Written Reply by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen to Parliamentary Question on Singapore - China's Defence Relations and Joint Military Exercise held from 28 Apr to 1 May 2023

Mr Desmond Choo: To ask the Minister for Defence (a) what is the significance to regional security with  the Singapore and China joint military exercise held from 28 April to 1 May 2023; and (b) whether there are plans for further deepening of military ties.

Minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen:

Military exercises between the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the People's Liberation Army (PLA) are in accordance with the enhanced Agreement on Defence Exchanges and Security Cooperation (ADESC) signed between Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen and then-Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense GEN Wei Fenghe in 2019. These agreements which we have with many other countries reflect our approach in defence diplomacy, which is to build a network of good defence ties.

The recently concluded naval exercise – Exercise Maritime Cooperation –is one of two bilateral exercises that the SAF conducts with the PLA. An exercise between our two armies – Exercise Cooperation – is also scheduled to take place this year. This year's exercises mark a resumption following a pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of the enhanced ADESC, our defence establishments and militaries also agreed to engage in regular dialogues, academic exchanges and cross-attendance in each other's multilateral conferences.