“No coercion” for China to participate in security forums: Singapore Minister of Defense

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China can decide whether to discuss its position in public forums such as the Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD) or “withdraw from its involvement,” Singapore Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen said on June 12.

Ng was answering questions posed by Chinese military personnel. 7th Plenary Session Of SLD in Singapore. The three-day forum serves as a platform for regional defense ministers to exchange views on security issues.

China’s Colonel Zhao Xiaosheng argued that the SLD helped bring together senior officials and scholars to improve communication, but recognizes that the United States and its allies dominate it.

“There is a negative view: a view [that] Shangri-La Dialog as a forum, [is] It is dominated by the United States and its allies and contributes to the interests of the United States and its allies, “said Xiaozhuo, a researcher at the Academy of Military Sciences of the People’s Liberation Army.

“Also, the topics discussed often point to differences rather than cooperation, and differences rather than convergence,” Zhao added. “So my question is, what role has Shangri-La Dialogue played in Asia-Pacific security over the last few years?”

In response, Mr. N mentioned his experience of attending “many conferences” including the Xiangshan Forum in Beijing, stating that attending such events can be a “preference issue”. ..

“I [People’s Liberation Army] Come here, this noisy, a little violent, [that] This is a Western liberal model of many ideas, “Ng said.

“And from now on you are going to get wisdom, and they go back and say it was completely confused. It’s completely understandable.”

“Some people hate participating in” structured “and” over-predictive “forums,” Ng said.

“They feel that when you say things, the end is already set is too scripted, so instead of traveling thousands of miles to get to Singapore. Saying that, sending me something and why can I read it? “He added.

Ng further states: “For China, we have to decide for ourselves whether the Shangri-La dialogue will add value. We will not force you to attend.”

“Is it better to come to an open platform and sometimes expose yourself to tyranny questions and what might seem to be a general view from others to explain yourself? , Will you withdraw from that engagement? That is something China has to decide for itself. “

China Defense Minister Wei Fenghe I gave a speech At the SLD on June 12, he asked the United States to “stop polluting and containing China.”

Wei said Sino-US relations could only improve if Washington stopped interfering with China’s internal affairs.

At the Shangri-La dialogue on June 11, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin continued to commit Washington to its “One China” policy, but still provided Taiwan with the necessary capabilities to maintain defense. Said to provide.

“And that means maintaining our own ability to resist the use of forces and other forms of coercion that endanger the safety and social or economic systems of Taiwanese people,” Austin said. Said.

He further points out that Beijing’s recent military exercises near Taiwan could destabilize the Indo-Pacific region, and maintaining peace and security throughout the Taiwan Strait is a global issue as well as US interests. Emphasized that.

Aldograph Redley

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Aldgra Fredly is a Malaysia-based freelance writer featuring the Epoch Times Asia Pacific News.

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