Singapore (FN), Feb. 7 – Following the ASEAN Defense Minister (ADMM-Retreat), the Singaporean Defense Ministry continued to hold an ASEAN-China Non-formal Defense Ministers' Meeting on Tuesday evening, held in Rith-Calton Millennia Hotel Singapore.

At the meeting, the ASEAN Defense Ministers all supported the proposal of the Chinese Defense Minister for ASEAN-China joint maritime exercises.

On the occasion, Chinese Defense Minister Gen. Chang Wanquan recalled the five-year cooperation between China and ASEAN for making the region peaceful.

Meanwhile, Singapore Defense Minister Dr. Ng Eng Hen also thanked all ASEAN Defense Ministers who supported China's proposal to conduct joint maritime exercises between ASEAN and China, saying that it would hand over the task to the ASEAN Defense Senior Officials’ Meeting (ADSOM) for an immediate meeting to prepare the exercise in 2018.

During the exchange of view, Cambodia’s Defense Minister Tea Banh said that among ASEAN's dialogue partners, ASEAN-China ties have been very strong and the relation has promoted peace, stability and prosperity, and effective regional development.

Tea Banh also welcomed the initiative of the ASEAN-China maritime exercises that would be the practical cooperation in the implementation of the ASEAN-China Joint Statement.

He added that this practical initiatives will further contribute to the commitment to maintaining regional peace and stability, enhancing maritime security to promote friendship, reducing risks during a random encounter in the air and at sea, and strengthening cooperation among the Navy.

The Cambodian minister also believed that the continuation of the ASEAN-China Defense Forum would provide an important opportunity for interaction, leading to better dialogue and mutual understanding between all ASEAN Member States and China.
=FRESH NEWS