BUILDING STRATEGIC TRUST IN THE ASIA PACIFIC

Strategic trust is needed for Asia to ensure its own security even as growing wealth translates into rapid modernisation of militaries within the Asia-Pacific region.

This was the key message highlighted by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen during his speech on 2 Feb at the 6th Munich Young Leaders Round Table on Security Policy.

Speaking on the topic of Peace and Security in the Asia Pacific: Perils and Prospects, he noted that by any comparison with the past, Asia today is wealthier and more independent. Asian nations are also increasingly nationalistic and the "resulting assertiveness has accentuated tensions and even precipitated conflict".

Citing tensions in the East China Sea and responses to the recent Air Defence Identification Zone designated by China, Dr Ng stressed that while "there have been no physical incidents as yet, the risks are not theoretical".

The need for an inclusive and robust regional security architecture is hence essential to the region, he added. Dr Ng highlighted positive engagement and dialogues to facilitate communication and promote understanding as essential to build trust.

The "Eyes-in-the-Sky" initiative proposed by Malaysian Prime Minister, then-Defence Minister Najib Razak at the 2005 Shangri-La Dialogue, is one such example of positive engagement. The joint maritime air patrols of the littoral states resulted in a sharp decline in piracy attacks in the Malacca Strait and the area was subsequently removed from Lloyd's list of war-risk zones in 2006.

Dr Ng also emphasised that dialogue must lead to practical cooperation to build understanding. The ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM)-Plus, for example, allows the exploration of practical cooperation in areas of mutual trust such as Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief.

He concluded that it was imperative that leaders not just consider the present, but learn from the past and anticipate the future, adding that "political will and leadership are needed to anchor trust and cooperation for mutual benefits and goals".

The Munich Young Leaders Round Table, now in its sixth edition, gathers young leaders from governments, think-tanks and the private sector from the United States, Europe, the Middle-East as well as selected Asia-Pacific countries to discuss issues related to foreign and security policy.

During his visit to Germany, Dr Ng attended the 50th Munich Security Conference held from 31 Jan to 2 Feb. While in Munich, he held bilateral meetings with various leaders, including Indian National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon, Italian Minister of Defence Mario Mauro and UK Secretary of State for Defence Philip Hammond. Dr Ng also attended a luncheon hosted by the German Minister of Defence Dr Ursula von der Leyen, and will meet Chinese Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People's Congress Fu Ying this afternoon.