DR NG VISITS CHINESE HISTORICAL SITES, MILITARY FACILITIES

As part of his introductory visit to China, Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen travelled to Jinggangshan in the Jiangxi Province and Zhanjiang in the Guangdong Province on 19 Jun to gain greater insight into China and its rich history and cultural heritage.

While in Jinggangshan, Dr Ng visited the Jinggangshan Revolution Museum where he was briefed on the significance of the region, which is said to be the birthplace of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and where Chinese revolutionaries like Mao Zedong achieved great success.

At Zhanjiang, Dr Ng visited the 1st Marine Brigade of the PLA Navy (PLAN) South Sea Fleet and met the Commander of the PLAN South China Sea Fleet Rear-Admiral Jiang Weilie. He also had the opportunity to board the PLAN's frigate Yuncheng where he was briefed on its operations.

Dr Ng had kick-started his four-day visit on 18 Jun in Beijing where 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.

GEN Liang hosted Dr Ng to a welcome ceremony at the People's Republic of China Ministry of National Defence prior to the meetings.

Dr Ng's visit to China underscores the warm and friendly defence relations between Singapore and China. The armed forces of both countries interact regularly through the exchange of visits, courses, seminars and port calls, and have also held two joint counter-terrorism training exercises.

Dr Ng will return to Beijing on 20 Jun to deliver a speech at the PLA National Defence University on building cooperation in a changing geopolitical landscape.