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Dr Ng: Disastrous Consequences for War in Asia; De-escalation is Key
18 February 2023
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Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen speaking at the Maritime Security (MARSEC) Roundtable during the 59th Munich Security Conference (MSC).
Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen is in Germany from 17 to 19 February 2023 (Singapore time) to attend the 59th Munich Security Conference (MSC). The MSC is an annual high-level security conference that brings together heads of government, defence and foreign ministers, parliamentarians, military leaders, and security experts from around the world. This year's MSC covers a wide range of important security issues such as geopolitical and security developments in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East, and other security issues pertaining to defence cooperation, international trade and climate security.
Dr Ng spoke on the topic "Bridging Troubled Waters – Mapping Escalation Potential in the Indo-Pacific Region", as part of the Maritime Security Roundtable at the MSC moderated by Associate Fellow of the Royal Institute of International Affairs Bill Hayton. Alongside Dr Ng at the roundtable were Philippines Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo, Vice-Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the 13th National People's Congress of the People´s Republic of China (PRC) Dr Fu Ying, and Member of the European Parliament and Chairman of the EU Delegation for Relations with the PRC Mr Reinhard Bütikofer.
Dr Ng highlighted that physical conflicts may arise, even if neither party wished for them to happen. Leaders should work towards preventing miscalculation or inadvertent physical conflicts. He said, "We are not in a comfortable place. The temperature is not boiling, but certainly rising. We must do all we can to cool it. War in Asia will be devastating, not only for Asia but globally. The reasons for war do not justify any in Asia. The stakes are not worth it, the consequences disastrous and viable alternatives do exist."
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