World would like to see continuity in management of China-US relationship: Ng Eng Hen
During his trip to Beijing, Dr Ng spoke at and attended the Xiangshan Forum, China’s largest show of military diplomacy.
Most world leaders would like to see continuity and follow-up in how China and the United States manage their relationship, said Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, as the top leaders of the two superpowers get ready to meet later this month. (Photo: CNA/Olivia Siong)
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BEIJING: Most world leaders would like to see continuity and follow-up in how China and the United States manage their relationship, said Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, as the top leaders of the two superpowers get ready to meet later this month.
He added this involves ensuring that the process does not get disrupted by other issues that may emerge, like they have in the past.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday (Nov 1) as he wrapped up a four-day visit to Beijing, Dr Ng referenced the alleged Chinese spy balloon incident earlier this year, which resulted in US Secretary of State Antony Blinken postponing his planned trip to Beijing.
BIDEN, XI TO MEET AT APEC SIDELINES
The White House announced on Wednesday that US President Joe Biden will meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in San Francisco.
Dr Ng said the confirmation did not come as a surprise, as officials he spoke with in Beijing signalled that the meeting was on the cards.
But he added that expectations should be realistic.
“They're not at the stage where they can aim for resolution of core differences,” said Dr Ng.
“They're far away from that. Nobody expects it.”
Instead, Dr Ng suggested that both sides should look at aspects which they can agree on or are achievable, that will “build confidence” at various levels.
These could be on the economic or defence fronts, or in joint actions to deal with transnational global threats, such as climate change and the Israel-Hamas conflict.
BOTH SIDES UNDERSTAND WHAT'S AT STAKE
The last time the Chinese and American presidents met in person was on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Bali last year.
“Follow up and continuity is key. You can have meetings, but if there are no effective outcomes, then it actually discourages you,” said Dr Ng.
“So, I'm optimistic this time there will be such an outcome because coming out of (the meeting in Bali), I think both sides have an understanding of what's more at stake.”
During his trip, Dr Ng spoke at and attended the Xiangshan Forum, branded as Beijing’s answer to the Shangri-La Dialogue held in Singapore.
However, the annual defence gathering’s lack of high-level representation from the West has drawn attention.
Over 90 nations and international organisations attended this year’s event, many from developing countries and the global south, seen as friends and partners of China.
The US also sent a delegation to the event, but not at the defence minister level.
Dr Ng said this can change if the US or western Europe were to recognise the importance of the platform.
But on a larger scale, he pointed out that it reflected challenges the world faces, with a line being drawn between the developed world and the global south.
“That itself is a friction point, a tectonic plate. If you don't pay attention to it, you will lose the global south, if you've not already lost it,” said Dr Ng.
“The developed countries, you will lose the emerging economies, and without their buy-in, without their cooperation, you won't be able to address global challenges, not least like climate change.”
XIANGSHAN FORUM A SHOW OF CHINA'S MILITARY DIPLOMACY
The Xiangshan Forum is China’s largest show of military diplomacy.
But this year, it took place without a Chinese defence minister at the helm, after Beijing removed Li Shangfu from the post last week without explanation and without naming a replacement.
“When you have a change of defence minister, it is always a significant event. But, I didn't sense that they were in any state of crisis or turmoil,” said Dr Ng.
“I think they will take it in their stride.”
Instead, it was China’s second-ranked military official General Zhang Youxia, who is vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, who delivered a closely watched speech at the opening ceremony of the forum on Monday.
When asked about the impact of the changes, Dr Ng said this would not affect bilateral cooperation.
“When it comes to bilateral relations, our agreements that we signed are institutionalised, and I think they will continue despite the change of personalities. So I think in short, it looks as if it's business as usual here.”
Dr Ng also met the Commission’s other vice chairman He Weidong, who ranks number three in the military hierarchy, during his visit along with other senior officials from the People’s Liberation Army.
He said Singapore and China’s armed forces are looking at how to step up engagement further, on the back of a defence agreement signed in 2019.
