DR NG: US-CHINA ENGAGEMENTS KEY TO STABILITY OF ASIA-PACIFIC

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen called on both the United States (US) and China to make clear their overarching foreign policy objectives towards Asia, given the new US administration, at the 53rd Munich Security Conference on 19 Feb. He highlighted that how the US and China engage each other, and with other Asian countries is a key consideration for the stability of the Asia-Pacific region.

He said: "That the US as a military power is able to continue its presence and influence in the Pacific is not in doubt. But this military prowess, while necessary, is insufficient for continued stability and progress in Asia. Similarly, China as a rising power has to articulate its inclusive vision for Asia and beyond."

Dr Ng was speaking on the topic of Pacific No More? Security in East Asia and the Korean Peninsula as part of a panel that also included National People's Congress of China Foreign Affairs Committee Chairperson Fu Ying, South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se, US Senator Dan Sullivan and Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation Executive Secretary Lassina Zerbo.

In calling on China as a rising power to also articulate its vision for Asia and beyond, Dr Ng added that: "That vision will realistically serve China's interests but not exclusively, and must also provide other countries the assurance of clear common and acceptable rules around which countries can evolve a new order."

This year's Munich Security Conference was held from 17 to 19 Feb at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof in Munich, Germany and attended by around 500 heads of government, defence and foreign ministers, parliamentarians, military leaders and security experts. Topics discussed at the annual conference included ongoing security developments in the world, such as the war on terror, the future of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and emerging areas of security concern, such as cyber, climate and health.

While in Munich, Dr Ng also addressed the 9th Munich Young Leaders Round Table on the topic A Reset of the Global Order on 18 Feb. On the issue of uncertainty and unpredictability around the world today, he noted "history reminds us that in the absence of a global order and common cause, the default is regional hegemony, and each region basically marches to its own tune".

On the sidelines of the conference, Dr Ng met US Secretary of Defence James Mattis on 17 Feb, their first meeting ever, and reaffirmed the excellent and long-standing bilateral defence relationship between the two countries. Dr Ng also invited Mr Mattis to the annual Shangri-La Dialogue, to which the latter agreed to.

Dr Ng also reaffirmed the warm and friendly relations between Singapore and China during the meeting with Ms Fu on 18 Feb. They engaged in frank discussions on regional security issues and agreed on the usefulness of enhancing bilateral and multilateral cooperation, especially through the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus.

Besides Mr Mattis and Ms Fu, Dr Ng also met world leaders from Iran, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.