Strengthening multilateral ties key to regional stability: Mr Heng

Actions
https://www.mindef.gov.sg/web/wcm/connect/pioneer/66522eef-5250-4094-ade7-52a63e8ccaae/1_DSCF0478.JPG?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=ROOTWORKSPACE.Z18_1QK41482LG0G10Q8NM8IUA1051-66522eef-5250-4094-ade7-52a63e8ccaae-mFz1qib /web/wcm/connect/pioneer/66522eef-5250-4094-ade7-52a63e8ccaae/1_DSCF0478.JPG?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=ROOTWORKSPACE.Z18_1QK41482LG0G10Q8NM8IUA1051-66522eef-5250-4094-ade7-52a63e8ccaae-mFz1qib /web/portal/pioneer/article/regular-article-detail/diplomacy/2019-Q2/26apr19_news1
/web/portal/pioneer/article/regular-article-detail/diplomacy/2019-Q2/26apr19_news1
26apr19_news1
26 Apr 2019 | DIPLOMACY

Strengthening multilateral ties key to regional stability: Mr Heng

// Report & Photos by Lee Yin / From Moscow, Russia

English 华文

"It is essential that all players work together to arrive at a new equilibrium. This necessarily involves give-and-take on all sides. While it may be difficult, we must do it and avoid a return to the pre-World War II system of bilateralism, or the Cold War-era bifurcation of global politics," said Senior Minister of State for Defence Heng Chee How at the 8th Moscow Conference for International Security.

Mr Heng was speaking during a plenary session on the topic of – Regional Security Aspects: Asia, Africa, and Latin America on 24 Apr on the urgent need for this new equilibrium, in the face of emerging protectionist and isolationist sentiments and United States-China rivalry in the Asia-Pacific region.

Other speakers on the panel included Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela's Secretary of the Defence Council Major-General Pascualino Angiolillo Fernandez, Central African Republic's Minister of National Defence Marie-Noelle Koyara, China's Minister of National Defence General (GEN) Wei Fenghe, Democratic People's Republic of Korea's Minister of the People's Armed Forces General No Kwang-Chol, Laos' Minister of National Defence Lieutenant-General Chansamone Chanyalath and Russia's Deputy Head of the Russian General Staff's Main Department Vice-Admiral Igor Kostyukov.

Elaborating on the two troubling trends, he noted that they challenged the spirit of multilateralism and undermined regional stability in the longer-run.

"More countries may be put in positions where they have to choose sides, whether deliberately or as an inadvertent and unfortunate outcome.… Such zero-sum approaches pose hard choices for regional states," he cautioned.

"As we search for this new equilibrium, it is essential that all sides find ways to manage disputes and prevent them from escalating. While some competition is to be expected between great powers, conflict is not inevitable."

To counter the two trends and strengthen multilateralism, Mr Heng put forth two ways defence ministries and militaries can help. First, maintain strong military-to-military cooperation and communication in order to build trust. He said: "Communication and a degree of trust between military establishments are essential in averting crisis and countering escalatory narratives."

Second, develop regional security institutions such as the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus, which includes Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia, the US and the 10 ASEAN states, because such institutions provide important platforms to foster practical cooperation and dialogue, and consequently trust among member states.

The annual conference, held in Moscow, Russia from 23 to 25 Apr this year, brings together high-level defence, military, and foreign affairs leaders from around the world to discuss a range of security issues.

While in Moscow, Mr Heng also met Russia's Deputy Minister of Defence Colonel-General Alexander Fomin, China's GEN Wei, and Saudi Arabia's Deputy Minister of Defence His Royal Highness Prince Khalid Bin Salman bin Abdulaziz on the sidelines of the conference.

Suggested Reading
New CMPB to open in 2025; OneNS web portal to be ready this year
New CMPB to open in 2025; OneNS web portal to be ready this year
COMMUNITY
29-Feb-24

Servicemen across all stages of NS can look forward to greater convenience from new facilities and initiatives introduced by the SAF.

SLD remains valuable platform for crucial discussions: Dr Ng
SLD remains valuable platform for crucial discussions: Dr Ng
DIPLOMACY
12-Jun-22

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen spoke on the US-China relationship, the importance of a rules-based order and the role of ASEAN as a regional security platform at the 19th Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD).

Army marks 55th anniversary, holds first ever virtual exhibition
Army marks 55th anniversary, holds first ever virtual exhibition
COMMUNITY
01-Dec-20

There's a whole host of activities and games for everyone in the family at the Army 55 virtual exhibition.

Prepared for pandemics Feature
Prepared for pandemics
OPS & TRAINING
04-Nov-20

It's the first next-generation medical centre that is designed to handle pandemic outbreaks.

A route like no other
A route like no other
MILESTONES
08-Jul-20

It was always her dream to join the public service.

S’pore unveils new Total Defence logo
S’pore unveils new Total Defence logo
PEOPLE
15-Feb-20

For the first time in 35 years, the Total Defence logo has a fresh, new look. The designer Samantha Teng shares her inspiration and message behind the new logo which incorporates Digital Defence.

SAF enhances precautionary measures against novel coronavirus Feature
SAF enhances precautionary measures against novel coronavirus
OPS & TRAINING
12-Feb-20

In view of the 2019 novel coronavirus situation, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has enhanced measures at SAF camps and bases to safeguard the health of its soldiers while maintaining operational readiness. Senior Minister of State for Defence Heng Chee How visited the Basic Military Training Centre on 11 Feb to observe the measures that have been put in place.

What you need to know about the 6th Nanchang International Military Tattoo Feature
What you need to know about the 6th Nanchang International Military Tattoo
COMMUNITY
04-Nov-19

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Central Band is flying the flag high for Singapore at the 6th Nanchang International Military Tattoo.

Doing her part for the nation
Doing her part for the nation
PEOPLE
17-Oct-19

Would you reschedule your honeymoon to cover for a colleague while he went for In-Camp Training (ICT)? Ms Ulfah Khairiah Binte Aman did just that in December last year.

Five facts about Peace Carvin V Feature
Five facts about Peace Carvin V
OPS & TRAINING
11-Oct-19

What you need to know about the RSAF detachment that’s celebrating its 10th anniversary in Idaho, United States.