With collective voice, Asean can play leadership role in Indo-Pacific region: Ng Eng Hen
Singapore's Minister of Defence Ng Eng Hen (second from right) hosted the Asean defence ministers and United States defence secretary James Mattis (fourth from left) to a meeting.
SINGAPORE – Welcoming the idea of Association of South-east Asian Nations (Asean) centrality in the Indo-Pacific region, Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said on Saturday (June 2) the grouping can aspire to lead other countries in the region, as he noted how it has been able to form a collective voice on many issues.
Speaking to reporters after the first ministerial roundtable at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue on Saturday (June 2), Dr Ng said the various visiting defence ministers and top officials also agreed that a rules-based order and “dispute resolution by peaceful means” are the way forward for the region.
Close to 30 representatives – including United States Defense Secretary James Mattis and China’s Lieutenant-General He Lei, the vice president of the People’s Liberation Army’s Academy of Military Sciences – attended the ministerial roundtable.
In his speech earlier in the day, Mr Mattis said it is United States’ priority to deepen alliances and partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region and Asean can play a key role. “Asean’s centrality remains vital, and cooperation with China is welcome where possible,” he said.
In his keynote address for the Shangri-La Dialogue on Friday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also placed Asean at the heart of the Indo-Pacific region and said it had risen above its rivalries to work together. The grouping’s unity will be essential for the stable future of the Indo-Pacific region, Mr Modi added.
Dr Ng said the centrality of Asean makes sense geographically. He acknowledged that Asean is diverse in areas like culture, religion and geographical terrain.
“And yet, out of that diversity, we have been able to form a collective body and in many issues, not all, form a collective voice,” Dr Ng said.
“Prime Minister Modi put it very beautifully that Asean can lead other (Asian) countries around Asean (through) that kind of unity, and I thought that’s something worth aspiring (for).”
The Singapore defence minister was also asked about Mr Mattis’ strongly-worded speech on China.
The retired American four-star general had said, among other things, that the United States is willing to work with China on a “results-oriented” relationship. But Mr Mattis added that Beijing’s actions in the South China Sea were coercive and that the Pentagon would “compete vigorously” if needed.
Through the speech, Dr Ng said he felt Mr Mattis has shown mastery of the complexity of the problems Asia faces. He also said he received positive feedback on the speech, with some observers saying they could feel Mr Mattis’ passion in ensuring Asia’s progress and stability.
“There was resonance that America has seen ups and downs of this region and has stood together with the nations, (was) together with us when we came out as colonies, against the threat of communism,” said Dr Ng of the feedback he received.
“That reassurance that America believes in free and independent nations, able to chart their own course without coercion, without fear, I think ranked very positive for most nations.”
Asked if he was disappointed that a Chinese minister did not attend the Shangri-La Dialogue, Dr Ng said they leave it to countries to decide on the level of representation.
“Whoever comes, I’m sure (he) is able to represent the views of the country,” he said.
Dr Ng added that China’s representative, Lieutenant-General He Lei, agreed with all the principles of the stability, rules-based order and invited all the ministers to the Xiangshan Forum to be held in October in Beijing to continue the discussion.
“I think it’s a good development,” said Dr Ng.
SINGAPORE TO PLAY ROLE AS 'GOOD HOST' TO HISTORIC TRUMP-KIM SUMMIT
Various government agencies are “working very hard” on making sure the historic summit between United States president Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un can take place on June 12, said Singapore’s Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen at the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Saturday (June 2).
Earlier in the day, Mr Trump had confirmed that his on-and-off meeting with Mr Kim will proceed as planned in 10 days’ time in Singapore. The American president had called off the meeting just eight days earlier.
When asked if he was glad the meeting is finally confirmed, Dr Ng said: “Singapore will play its role to be a good host. I know that security agencies from the Home team and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) are busy planning to make sure everything is safe. I know that officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) are especially working very hard.
“They’ve been working very hard and we want to contribute in our small ways so that the summit can occur.”
US Defense Secretary James Mattis and South Korean Defence Minister Song Young-moo had, in their speeches at the Shangri-La Dialogue, thanked Singapore for organising the June 12 event. Mr Mattis had said that, despite the short notice and uncertainties surrounding the summit, "Singapore had taken it all in their stride".
“Both the US and the South Korea have expressed great thanks to Singapore so far. Many of them have commented that, without Singapore, we would have not progressed so far,” said Dr Ng.
“I take it as affirmation the work that our officials and the MFA, Prime Minister’s Office and others – that have done to get us this far... Let’s just hope and plan, and if it takes place, let’s hope for the best.”
Dr Ng had hosted a luncheon for the visiting foreign defence ministers, with whom he discussed the issues and security challenges in the Korean Peninsula. He said he asked for a show of hands if they felt the upcoming summit is a positive step forward.
“Overwhelming majority thought it was a positive,” he said. “And the main reason was that dialogue is always better, it’s a good starting step. It may not solve all the problems but I think there is a lot of hope and obviously expectations. Those were the big takeaways over lunch.”
Dr Ng also revealed that Singapore will bear the costs of hosting the summit, describing it as “a cost we are willing to bear to play the smallest part in this historic meeting”.
Washington Post had earlier reported that the summit may be held at the Capella hotel in Singapore.
