ASEAN DEFENCE MINISTERS PROPOSE MEASURES TO REDUCE TENSIONS IN SOUTH CHINA SEA

At the 7th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) held in Brunei on 7 May, Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen and his fellow ASEAN Defence Ministers discussed regional security matters and recognised the progress made in practical cooperation under the ambit of the ADMM and the ADMM-Plus.

Some of the key issues discussed at the meeting included practical measures to reduce tensions in the South China Sea, build capacity, enhance confidence and promote stable military-to-military relations.

Addressing media after the ADMM, Dr Ng said: "We felt that these measures should be practical and actionable. Specifically, the ministers proposed for more confidence-building measures between militaries."

On 16 Jun, Singapore and Brunei will co-host the 2nd ASEAN Militaries' Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise in Brunei. The inaugural ADMM-Plus HADR and Military Medicine Exercise will be held in Brunei from 17 to 20 Jun.

Citing these exercises as good examples, Dr Ng said: "Militaries from the 18 nations of ADMM-Plus will cooperate in HADR and military medicine. It will be a big exercise, (with) nearly 2,000 troops, six ships, 18 helicopters, and medical, engineering and search and rescue teams. These types of exercises build understanding, confidence and trust in one another."

During the meeting, the ministers also supported the Leaders' commitment at the 22nd ASEAN Summit for ASEAN to work actively with China towards the early conclusion of a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.

"The ASEAN Defence Ministers expressed that an established code of conduct between ASEAN and China would go very far in reducing the risks of miscalculations and conflicts within the South China Sea. We felt that with these efforts, it should re-double our efforts in the quick adoption of the Code of Conduct," said Dr Ng.

In addition, the ministers signed a Joint Declaration to reaffirm the ASEAN countries' commitment to enhance regional peace and security.

While in Brunei, Dr Ng and the other ASEAN Ministers called on His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'zzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei, and had an informal meeting with the newly-appointed Chinese Minister of National Defense General Chang Wanquan, who was visiting Brunei at the same time.

Dr Ng also met with Brunei Minister of Energy Yasmin bin Haji Umar on the sidelines of the 7th ADMM. He will meet with Chinese Minister of National Defense General Chang Wanquan tomorrow.