World at danger point; outcome depends on US, China leadership: Ng Eng Hen

THE world is “at a pivotal, dangerous inflexion in our shared futures”, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen told a security conference in Estonia on Sunday (May 15).

Speaking on the rivalry between the United States and China, which he called “the most significant event of our lifetimes”, Dr Ng said that the collective well-being depends on American and Chinese leaders’ ability “to rise above domestic concerns” and boost the global system.

He said that the challenge for leadership in both countries will be whether they can “forge a stronger, more sustainable and equitable global system” through statesmanship, although he added that he did not believe in the certainty of such a “hopeful outcome”.

In addressing the fallout from Russia’s invasion of its neighbour Ukraine in February, the minister had turned to “our answer to the question on China” and China’s view on the issue.

He argued that China has benefited from the past 7 decades of globalisation and integrated into the international system, and now “is seeking greater actualisation”.

Characterising China’s stance as one where “Asian countries should be left alone to solve their own problems and to create their own systems”, he added: “In that context, sotto voce, China as Asia’s largest economic and military power would take a leading role.”

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Still, China, which has a world impact “much larger than Russia’s”, also reiterated its fundamental support for sovereignty and territorial integrity in the wake of the invasion, Dr Ng noted.

Meanwhile, the minister commented that the risk of a decoupling between the US and China – the world’s 2 biggest economies – “was already there” before the Russian invasion.

“A bifurcated global system based on alliances with the US or China and Russia will have disastrous consequences for all of us,” he said, in opening remarks at main plenary session that were later provided by the Ministry of Defence to local media. “We are too connected, and such a choice, if it had to be made, will impoverish countries and imperil global security.”

Dr Ng also reiterated Singapore’s position on the invasion of Ukraine – that is, its commitment to sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity, which he dubbed “a fundamental bedrock for a free and stable world order, and smaller countries’ right to survive and thrive”.

He was speaking in Tallinn at the Lennart Meri Conference, which is organised by the International Centre for Defence and Security, an Estonian think-tank. Topics on the table included the conflict in Ukraine, trans-Atlantic relations, climate change, artificial intelligence, hybrid warfare and arms control.

The minister then travelled to Riga, Latvia, where he will be visiting until May 17.