INTERNATIONAL ORDER NECESSARY FOR MUTUAL TRUST

At this year's Shangri-La Dialogue, defence leaders from the Asia-Pacific, North America and Europe reaffirmed their commitment to resolving ongoing security challenges.

The shift in the balance of power in Asia, rising tensions in the East and South China Seas, and terrorism - these were the top issues discussed at the 14th Shangri-La Dialogue.

Held from 29 to 31 May, the annual high-level security summit was attended by 26 ministerial-level delegates, together with senior defence officials, military top brass and academics. They gathered for a series of plenary sessions on topics ranging from preventing conflict escalation to strengthening regional order in the Asia-Pacific.

Tensions in South China Sea

At the opening of the dialogue, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong called for a peaceful, open and inclusive international order to build "a world where legitimacy and constructive engagement are the international norm, and every country, big and small, can compete peacefully for the chance to prosper".

Mr Lee touched on the issue of maritime and territorial disputes in the South China Sea, where claimant states from the Asia-Pacific were reclaiming land, setting up outposts and reinforcing their military presence in the area.

While Singapore is taking no sides in the disputes, Mr Lee urged China and ASEAN to conclude a Code of Conduct on the South China Sea as soon as possible.

He noted that while such maritime disputes were unlikely to be solved anytime soon, they should be managed and contained. "Every Asian country stands to lose if regional security and stability are threatened."

Improving cooperation

Mr Lee added that as ASEAN celebrated its 48th anniversary this year, it had taken the lead to progressively build a framework of cooperation, engaging South Asia, East Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific.

He cited the ASEAN Regional Forum and ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting as successful platforms initiated by ASEAN to promote political and security cooperation in the Asia-Pacific. While regional integration had become much better, the countries should not rest on their laurels as "progress would not continue automatically", said Mr Lee.

Tackling terrorism

As the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) grows in power, it has become a real threat to the region, with Southeast Asia being its key recruitment centre.

With several individuals and radical groups in the region, including Singapore, already pledging their allegiance to ISIS, Mr Lee noted that this was the reason Singapore took the threat of terrorism very seriously. "The threat is no longer over there (Iraq and Syria); it is over here. We are participating in the international coalition against ISIS and we re contributing a KC-135 tanker to the operation."

New rules with the right spirit

On the sidelines of the Dialogue, Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen hosted a luncheon on 30 May for 22 ministers and representatives from countries attending the Dialogue, who shared their views on issues such as ways to resolve territorial disputes and maintain regional security.

Recognising that patience is needed in solving such conflicts, Dr Ng said that the claimant states should come together and find a satisfactory formulation. He added that there had to be willingness from claimants and non-claimants from all states to respond, so that even as disputes occurred, they would be in a context which reduced tensions and miscalculations.

In his speech at the concluding session of the Dialogue, Dr Ng noted that countries should work together to build a rules-based framework infused with the correct spirit, that would engender mutual confidence and trust.

"We must all work together, to provide clarity if not on principles or law, then on practices and procedures that maintain regional stability and restore confidence and trust."

New consensus

Even as dynamics change with the emergence of rising powers in the Asia-Pacific, the security architecture must remain inclusive and operate on rules which have the consensus of the larger international community, said Dr Ng.

"All of us have a vested interest to ensure that we maintain a rules-based system with respect for sovereignty and international law, as the fundamental tenets for stability in this new century."

Noting that these rules - which have brought peace and prosperity over the past decade - should remain relevant and strong, he called for a new consensus that would take into account the realities of the new challenges.

"(This new consensus should ensure that) principles such as sovereignty, respect for international law and peaceful settlement of disputes that protect the global commons remain at the core of global order in this century."

Dr Ng and Dr von der Leyen at the joint press conference held at the Ministry of Defence.

S'pore and Germany reaffirm 50 years of relations

On the sidelines of the Dialogue, Dr Ng met German Federal Minister of Defence Dr Ursula von der Leyen, with whom he held a joint press conference at the Ministry of Defence on 29 May. 2015 marks the 50th anniversary of both countries' diplomatic relations, and Mr Ng noted that Germany was among the first few countries to form diplomatic relations with Singapore when the latter gained independence.

"Here we are today, with very strong bilateral defence relationships, at various levels. Military to military, policy, and many shared interests on many common issues - terrorism, cybercrime, human trafficking, humanitarian disaster relief."

Sharing similar views, Dr von der Leyen said Singapore was one of Germany s key partners in the region, especially in the area of security.

She also revealed that there were talks on intensifying training and cooperation between both militaries, as well as sharing expertise gained on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and military coordination.