which would have an impact on the global flow of trade and talent.

"We need to situate these dramatic changes of progress and military modernisation within a stable regional architecture that promotes stability," said Dr Ng. He added that not doing so would result in the risk of friction, tension and conflict which will "set us back for a long time".

Dr Ng said the region must work together to de-escalate the tensions arising from the South China and East China Seas territorial disputes. "We must guard against growing nationalism in our region that can pit nation against nation," he said.

Efforts to build trust and goodwill through multilateral and regional fora that facilitate dialogue and enhance cooperation must be strengthened. Citing examples such as the ASEAN Regional Forum, JIDD and ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM)-Plus, Dr Ng added that ADMM-Plus was particularly useful in allowing ADMM-Plus militaries, which included the United States, China, Japan and India, to exercise together and build confidence and understanding.

Exercises like the upcoming Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief/Military Medicine exercise which Brunei would be hosting in June, and a counter-terrorism exercise hosted by Indonesia in September, would bring together the many militaries and enhance cooperation.

While in Indonesia, Dr Ng also met with Indonesian Defence Minister Dr Purnomo Yusgiantoro, Malaysian Defence Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Bruneian Deputy Defence Minister Mustappa Sirat, US Deputy Secretary of Defence Dr Ashton Carter, and The People's Liberation Army Deputy Chief of General Staff Lieutenant-General Qi Jianguo.

Participating in this year's JIDD, hosted by Indonesia's Ministry of Defence and organised by the Indonesian Defense University, are more than 500 politicians, policy-makers and academics from various disciplines. They include defence ministers and chiefs of defence forces from 46 nations and organisations such as Interpol, United Nations Peacekeeping and European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

Over the two-day conference, participants will discuss military and security issues like cyber threats, conflict prevention and resolution, and maritime security.