30-5-2024 (SINGAPORE) In a move aimed at reinforcing the longstanding defence relationship between Singapore and China, Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun has arrived in the city-state for an introductory visit that will span from Thursday (May 30) to Sunday. The visit underscores the warm and friendly bilateral ties between the two nations, according to Singapore’s Ministry of Defence (MINDEF).
During his visit, Minister Dong will meet with Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean, further strengthening the diplomatic channels between the two countries. Additionally, he will participate in the Shangri-La Dialogue, a premier security forum that brings together defence chiefs from across the globe.
On Thursday morning, Dong was welcomed with a guard of honour at MINDEF before co-chairing the third Singapore-China Defence Ministers’ Dialogue with his Singaporean counterpart, Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen. The dialogue served as a platform for the two ministers to reaffirm the positive momentum in the bilateral defence relationship, exemplified by regular high-level exchanges, military-to-military interactions, and growing academic exchanges between the defence establishments.
Both sides expressed their support for the conduct of the sixth edition of Exercise Cooperation between the Armies and the third edition of Exercise Maritime Cooperation between the Navies in China this year. MINDEF highlighted that such exercises allow both nations to strengthen professional and people-to-people ties, as well as enhance mutual trust and understanding.
During the dialogue, Dong and Ng also exchanged views on global and regional security issues, underscoring the commitment to open communication and cooperation on matters of international significance.
Dong’s itinerary includes a visit to Changi Naval Base, where he will tour the Republic of Singapore Navy’s Formidable-class frigate RSS Steadfast and the Singapore Navy Museum. MINDEF noted that the Formidable-class frigates have exercised with the People’s Liberation Army Navy on multiple occasions, most recently in 2023, reflecting the strong maritime cooperation between the two nations.
At the Shangri-La Dialogue, Dong is scheduled to speak at a plenary session titled “China’s Approach to Global Security” on Sunday. His participation in this prestigious forum will provide insights into China’s perspectives on global security challenges and its role in addressing them.
Alongside Dong’s visit, his American counterpart, Lloyd Austin, is set to hold rare direct talks with him during the Shangri-La Dialogue. These face-to-face discussions, the first substantive encounter between the defence chiefs of the two global powers in 18 months, offer hopes of further military dialogue aimed at preventing potential flashpoint disputes.
This year marks the 21st edition of the Shangri-La Dialogue, which has become a barometer of US-China relations in recent years, particularly in the context of heightened tensions over issues such as Taiwan, the South China Sea, and the deepening of US defence ties in the Asia-Pacific region.
