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  • 2 years ago
Ng Eng Hen, Singapore Defence Minister spoke to CGTN Europe from Munich Security Conference on global security risks.
Transcript
00:00 I'm not sure that our systems can withstand instability in Europe, Middle East and Asia.
00:09 So my message has been quite simple.
00:12 You don't need a conflict in Asia.
00:14 You mustn't have a conflict in Asia, whatever the reasons.
00:17 You said at the Xi'an Trans Forum and quoting, "What has happened in Europe and the Middle
00:22 East must not happen here.
00:25 And we must do all we can to avoid this."
00:27 Can you further elaborate on that?
00:29 Everybody understands that if you have a conflict in Asia, you blight our futures.
00:38 You don't need one, whatever the reasons.
00:44 Ukraine was a vivid example of what happens to plans when you do have a conflict.
00:52 And I think for Asia, that's the same lesson.
00:55 We've had relative good prosperity, including with the rise of China over the last two or
01:01 three decades, where ASEAN and Asian economies as a whole have been lifted.
01:05 I mean, if you look at the figures, they tell the story.
01:09 Hundreds of millions lifted out of poverty, GDP growing, countries enjoying wealth across
01:18 the mass of their populations.
01:21 All that could end if there's any conflict in Asia.
01:24 And how do you see the U.S. pivot to Asia?
01:26 And do you think AUKUS can be conducive to the original security in Asia?
01:32 As long as there is the willingness to build a shared understanding, a shared destiny,
01:44 and for mutual benefits as the basis for multilateralism, then I think you can live with different configurations.
01:54 And I see no reason why newly formed groups can't fit into that.
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