Singapore Armed Forces and China's People's Liberation Army will Step Up Bilateral Defence Cooperation

Chinese Minister of National Defense General (GEN) Chang Wanquan (right) meeting with Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen during his introductory visit to Singapore.

Chinese Minister of National Defense General (GEN) Chang Wanquan is in Singapore for an official defence visit from 4 to 8 February 2018. GEN Chang was received by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen at the Ministry of Defence this morning with a Guard of Honour. In addition to visits to the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Army and Navy units, he was hosted to lunch by Second Minister for Defence Mr Ong Ye Kung and to dinner by Dr Ng.

During their meeting this morning, GEN Chang proposed to deepen Army cooperation, through the conduct of Exercise Cooperation in 2018 – 2019, and Navy cooperation, through port calls and other mutually beneficial interactions. GEN Chang also invited MINDEF and the SAF leadership to visit China. In this regard, Dr Ng accepted GEN Chang's invitation to this year's Xiangshan Forum, to be held in September 2018. Dr Ng likewise welcomed high-level visits from the People's Liberation Army to Singapore.

Both Ministers also discussed regional security issues, and agreed on the need to have open and inclusive security architectures. In that regard, GEN Chang conveyed China's support for Singapore's ASEAN Chairmanship, affirming that China would work with Singapore to deepen ASEAN-China relations. GEN Chang also conveyed his appreciation for the role that Singapore, as the ASEAN-China Country Coordinator, has played to improve defence ties between China and ASEAN.

As part of his visit programme, GEN Chang will call on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and be hosted to breakfast by Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Mr Teo Chee Hean. GEN Chang and Dr Ng will also co-chair the ASEAN-China Defence Ministers' Informal Meeting tomorrow.

GEN Chang's visit underscores the warm and friendly bilateral defence relations between Singapore and China.

GEN Chang inspecting a Guard of Honour at the Ministry of Defence this morning.

Dr Ng, accompanied by Second Minister for Defence Mr Ong Ye Kung, meeting with GEN Chang this morning.