COLLECTIVE EFFORT NEEDED FOR A STABLE ASIAN REGION: DR NG

"There has been much talk that with the growth of China, India and ASEAN, the centre of gravity has shifted eastwards. But this ASEAN or Asian century can only be realised if all countries, big and small, take collective efforts to tackle our security and economic challenges together."
 
Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen said this during his plenary speech at this year's Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD) on 3 Jun.
 
The continued threat of terrorism, the South China Sea maritime disputes and other hot-button issues such as North Korea's nuclear ambitions dominated the 17th SLD, organised by the International Institute for Strategic Studies from 1 to 3 Jun.
 
Maintaining a rules-based order 
In his speech at the fifth plenary session, Dr Ng highlighted the need for all countries, including the United States (US) and China, to uphold a rules-based order, in order for Asia to continue to thrive and prosper.
 
Both China and the US are "attempting to address perceived inequalities and accepted principles or practices which disadvantage them", and it is important for the two countries to find a common understanding, he noted.
 
"It would be a lose-lose scenario for the world if the US and China are unwilling to work together for an inclusive system that both large and small states benefit from, and where the rules apply to all. 
 
"We hope that enlightened minds and leadership prevail and the US and China avoid a trade war which can only lead to more losers than winners." 
 
Northeast Asian states important for ASEAN
While the US-China relationship is the most important bilateral relationship for the Asia-Pacific, the relationship among Northeast Asian states is also critical for ASEAN's stability, said Dr Ng. 
 
Noting a positive shift in the relations among China, Japan and South Korea, Dr Ng said that the Japan Self-Defence Forces will be stepping up its engagement with the Chinese People's Liberation Army after a six-year hiatus. Both countries will also be setting up a security hotline to defuse tensions during air and maritime incidents. 
 
In addition, these three countries recently reconvened a trilateral summit at the ministerial level to strengthen dialogue and cooperation across multiple domains.
 
Nations such as India, France, Germany and the United Kingdom have also pledged their commitment to the region. 
 
Said Dr Ng: "The renewed vigour of these countries reflect the recognition as well as concern about the stability of Asia, because (the region) contains key international maritime and air routes that are essential to the functioning of global commerce and markets."
 
ASEAN focus on South China Sea code of conduct
During a media interview, Dr Ng also highlighted that one of Singapore's focus areas, as ASEAN chair this year, is to progress in concluding the Code of Conduct (COC) on the South China Sea. 
 
The COC should address concerns of both claimant and user states, and there must be give and take when constructing rules, he said.  

 "The South China Sea is no ordinary passage. (Being) able to sail through these waterways…(with) certainty that nothing untoward will happen... (will be) a key confidence-building measure." 
 
He added that all ASEAN countries have agreed to participate and send ships or troops to the ASEAN-China Maritime Exercise that will be co-chaired by Singapore and China later this year. 
 
Strengthening S'pore-M'sia defence ties
On the sidelines of the Dialogue, Dr Ng met newly-appointed Malaysian Minister of Defence Mohamad Sabu.
 
"We talked about a lot of things, including the good food in Singapore and Malaysia… He asked me where the best fish biryani was in Singapore and told me what were the good food in Malaysia," said Dr Ng with a laugh during a media interview.
 
On a more serious note, he said that he was very assured by Mr Sabu's affirmation of their countries' defence relations, as well as understanding of the importance and usefulness of the Five Power Defence Arrangements.
 
"Malaysia will continue its commitment, and wants to maintain, if not improve, (our) defence ties. It was a very good and warm start," said Dr Ng.