DR NG: CHINA'S ROLE IN SETTING GLOBAL ORDER CRITICAL

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen underscored the critical role that China plays in determining the international order today, and how Singapore would play its part to forge a stable order with greater cooperation between China and the region, at the 52nd Munich Security Conference (MSC) on 13 Feb.

He said: "By virtue of its economic and military heft, China's leadership role in international affairs is a given. We cannot pretend that China is just like any other major economy. By its actions or lack thereof, China de facto sets norms and even rules for the global system."

Dr Ng was speaking on the topic of China and the International Order(s): Beijing s Role in the World as part of a panel that included United States Senator Robert Corker, former Prime Minister of Australia and President of the Asia Society Kevin Rudd, and Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee of China's National People's Congress Fu Ying.

Citing China's economic contribution to Asia s growth in the last decade, Dr Ng outlined China's deep integration into the region and beyond. He said: "China too must now articulate its vision for its desired global order I think China needs to do that because its own stability is now dependent on the stability of the overall system."

Adding on his Facebook after the discussion, he said: "I was glad Mdm Fu acknowledged that China was on a steep learning curve and had to better explain itself on international fora. If it did not, others would provide alternate narratives and sow suspicion."

Held from to 12 to 14 Feb this year, the MSC is an annual high-level security conference attended by heads of government, defence and foreign ministers, parliamentarians, military leaders and security experts from around the world.

While in Munich, Dr Ng also addressed the 8th Munich Young Leaders Round Table on the topic of A Shifting World Order on 14 Feb. The Round Table brings together young leaders from governments, think-tanks and the private sectors from the US, Europe, the Middle East as well as selected Asia-Pacific countries. The annual event provides a platform to share views on issues related to foreign and security policies.

Discussing the various forces that would shape the evolving World Order over the next two decades, Dr Ng stressed the importance of encouraging the acceptance or continuation of universal principles. He said: "And it is in everyone s interest to maintain a balance of powers, so that dominant powers would take into account the interests of small and large states."

On the sidelines of the conference, Dr Ng had bilateral meetings with world leaders from China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Qatar, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.