News Releases
Ministers Agree on Stronger Security Cooperation
1 June 2019
This article has been migrated from an earlier version of the site and may display formatting inconsistencies.
Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen (fourth from left) hosting the 1st Ministerial Roundtable at the 18th Shangri-La Dialogue.
Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen hosted 22 visiting Ministers and their representatives to a Roundtable discussion today, in conjunction with the 18th Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD). The Ministerial Roundtable has been a regular feature of the SLD since it was initiated in 2002. The Ministers gave their perspectives on a wide range of issues, including the US-China relationship, the terrorist threat and its counter measures, as well as other security challenges in the Asia-Pacific.
The Ministers exchanged views on the security implications of the US-China relationship. They agreed that this was the most vital bilateral relationship to the region. They were also reassured that the US and China would work towards a stable and constructive US-China relationship that is crucial to sustaining peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.
The Ministers recognised that the ever present threat of terrorism transcends geographical boundaries and highlighted the need for greater counter-terrorism collaboration such as through the exchanging of information and experience. They also agreed that the issue of returning foreign fighters needed to be dealt with quickly and decisively.
The Ministers also discussed the latest developments on the Korean Peninsula. They expressed hope for the peaceful de-nuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula and continued international engagement with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
In light of the geopolitical developments within and beyond the region, the Ministers reaffirmed the importance of ASEAN's continued security cooperation with the major powers and other extra-regional partners, to preserve peace and stability in the region.
Dr Ng with Acting United States Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan and Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense General Wei Fenghe at the 1st Ministerial Roundtable of the 18th Shangri-La Dialogue.