Minister for Defence Encourages Stronger ASEAN-China Strategic Engagement at ASEAN-China Defence Ministers' Informal Meeting

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen (fifth from right) with the ASEAN-China Defence Ministers and ASEAN Secretariat.

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen attended the ASEAN-China Defence Ministers' Informal Meeting held in Beijing today. In addressing the Defence Ministers, Dr Ng emphasised the need for ASEAN and China to keep working together to maintain peace and stability in the region. He welcomed greater ASEAN-China cooperation through ASEAN-led platforms such as the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM)-Plus. He said that Singapore would carry out its role as the coordinator of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations to deepen the trust between ASEAN and China.

During the meeting, the ASEAN Defence Ministers welcomed China's continued engagement of the region. The Ministers discussed regional security issues such as counter-terrorism and transnational crimes, and acknowledged the need for greater cooperation and communication to address these challenges. They also pointed to the ADMM-Plus as the key platform for strengthening practical cooperation between ASEAN and its key extra-regional partners which include China.

Dr Ng is attending the ASEAN-China Defence Ministers' Informal Meeting from 15 to 16 October 2015 at the invitation of Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense General (GEN) Chang Wanquan.

As part of Dr Ng's visit to Beijing, he will be speaking at the sixth Xiangshan Forum tomorrow.

Dr Ng (right) attending the ASEAN-China Defence Ministersa�? Informal Meeting today.

More Resources

• Address by Singapore Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen at the ASEAN-China Defence Ministers' Informal Meeting in Beijing, China