US should ‘stay very far away’ from physically confronting China over Taiwan: Singapore Defence Minister – Ng Eng Hen 新加坡國防部長: 美國應該“遠離”在台灣問題上與中國進行對抗
Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen (right) speaking with moderator Professor Joseph Samuel Nye Jr at the 12th Aspen Security Forum in Washington DC on Nov 4, 2021.
SINGAPORE: The United States should “stay very far away” from engaging in physical confrontation with China over Taiwan, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said, adding that “miscalculations can occur”.
Dr Ng made those comments following his keynote speech on Singapore’s perspectives on US and China at the 12th Aspen Security Forum in Washington DC on Thursday (Nov 4).
The forum is an annual security and foreign policy conference involving leaders and key players in the defence community.
The session with Dr Ng was moderated by Aspen Strategy Group co-chair Professor Joseph Samuel Nye Jr, who had asked if the minister was concerned about how the US was “handling the Taiwan question”.
“Taiwan goes to the heart of the political legitimacy of the leader, of the party and it’s a deep red line. I can think of no scenario (in) which there are winners if there is actual physical confrontation over Taiwan,” Dr Ng said.
“So, I would advise us to stay very far away from that.”
“ALL SIDES LOSE”
Speaking to reporters after his speech on Thursday, Dr Ng reiterated that “all sides lose” if there is physical confrontation over Taiwan.
“Not only US and China. Southeast Asia will be in turmoil, I think the rest of the world too,” he said.
Beyond the issue of Taiwan, Dr Ng said the US’ current “preoccupation with China is at a heightened level” not seen in his decade as defence minister.
The US sees China’s progress as a rising power and feels the need to reinvigorate its economy, Dr Ng said.
“I think that’s that’s wonderful, how America needs to compete in science and technology, in infrastructure, in economic leadership,” he said.
Dr Ng said in his keynote speech that Singapore and other Southeast Asian nations have benefited from the influence of both the US and China, highlighting how the US has provided a stabilising security presence while China has powered Asia’s economic growth.
“So to Singapore and the ASEAN countries, my Prime Minister has said none of the countries want to choose (between US and China),” he said.
“Why should I choose? Both have benefitted me and there is a strategic rivalry. Can this strategic rivalry continue with me continuing to still benefit from both countries?”
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/taiwan-china-us-tension-ng-eng-hen-2290256
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