CHINA'S TIES WITH ASIA-PACIFIC COUNTRIES KEY TO STABILITY: DR NG

China's relationships with other Asia-Pacific countries are critical factors in maintaining stability and the momentum of globalisation in the region.

This point was made by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen in his speech at the People's Liberation Army National Defence University on 20 Jun, which was part of his introductory visit to China. The audience for his speech on Building cooperation in a changing geopolitical landscape included about 120 senior defence officials, academics and students from the university.

Dr Ng elaborated that in the most important relationship, between China and the United States, "both sides have openly committed to building a cooperative partnership based on mutual respect and benefit". However, he added that elements of competition would always be present in any relationship.

"Much work remains in moving the relationship forward. It is therefore important that we create opportunities to build common understanding and cooperation. This is in the interest of all countries with a stake in the continued prosperity of the region," said Dr Ng.

In addition, Dr Ng said that a constructive China-ASEAN relationship was essential for regional growth and stability. China is an integral part of this globalised world, with its fate intertwined with others. Its actions will impact the rest of the world and vice versa, he said.

On creating opportunities to build common understanding, Dr Ng noted that stable and constructive relationships are best cultivated within a security framework. He highlighted that ASEAN has made much progress in this area in the last decade, through formal groupings such as the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus, the East Asia Summit and the ASEAN Regional Forum, as well as informal platforms like the Shangri-La Dialogue.

In his speech, Dr Ng also elaborated on the different aspects of the Singapore-China relationship. In particular, he said that he was heartened that "Singapore and China have had a steady exchange of high-level visits, strengthening economic links and growing people-to-people exchanges and that "friendships had been forged through our regular interactions, even in faraway places".

He also reiterated that China is an important friend of Singapore and that he was confident that the two countries would continue to work together for mutual benefit, and further strengthen the relationship in the way forward.

Dr Ng's four-day visit to China began in Beijing on 18 Jun, when he met top Chinese officials such as Member of the Central Military Commission (CMC) of the People's Republic of China, State Councillor and Minister of National Defence General (GEN) Liang Guanglie and CMC Vice-Chairman GEN Xu Caihou.