SINGAPORE: The world cannot afford conflict in Asia and must avoid it at all costs, Defense Minister Eng Eng Hen said.
He added that such conflicts would be avoided through multilateral forums and diplomatic solutions.
Dr. Ng spoke on Saturday (February 17) at the 60th Munich Security Conference in Germany. The conference is an annual high-level security conference that brings together heads of government, defense ministers, foreign ministers, parliamentarians, military leaders, and security experts from around the world. .
He took part in the main panel discussion entitled “Connecting the Hemispheres: Aligning Strategic Priorities in a Time of Multiple Crisis” with Boris Pistorius, Federal Minister of Defense of Germany, and Minister of Defense and National Service Tax Stergomena of Tanzania. CNBC senior correspondent Sylvia Amaro moderated the panel.
In response to a question about huge defense spending and whether there is an arms race in the Indo-Pacific, Dr. Ng said nothing can stop countries from making spending decisions to protect their interests.
He pointed out that by 2030, the US will spend about $1 trillion (S$1.35 trillion) on defense, while China will spend about $500 billion.
Dr. Ng also pointed out that few years ago, no one predicted the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
“The lesson in this case is very clear: conflict in Asia should be avoided at all costs.” “In my opinion, there’s nothing that can justify that.”
Dr. Ng cited the specter of war between Russia and Ukraine, the conflict between Israel and Hamas, and the impending conflict between the United States and China, saying the world “cannot have three volatile arenas at the same time.” he added.
“If for some reason there was actually a conflict between the United States and China, I think it would ruin the future of both countries for the next 10, 20, 30 years.”
Dr Ng added that he felt encouraged when Chinese President Xi Jinping met with US President Joe Biden in San Francisco during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Conference in November 2023.
“It hit the right note,” he said.
Dr. Ng said he found it reassuring that one of Biden’s first statements was that he would not support Taiwan’s independence, even though Taiwan elected a new president, William Lai, who is known to be pro-independence. Stated.
“If you look at what the PLA (People’s Liberation Army) did in response to William Lai’s election, it wasn’t a big deal. And it was a relief.”
Asked what was keeping him up at night, Dr. Ng said it was because Russia’s aggression could be rewarded if political support for Ukraine in Western Europe or the United States wavers as the war drags on. answered.
“That keeps me up at night, because if that were the established rule, there would be no future for a small country like Singapore. That’s why we protested Russia’s invasion of Ukraine so early on. ” he added.
“Each country will need to do everything in its power to protect its beliefs and way of life.”
On ways to strengthen cooperation, Dr. Ng said military-to-military engagement is important, especially when there are potential offensive risks.
“This increases the risk of strategic miscalculation by the military of the United States and China. China and Japan,” he added.
“So in Asean…for example, we have increased military-to-military engagement with about 18 countries and we have to continue to work on that.” – The Straits Times/ANN