Source: CHANNELNEWSASIA
Singapore’s Defence Minister Ng Eng
Hen has urged the US to show what he calls “clear and consistent
signals” that it intends to remain fully engaged in the Asia-Pacific
region.
Dr Ng was speaking at the end of his visit to
Washington, where he signed an enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement
with US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter.
Dr Ng’s day began on Capitol Hill, where he held meetings with members of the Congressional Singapore Caucus.
There, and throughout this visit, his message was that continued American presence in the region is essential for regional stability. It was the central theme of his speech at the Centre of New American Security.
Dr Ng said: “The US must continue to provide clear and consistent signals and commit physically to remain engaged in this region … The US' resolve to continue its role as a dominant and stable force for the Pacific region is critical.”
Earlier this week, Dr Ng and Mr Carter signed an enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement that builds on previous agreements between the two countries.
And for the first time, the US has sent its P-8 Poseidon surveillance aircraft on rotational deployment to Singapore. The US Navy has already used it in overflights above disputed territories claimed by Beijing in the South China Seas.
Dr Ng told his American hosts those disputes have no quick solution. “Some things will take time but we need to take it in perspective. I certainly don’t think that any country wants to come to blows over the issues of the South China Sea, or we need not to. But I think we need to deal with it firmly, with clarity, with a clear sense of what is right and wrong and how we should solve these disputes.”
Dr Ng also urged members of the US Congress to pass the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), saying that he “shudders to think” what will happen to US standing in the Asia-Pacific if it fails to secure approval on Capitol Hill. He said that despite its economic nature, the trade deal also has vital security ramifications.
From Washington, Dr Ng will leave for Arizona where Singapore’s armed forces are training alongside their American counterparts in Exercise Forging Saber.
Dr Ng said the exercise is one example of a thriving US-Singapore relationship, and sends a message to the rest of the region that Washington remains a vital player in Asia-Pacific stability.
Dr Ng’s day began on Capitol Hill, where he held meetings with members of the Congressional Singapore Caucus.
There, and throughout this visit, his message was that continued American presence in the region is essential for regional stability. It was the central theme of his speech at the Centre of New American Security.
Dr Ng said: “The US must continue to provide clear and consistent signals and commit physically to remain engaged in this region … The US' resolve to continue its role as a dominant and stable force for the Pacific region is critical.”
Earlier this week, Dr Ng and Mr Carter signed an enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement that builds on previous agreements between the two countries.
And for the first time, the US has sent its P-8 Poseidon surveillance aircraft on rotational deployment to Singapore. The US Navy has already used it in overflights above disputed territories claimed by Beijing in the South China Seas.
Dr Ng told his American hosts those disputes have no quick solution. “Some things will take time but we need to take it in perspective. I certainly don’t think that any country wants to come to blows over the issues of the South China Sea, or we need not to. But I think we need to deal with it firmly, with clarity, with a clear sense of what is right and wrong and how we should solve these disputes.”
Dr Ng also urged members of the US Congress to pass the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), saying that he “shudders to think” what will happen to US standing in the Asia-Pacific if it fails to secure approval on Capitol Hill. He said that despite its economic nature, the trade deal also has vital security ramifications.
From Washington, Dr Ng will leave for Arizona where Singapore’s armed forces are training alongside their American counterparts in Exercise Forging Saber.
Dr Ng said the exercise is one example of a thriving US-Singapore relationship, and sends a message to the rest of the region that Washington remains a vital player in Asia-Pacific stability.
No comments:
Post a Comment