Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen to head to China to visit joint Asean-China maritime exercise, attend Beijing forum

Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen's visit reflects Singapore's support for China's regional engagement efforts and the warm and friendly bilateral defence relationship between both countries. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM

Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen will begin a China trip on Monday (Oct 22) that will see him visiting a joint maritime exercise between China and Asean in the southern city of Zhanjiang and attending a forum in Beijing.

Dr Ng's visit, taking place from Monday to Friday, reflects Singapore's support for China's regional engagement efforts and the warm and friendly bilateral defence relationship between both countries, the Ministry of Defence said in a press statement on Sunday.

On Tuesday, Dr Ng will visit the Asean-China Maritime Exercise in Zhanjiang. Running from Monday to Saturday, the exercise is co-organised by the Republic of Singapore Navy and the People's Liberation Army Navy, with participation from all nine other Asean countries and more than 1,000 personnel.

After Zhanjiang, Dr Ng will proceed to Beijing to attend the 8th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, where he will speak at the first plenary session on the topic "International Security Governance: New Ideas and Approaches" on Thursday.

Co-organised by the People's Liberation Army Academy of Military Science and the China Institute for International Strategic Studies, the annual Beijing Xiangshan Forum brings together high-level defence, military and foreign affairs leaders from around the world to discuss a range of security issues.

Dr Ng will also have bilateral engagements with Chinese leaders in Beijing, including Vice-Chairman of the Central Military Commission Xu Qiliang, and State Councillor and Minister of National Defence Wei Fenghe.

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