Singapore asks China to take lead in curbing regional unease

Ng Eng Hen. Pic/X

Singapore's defence minister urged China as a dominant power in Asia to take the lead in reducing tensions in the region, warning that a military conflict like the one in Ukraine or the Israel-Hamas war would be devastating for the continent and its future.

Speaking Tuesday on the third and final day of an annual defense conference held by China, Ng Eng Hen stressed the importance of military-to-military communication to manage crises, expressing hope that the US and China would resume the use of their military hotline.

Peace is precarious and never a given anywhere in the world, Ng said. "What has happened in Europe and the Middle East must never occur here. ... We must do all we can to avoid it."

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The Xiangshan Forum brought together defense officials from dozens of countries and organizations. China, which recently sacked its defense minister, was represented by Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission.

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