China-Singapore defense ties 'warm and friendly'

Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun is visiting Singapore, expected to meet senior leaders of the host country and attend the Shangri-La Dialogue.

Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun and Singapore Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen review the honor guard on May 30. (Source: Singapore Ministry of Defense)

On May 30, Minister Dong Jun and his host counterpart, Dr. Ng Eng Hen, co-chaired the 3rd Singapore-China Defense Ministers' Dialogue.

According to a press release from the Singapore Ministry of Defense, at the meeting, the two ministers reaffirmed “the positive momentum in the bilateral defense relationship, demonstrated through regular high-level exchanges, military-to-military interactions and growing academic exchanges between defense establishments.”

The two sides also “expressed support for the conduct of the sixth joint military exercise of the two countries and the maritime exercise of the two navies in China this year.” These activities are expected to “help enhance professional cooperation and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries as well as promote mutual trust and understanding.”

The two defense chiefs of China and Singapore also exchanged views on regional and global security issues.

Minister Dong Quan and his counterpart Ng Eng Hen reaffirmed the positive momentum in the bilateral defence relationship. (Source: Singapore Ministry of Defence)

During his visit from May 30 to June 2, Minister Dong is scheduled to meet Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean. He will also visit Changi Naval Base, the Formidable-class destroyer RSS Steadfast and the Singapore Navy Museum.

The Singapore Ministry of Defense also noted that the Singapore Navy's Formidable-class destroyers have conducted multiple exercises with the People's Liberation Army Navy, most recently in 2023.

The head of China's Ministry of National Defense is scheduled to speak at a plenary session titled "China's Approach to Global Security" on June 2 at the Shangri-La Dialogue 2024 security forum.

Defense Minister Dong Jun is scheduled to meet with his U.S. counterpart Lloyd Austin. This will be the first direct dialogue between the defense chiefs of China and the United States in 18 months.

The Singapore Ministry of Defense affirmed that Mr. Dong's visit "highlights the long-standing, warm and friendly bilateral defense relationship between Singapore and China."

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/quan-he-quoc-phong-trung-quoc-singapore-nong-am-va-than-thien-273225.html