BEIJING – On September 12, Singapore’s Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen met with General Zhang Youxia, China’s top military official, in Beijing to strengthen bilateral defense relations and explore further practical cooperation. The meeting marks Dr. Ng’s first direct interaction with Gen Zhang, a key figure in China’s Central Military Commission and a trusted ally of President Xi Jinping.
Gen Zhang, 74, known for his combat experience from the 1979 Sino-Vietnamese War, recently renewed his term on the Communist Party’s Politburo, defying the unofficial retirement age. During their discussions, both leaders emphasized the enduring, cordial defense relationship between Singapore and China, focusing on leadership interactions, practical cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges.
The conversation also covered global and regional security issues, underlining the importance of dialogue for maintaining peace and security in the region. Gen Zhang expressed a desire for continued high-level military engagement, including joint exercises and training.
In addition to the meeting at the Bayi Building, Dr. Ng visited the People’s Liberation Army National Defence University to engage with senior military and provincial officials on topics like geopolitical developments and US-China relations.
Earlier this month, Singapore and China conducted a bilateral naval exercise, Maritime Cooperation, in Zhanjiang, Guangdong province. Dr. Ng is set to address the Xiangshan Forum’s plenary session on September 13, where key issues such as US-China relations, South China Sea disputes, and the Ukraine conflict are on the agenda. The forum, akin to Singapore’s Shangri-La Dialogue, attracts over 500 participants from around the world.