US should engage more in the economic aspect with Asia: Ng Eng Hen

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen (second from left on stage) speaking at the 9th Reagan National Defense Forum (RNDF) panel session titled "Our Strategic Advantage: Cooperation with Allies and Partners".

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen is in the United States (US) from 2 to 4 December 2022 (SG time) to attend the 9th Reagan National Defense Forum (RNDF). Held in Simi Valley, California, the RNDF brings together distinguished leaders and key players in the defence community to address national security issues. This year's conference is attended by US and select foreign defence and security officials, including US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, as well as members of the US Congress.

Earlier today, Dr Ng spoke on the topic “Our Strategic Advantage: Cooperation with Allies and Partners” alongside US Senator Lindsey Graham, Minister of Defence of Finland Antti Kaikkonen, Co-Founder and CEO, Palantir Technologies Dr Alexander C. Karp, and Commander of the U.S. Southern Command General (GEN) Laura Richardson.

In his remarks, Dr Ng reaffirmed the excellent and long-standing defence relations between Singapore and the US, particularly Singapore's support for the US' presence and engagement of the Asia-Pacific region. He highlighted that the US' military presence in Asia-Pacific was a stabilising force and urged the US to do more in the economic aspect. He said, "I think the US increasing their military presence in Asia as a stabilising force is virtuous ... the US should do more to engage, as it did previously, to build an economic framework as a tide that can lift all boats."

On the sidelines of RNDF, Dr Ng conducted a series of bilateral meetings with US Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall, Commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command ADM John Aquilino, Commander of the US Cyber Command and Director of the US National Security Agency GEN Paul M. Nakasone, and former US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper. Dr Ng also met with former US Secretary of Defence Leon Panetta, as well as Congressmen from the US House and Senate Armed Services Committees.

Dr Ng speaking at the 9th RNDF panel session. (Photo credit: Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute panel)

Dr Ng (right) meeting US Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall on the sidelines of the 9th RNDF.

Dr Ng (right) meeting Commander of the US Cyber Command and Director of US National Security Agency General Paul Nakasone on the sidelines of the 9th RNDF.

Dr Ng (right) meeting Commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command Admiral John Aquilino on the sidelines of the 9th RNDF.

Dr Ng meeting (right) former US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper on the sidelines of the 9th RNDF.

More Resources

Remarks by Minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen, for the "Our Strategic Advantage: Cooperation with Allies and Partners" at the Ninth Reagan National Defense Forum Panel on 4 December 2022