Singapore and China Reaffirm Defence Ties on Sidelines of 16th Shangri-La Dialogue

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen held a bilateral meeting with the Vice President of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Academy of Military Sciences Lieutenant-General (LG) He Lei today, on the sidelines of the 16th Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD). LG He is leading the Chinese delegation, comprising several senior PLA officials, for SLD. 

During the meeting, Dr Ng and LG He reaffirmed the warm and friendly bilateral defence relationship between Singapore and China, which has steadily progressed over the years. They re-emphasised the value of the Four-Point Consensus agreed in 2014 between Dr Ng and Chinese Minister of National Defense General Chang Wanquan, and agreed to further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation. Dr Ng and LG He also acknowledged the importance of China's role in the Asia-Pacific region, and China's involvement in the regional security architecture through platforms such as the SLD, ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus and the Xiangshan Forum. LG He, who is also the Secretary-General of the Secretariat of the Xiangshan Forum, invited Dr Ng to participate in the 2018 edition of the forum.

LG He will also be meeting Permanent Secretary for Defence Mr Chan Yeng Kit and other senior MINDEF/SAF officials during the SLD.