Dr Ng: Productive ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) Retreat and ASEAN-China Defence Ministers' Informal Meeting

Chinese Minister of National Defense General (GEN) Chang Wanquan (left) calling on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong during his introductory visit to Singapore.

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen chaired the ADMM Retreat and the ASEAN-China Defence Informal Meeting yesterday. Speaking to the media this morning, Dr Ng highlighted the successful conduct of the ADMM Retreat, including agreement by all ten ASEAN Defence Ministers to step up cooperation against terrorism. In the lead up towards Singapore's hosting of the 12th ADMM and 5th ADMM-Plus in October this year, Dr Ng said that Singapore hoped to secure support for other key thrusts of its Chairmanship, such as the promulgation of practical confidence-building measures to reduce the risk of miscalculations and mishaps in the region and enhance regional peace and stability. Dr Ng also elaborated on the strategic framework Singapore proposed to guide ASEAN's counter-terrorism efforts, he noted, "We (ASEAN Defence Ministers) felt that we needed a strategic framework to deal with counter-terrorism and Singapore proposed to put these measures, so that people can understand where you are placing your efforts and how to prioritise. The strategic framework is the three Rs… The first R is "Resilience", and there is recognition that… people were being radicalised and there needed to be… programmes which debunk the information that was radicalising people. The second R is "Response… The Trilateral Patrols involving Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines was a good response. The last is "Recover". As much as security leaders around the world would like to promise that you will never get an attack… no country is immune… It is not a matter of if but when… so that is the reality and our people must learn to recover and be resilient."

Dr Ng also highlighted the successful conduct of the ASEAN-China Defence Ministers' Informal Meeting, which underscored China's strong interest and commitment to engage ASEAN and the region. Dr Ng said, "It (ASEAN-China Defence Ministers' Informal Meeting) was very successful. I think both ASEAN and Chinese Defence Ministers expressed enthusiasm and satisfaction with the progress that has been made. The Chinese Minister reminded us that this was the eighth ASEAN-Plus One (meeting) with China in many years so we have been meeting very regularly. The ASEAN Defence Ministers all articulated that China was an indispensable member to stability and progress in the Asia-Pacific region, so this engagement of China will have to be stepped up. The practical aspect to building that relationship with ASEAN and China would be the ASEAN-China Maritime Exercise, which the Chinese had proposed some years back and we, all ten countries, accepted the invitation and tasked Singapore to make it happen this year. Both China and ASEAN gave their full support for this so we will work out the details."

In addition to the ASEAN-China Defence Ministers' Informal Meeting, Chinese Minister of National Defense General (GEN) Chang Wanquan is also in Singapore for an official visit from 4 to 8 February 2018. As part of his visit programme, GEN Chang called on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana, and had a breakfast meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Mr Teo Chee Hean. GEN Chang also visited Changi Naval Base, where he toured the Formidable-class frigate RSS Intrepid which had interacted with People's Liberation Army (Navy) on multiple occasions, and Headquarters 3rd Singapore Division, where he received a brief on the capabilities of Singapore Army platforms, such as the Leopard 2SG Main Battle Tank.

GEN Chang (third from right), hosted by Chief of Army Major-General Melvyn Ong, receiving a brief on the capabilities of the Leopard 2SG Main Battle Tank.

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen hosting GEN Chang to lunch this afternoon.