Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen attended the 14th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) and the ADMM Informal Meetings with China and the United States (US) today. The meetings were held virtually via video conferencing.

During the 14th ADMM, the ASEAN Defence Ministers expressed support for the continued defence cooperation among ASEAN Member States, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr Ng and the other Ministers also signed the 14th ADMM Joint Declaration on Defence Cooperation for a Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN. The Joint Declaration reaffirmed the importance of the ADMM and ADMM-Plus as key platforms to promote strategic dialogue and practical cooperation, and the commitment to strengthen defence cooperation among ADMM and ADMM-Plus countries to address common security challenges in the region.

The Ministers also exchanged views on the impact of COVID-19 on the region in the past year. They reaffirmed the ADMM's commitment to work closely together to support public health efforts, as well as to maintain the momentum of bilateral and multilateral cooperation initiatives amid the pandemic.

At the ASEAN-China Defence Ministers' Informal Meeting, Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense General Wei Fenghe reaffirmed China's commitment in strengthening the ASEAN-China defence relationship and cooperation. The ASEAN Defence Ministers expressed appreciation for China's assistance to the region in managing the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ministers also indicated their support for China's initiatives to deepen defence cooperation with ASEAN countries, and its participation and engagement in the ADMM-Plus.

At the ASEAN-US Defence Ministers' Informal Meeting, the ASEAN Defence Ministers welcomed US Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller to the ADMM-Plus and reaffirmed ASEAN's support for the US' continued engagement of the region. The Ministers discussed ways to enhance defence cooperation and information-sharing to address regional security issues. Acting Secretary Miller reaffirmed ASEAN's centrality in the regional security architecture, and the US' continued commitment to enhancing peace and stability in the region and its support for the ADMM-Plus.

The 7th ADMM-Plus will take place virtually tomorrow and will be attended by the ASEAN Defence Ministers as well as Defence Ministers or their representatives from the eight ADMM-Plus countries, namely Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, and the US.