18-2-2024 (SINGAPORE) Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen stressed the imperative need to prevent conflicts in Asia at all costs, stating that the world cannot afford such confrontations. He emphasized that multilateral forums and diplomatic resolutions should be the primary means to preempt any potential conflicts.
Dr Ng made these remarks on February 17 during the 60th Munich Security Conference held in Germany. This annual conference brings together global leaders, including heads of government, defence and foreign ministers, parliamentarians, military officials, and security experts.
Participating in the main panel discussion titled “Connecting Hemispheres: Aligning Strategic Priorities in a Multi-Crisis Era,” Dr Ng joined German Federal Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius and Tanzanian Minister of Defence and National Service Stergomena Tax. Silvia Amaro, senior correspondent for CNBC, moderated the panel.
When questioned about the significant defence expenditures in the Indo-Pacific and the possibility of an arms race, Dr Ng acknowledged that countries have the right to allocate resources to safeguard their interests. He highlighted that by 2030, the United States is projected to spend approximately US$1 trillion (S$1.35 trillion) on defence, while China’s defence budget is estimated to reach around US$500 billion.
Dr Ng also drew attention to the unpredictability of conflicts, citing the Israel-Hamas conflict as an example. He emphasized that the lessons learned from such conflicts underscore the necessity to prevent any form of conflict in Asia. According to him, no justification exists for engaging in conflicts that could have severe consequences for the region and the world.
Furthermore, Dr Ng expressed concerns about having three simultaneous theatres of instability, referring to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, the Israel-Hamas conflict, and the potential conflict between the United States and China. He warned that if a conflict were to arise between the US and China, the repercussions would negatively impact global stability for decades to come.
Dr Ng found reassurance in the meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and American President Joe Biden at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference in San Francisco in November 2023. He commended the positive statements made by both leaders during the meeting.
Addressing the issue of Taiwan electing pro-independence President William Lai, Dr Ng expressed satisfaction with President Biden’s statement that he does not support Taiwanese independence. He also noted that the response from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) following Lai’s election was relatively subdued, which he found reassuring.
When asked about his concerns, Dr Ng highlighted the potential reward for Russia’s aggression if political support from Western Europe or the US for Ukraine wavers amid the ongoing war. He stressed the importance of standing up for beliefs and ways of life, emphasizing that small countries like Singapore protested against the Russian invasion in Ukraine early on.
Regarding cooperation, Dr Ng emphasized the significance of military-to-military engagement, particularly in mitigating the risks of strategic miscalculations between nations such as the US, China, and Japan. He mentioned efforts within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to enhance military-to-military engagement among 18 nations, underscoring the ongoing commitment to fostering collaboration.
