Space for China and US to appoint special envoy to manage relationship: Ng Eng Hen

BEIJING: There could be space for China and the United States to each appoint a special envoy, as part of efforts by both sides to manage their troubled bilateral relationship, said Singapore’s Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen.

He made this suggestion at a regional security forum in Beijing on Tuesday (Oct 31), where the China-US strategic rivalry has been in focus. 

Dr Ng had been asked by a Chinese delegate attending the closely watched Xiangshan Forum how he envisioned building an Asia-Pacific security mechanism, given that there are already numerous initiatives in place. 

This includes the Global Security Initiative (GSI) proposed by China, as well as arrangements such as the Five Eyes, AUKUS and the Quad involving the US and its partners.  

“Some will say there needs to be a change in the world order,” said Dr Ng. 

However, he noted that this would involve a new “pecking hierarchy”. 

“There isn't a situation in global affairs where nobody wanted that space on top. Everybody wants to be a hegemon if they can be, and I think that’s the reality,” he added. 

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CHINA, US 'VITAL' FOR ALL COUNTRIES

Dr Ng said that countries will have to deal with the world “as it is, not as we wish”, pointing out that the relationship between the US and China is “vital” for all countries.  

Beijing and Washington continue to face a range of thorny issues, but have stepped up engagement in recent months. 

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made a rare trip to the US over the weekend, amid talk that a meeting could take place between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Joe Biden next month on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in San Francisco. 

Dr Ng said this was “good progress”, adding there is “low-hanging fruit” that is possible too. 

“The US and China are large complex countries with many organisations,” said Dr Ng, as he pointed out that the Chinese leadership has not changed as much as the US leadership in the past 10 to 15 years. 

“That’s not a criticism. That’s just a description of the systems,” he added. 

For stability, Dr Ng suggested China and the US could each appoint a special envoy, to continue engagement despite flash points that may emerge.  

He recalled the incidents involving an alleged Chinese spy balloon earlier this year and chilly bilateral talks in Alaska in 2021.

“It disrupts the whole process and each time it occurs, the US Secretary of Defense has said to me ... the military-to-military talks stalled and you can’t make progress, similarly for the economic or other aspects,” said Dr Ng.  

“So perhaps a special envoy of sorts could help that, but that is just one small suggestion in a very large sea of existing initiatives.” 

CHINA-US RIVALRY AMONG "CENTRAL CONUNDRUMS" FOR THIS GENERATION

He added that Singapore has taken a position that the US is a stabilising force in the region and continues to play a positive role. 

“There might be a difference of opinions, but consider this - if the US, for any reason, whether it's unwilling or unable to maintain a military or a dominant influence in Asia, what are the scenarios that may ensue?” said Dr Ng.  

“The Northeast Asia peninsula will see an increase in security threats. That’s the very least.”

But he also noted that issues like tensions over Taiwan and the disputed South China Sea need to be resolved.

In a speech at the annual security gathering earlier, Dr Ng said the China-US strategic rivalry will be one of the “central conundrums” for this generation.   

He noted while differences between the two countries will always exist, the G2 scenario where China dominates one sphere of the world and the US another is a “fantasy” and will “never become the reality”. 

“Neither will the world be better off if either the US or China declines,” said Dr Ng.  

“We need both a strong US and strong China if we are to effectively address global challenges. What is needed is that political commitment and hard work from both countries to improve relations.”  

PHYSICAL CONFLICT IN ASIA WILL BE "DEVASTATING"

Dr Ng also urged defence establishments and militaries to engage with each other to reduce the risk of miscalculations and mishaps. 

He described preventing a physical conflict in Asia as “the most important task” for the coming decade.  

The call comes as the Xiangshan Forum, branded as China’s answer to the annual Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, took place this year under the cloud of the Israel-Hamas conflict and the lingering war in Ukraine.  

Dr Ng said whether Asia can rise and prosper as it did in the last two decades, depends on the region’s ability to secure peace, despite growing geopolitical instability.  

“What has happened in Europe and the Middle East must never occur here. Simultaneous conflicts in Asia, Europe and the Middle East will be catastrophic for our world,” he said.   

“A physical conflict in Asia, whatever the rationale, whatever the precipitating cause, will be devastating. We must do all we can to avoid it.” 

For China to promote stability regionally and globally, and for its progress to be regarded as virtue rather than threat, Dr Ng suggested China can do more to integrate its markets with the rest of the world.

It can also assure nations that its growth does not seek to supplant or replace and lead the way in reducing tension in the region.

“Whether China accepts it or not, wants it or not, it is already seen as a dominant power and must therefore act as a benevolent one,” he said.