Minister for Defence Speaks at Fifth Xiangshan Forum

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen speaking at the Xiangshan Forum in Beijing this morning.

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen is in Beijing, China to attend the fifth Xiangshan Forum and spoke at a plenary session on the topic of "Regional Perspectives on Asia-Pacific Security" earlier this morning.

During his speech, Dr Ng highlighted that along with the rise of Asian economies and the evolution of new financial mechanisms and economic institutions to match Asia's developmental needs, there had also been a corresponding rise in levels of defence spending in the region. Dr Ng stressed that "in the defence and security arena too, Asia needs a security architecture which can accommodate this military modernisation and provide for peace and stability in the region." He then proposed three essential elements for this security architecture to promote peace and stability in Asia. First, it needs to be open and inclusive. Second, it must provide stable and regular platforms for dialogue, practical cooperation and confidence-building. Third, it must have mechanisms that promote peaceful means of resolving disputes and de-escalating tensions when they occur.

The Xiangshan Forum is organised by the China Association for Military Science, a non-official Chinese think-tank on military science studies. Other topics discussed during the forum include the regional security architecture, counter-terrorism and maritime security.

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Speech by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen, at the Xiangshan Forum