Rules-based system of international relations must adapt to changing global realities, says Ng Eng Hen

SINGAPORE — Defence Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen today (May 31) said that the rules based system of international relations must adapt to changing realities of the global order, if there is to be stability and peace in our region.

Speaking at the closing plenary session of the Shangri-La Dialogue, Dr Ng noted that the current international order is in a flux, in part due to the growing economic weight of Asian countries such as China and India. As such, it was important for all parties to work together to provide clarity on principles and practices that maintain regional stability and restore confidence among parties.

“This will require new consensus that takes into account the realities of the 21st century, while ensuring that principles such as sovereignty, respect for international law and peaceful settlement of disputes that protect the global commons remain at the core of the global order in this century,” said Dr Ng.

The ASEAN-China code of conduct on the South China Sea, which is currently being negotiated will be a “positive example” of such consensus, he added.

China’s disputed reclamation actions in the South China Sea has been a hot topic throughout the dialogue, with the United States and others expressing concern about China’s creation of new territories and curtailing freedom of navigation while the latter continues to assert its indisputable sovereignty over the islands.