China, Singapore agree to work on secure phone link for ‘high-level’ military communications
- Two nations sign memorandum of understanding during meeting between defence chiefs
- General Li Shangfu is making his first visit to the country and will attend the Shangri-La Dialogue
It marks the latest development since the nations upgraded defence and security ties in 2019, and comes a month after they held joint military exercises.
“Under the MOU, both defence establishments will work towards establishing a secure defence telephone link for high-level communications between our defence leaders,” Singapore’s defence ministry said in a statement.
“Such high-level open lines of communication are important for strengthening mutual understanding and trust.”
The defence ministers’ dialogue is an initiative under the enhanced Agreement on Defence Exchanges and Security Cooperation the two countries signed in 2019 to deepen military ties.
At the end of April, China and Singapore held their first joint military drills since 2021, with the Chinese navy reportedly sending a missile-bearing frigate and minesweeping ship to take part.
“[Li’s] visit underscores the long-standing, warm and friendly bilateral defence relations between Singapore and China,” Singapore’s defence ministry said.
“Both defence establishments interact regularly through bilateral and multilateral exercises, high-level visits, professional exchanges, port calls, as well as the cross-attendance of courses and seminars.”
Li has been under US sanctions since 2018 for his alleged role in the transfer of Su-35 fighter jets and S-400 air defence missile systems to China from Russia.
China has stepped up its military and security cooperation with countries in the Asia-Pacific region in the past year, as it vies for influence with the US.
State news agency Xinhua on Wednesday said the People’s Liberation Army would send two ships to join the Komodo multinational joint maritime exercise later this month at the invitation of the Indonesian navy.
