1st November 2023 – (Singapore) Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen expressed the desire for continuity and follow-up in the management of China-US relations as the leaders of the two superpowers prepare to meet later this month. Dr Ng emphasized the importance of preventing disruptions caused by emerging issues, citing the alleged Chinese spy balloon incident earlier this year that led to the postponement of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Beijing.
The White House officially announced that US President Joe Biden will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in San Francisco. Dr Ng noted that the confirmation did not come as a surprise, as officials he spoke to in Beijing had indicated that the meeting was likely to take place. However, he cautioned against expecting a resolution of core differences between the two nations, stating that they are still far from reaching that stage.
Instead, Dr Ng proposed focusing on areas of agreement or achievable goals that can build confidence between the two countries. These areas could include economics, defence, and joint actions to address transnational threats such as climate change and conflicts like the Israel-Hamas issue.
Highlighting the significance of follow-up and continuity, Dr Ng referred to the last in-person meeting between the Chinese and American presidents, which took place on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Bali last year. He expressed optimism that this time there would be effective outcomes, as both sides understand the stakes involved.
During his four-day visit to Beijing, Dr Ng participated in the Xiangshan Forum, a defence gathering seen as Beijing’s response to Singapore’s Shangri-La Dialogue. However, the forum’s lack of high-level representation from the West garnered attention. While over 90 nations and international organizations attended, many were from developing countries and the global south, considered as allies of China. The United States also sent a delegation, but not at the defence minister level. Dr Ng suggested that this could change if the US and Western Europe recognized the platform’s importance. He also highlighted the larger challenge of bridging the gap between the developed world and the global south, emphasizing the need for their cooperation to address global challenges like climate change.
The Xiangshan Forum, known as China’s largest military diplomacy event, took place without a Chinese defence minister this year after Li Shangfu was removed from the position without explanation or a replacement named. General Zhang Youxia, the vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered a significant speech at the opening ceremony instead. Dr Ng stated that these changes would not affect bilateral cooperation and that agreements signed between Singapore and China would continue despite the personnel change.
Dr Ng’s visit also included meetings with Vice Chairman He Weidong and other senior officials from the People’s Liberation Army. He mentioned that Singapore and China’s armed forces are exploring ways to enhance their engagement based on a defence agreement signed in 2019.
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