A Conversation with the Minister of Defense of Singapore on the Asia-Pacific

[@fajarliong]

Singapore meritocracy brings top quality leaders. Their words is full of wisdom, from the PM, Defence minister, former diplomat Kishore M., former FM George Yeo. All of them champion peace, pragmatism and logic. Their knowledge is certainly above most diplomat especially who claim to be "China expert", they know history well, know culture well, and very strong EQ. If the world has more quality leaders like we do, world would be so much more peaceful.

[@malita354]

Is there a LKY? How about Goh Keng Swee? Taxi! Taxi!!

[@malita354]

Ya, sg pure meritocracy. Leadership is not passed down from family members

[@mcgaretse77]

except that Bilai guy

[@medialcanthus9681]

@@malita354 yes. Correct. GOH chok tong is not the father of Lee hsien loong.

[@tinatang1]

ASEAN has seen what the US has done in the Middle East and we don't want that sort of interference in our region!

[@josephshen1806]

Great! Pay for your OWN defense then, or surrender to the CCP control. 😜🤪😜

[@tinatang1]

@@josephshen1806 We don't need to fear the CPC, only the USA, the most aggressive country in the world.

[@josephshen1806]

@@tinatang1 You are either misinformed or ignoring the fact that CCP/PLA’s aggression in South China Sea and the economic and military invasion of the smaller poorer countries from around the world. It’s nuclear ambitions are beyond control, not to mention the organ harvesting, the human right abuses of the minorities in Western China, etc., and etc., Are you ignoring these facts?!?

[@JonROlsen]

@@tinatang1 I'd say, The most muderous also.

[@NJIT22]

@@tinatang1 also supporting the most intolerant dictatorships in the world. Hell band on land grab from Central Asia and some hot heads wants to challenge Russia for Vladivostok

[@greatasia606]

This Singapore minister is using his knowledge of China and the world in the 20th century to explain 21st century and what the future will look like.

[@raymondho3574]

Deep Red Line is an appropriate response to the Taiwan question. Indeed there can be no winners.

[@中天新聞CtiNews]

Hi,Mr./Ms. This is CTI TV KZbin channel.We are writing to ask for authorization to use this video，we will do moderate editing then upload it on KZbin,but we will still faithfully present the content of the work,and specify the source. Thank you for your time.

[@justinlee9789]

头条开讲用的吗？

[@malita354]

I must say sg is great. This is not out of duress or fear

[@0157matt]

In today's context , China has shown the world how Chinese goods have helped not only USA but rest of world to improve living standards , hence China prosper and recently China has shown world how China has improved life of ordinary Chinese and show that communism has helped improve the Chinese society. China should be respected for what they have done to eradicate poverty ..the west should recognise this and note that China's way though Communist is a good way .

[@CJ-Fortes_Atque_Fidelis]

You are confusing Communism (proven failure) and Communist Party rule in China which has a market economy. Communism is an economic system, under the tyranny of Mao 70 million people died.

[@0157matt]

It's the quality of leadership that matters too no matter which system....

[@CJ-Fortes_Atque_Fidelis]

@@0157matt Of course, quality matters. But, please don't glorify communism for what it is not.

[@max3334441]

China has shown the world how badly run labs can leak dangerous virus and how covering up of information lead to late action and World suffering for last 2 years 😂😂😂

[@CJ-Fortes_Atque_Fidelis]

@@max3334441 your make-believe narrative is not only without evidence but it exemplifies the typical bigoted misinformed baseless accusations the West is spewing. More people died in the US from both Covid and ignorance than anywhere else in the world. Go figure that out.

[@DrJoePeters]

I must say that Minister Ng is most able to represent Mr. Lee Kuan Yew in a conversation that is as difficult and sensitive as this. My Best Wishes.

[@中華傲訣]

Speaking good English and having charisma is very important in first impression in front of guests.

[@steventan2550]

LKY wanted US presence in the Asia Pacific to maintain stability, not to create instability in order to sell weapons.

[@samliew6610]

Absolutely

[@samliew6610]

And not to use ASEAN as pawn to counter any country.

[@zhangmw4931]

All of us needs to realise there is a shift in global paradigm. US presence is significant in APAC yet the rise of China cannot be ignored that shared responsibilities of peace and prosperity are equally vital for region to grow. APAC or Asean cannot afford to step back from growth at the expense of engaging in any military conflict.

[@paulwww8]

Sorry, America has Under Estimated China ALL the TIME ! China Can Not be Stop for her Invention and Development Abilities.... !!

[@ongernie7216]

A trained medical doctor telling you history.

[@henryhong5256]

Very accurate history by Mr Ng. This is the man I will salute if I happen to see him.

[@2hwang213]

Reading comment of woo23woo, I think people from different countries of this region have different interpretation of China - Taiwan tension. Most countries if not all think Taiwan is part of China, except certain people in Taiwan think they are different and not part of China. This view is more wide spreaded now as the US is increasingly supporting Taiwan's independent movement. Taiwan should not think they have the world behind them, it will be a big mistake.

[@thatkoalabear]

Thank you always America for what you have done for ASEAN and continue to do with security, leadership, FDI and more. We love you and agree with what Dr. Ng has said. He’s also an amazing leader whom I’ve met once in exercise wallaby. The United States 🇺🇸 is capable of so much more than she knows it and I believe that too ❤️🙏🏻

[@JonROlsen]

The US backed Suharto's purge.

[@zhenminliu]

Wow, Mr Ng speaks so well and so intelligently. He does Singapore proud. Unfortunately, the 4G leaders Lawrence Wong, Ong Ye Kung and Chan Chun Sing all speak rather poorly compared to the standard of Lee Hsien Loong, Tharman, Teo Chee Hean or Ng Eng Hen.

[@malita354]

Stop sucking up will you? But i agree 🤣

[@nilnil8072]

Agree.. and I am really puzzled why when the education system of the new leadership is “better” than older times ? What does this say of local education ?

[@malita354]

@@nilnil8072 Last time, when police wore khakis, there were only about 1 grad from law school from cambridge out of the population. The rest were just peasants and coolies . Now time, leaders are merely graduates. The knowledge they graduated with is commonly found on the internet and in commoners all over the streets of the country. You catch my drift? How about this: there is no more LKY in sg. No more Goh Keng Swee in sg. Need more clues?

[@milexiangyangli5666]

Speaking - with - (Less) - of - The - (Accent / Diction / Enunciation / Lilt) - with - (Colonialist Tint) - Just - (Mean) - (Singapore) - Has - (Come) - of - (Age) - 🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯 - & - (Extremely) - (Comfortable) - in - (Its) - (Own) - (Skin) - 🤚🤚🤚🤚🤚 - Speaking - with - (Dictated) - (Accent) - of - (Western World) - Just - Mean - (Singaporean) - is - (Ashamed) - of - (Their) - (Own) - (Style / Standard) - of - (Oration) - 🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯 - (Americans) - in - (Singapore) - Or - (Vietnam) - Or - (Japan) - etc etc - (Always) - (Speak) - with - (American) - (Accent / Tenor) - 🤚🤚🤚🤚🤚 - (The Same) - Could Be - Said - of - (The British) - 🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯 - (The Same) - Applies - For - (French / Spanish / Indians) - 🤚🤚🤚🤚🤚 - (Singapore) - & - (Singaporeans) - Should Be - (Proud) - of - Their - (Accent / Intonation / Tenor / Enunciation / Diction / Lilt) - 🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯 - That - is - What - (Distinguish) - (English - Speaking) - (Singaporean) - From - (Americans / British / Australians / New Zealanders / Indians / South Africans / Hongkongers) - 🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯 - Only - Those - with - (Lack) - of - (Self - Esteem / Confidence) - & - (Filled) - with - (A) - (Sense) - of - (Shame) - (Being) - & - (Speaking) - Like - (Singaporean) - Would - Feel - They - Need - (To Pander) - To - (White - Anglo - Saxon) - (Tone / Tenor / Diction / Lilt / Enunciation) - 🤚🤚🤚🤚🤚 - Those - (People) - Have - (Either) - 1) Inferiority Complex - 2) Insecurity Complex - 🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯 - And - (Not) - (Bona Fide) - 🤚🤚🤚🤚🤚 - (Speaking) - with - (Fake - Accent) - 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄 - Just - Be - (Yourself) - 🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯 - (The Point) - of - (Language) - is - (Communication) - 🤚🤚🤚🤚🤚 - (Regardless) - of - (The Accent) - 🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯 - (Accent) - is - (Just) - (Form) - 🤚🤚🤚🤚🤚 - What - is - (More) - (Important) - is - The - (Substance) - 🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯 -

[@milexiangyangli5666]

(Australians) - Have - (A) - (Yokel) - (Accent) - 🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯 - But - They - Still - (Use) - It - 🤚🤚🤚🤚🤚 - (Instead) - of - (Trying) - (To Impersonate) - (American / Canadian / British) - (Accent) - On - (World Stage) - 🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯 - (Yokel) - Means - (Village People) - Or - (Country Bumpkin) - Or - (Hillbilly) - 🤚🤚🤚🤚🤚 - Just - in - Case - You - Don't Know - What - That - is - 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄 - Just - Be - (Yourself) - 🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯 - Be - (Real) - 🤚🤚🤚🤚🤚 - (Not) - (Fake) - 🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯 -

[@ZephCloud]

So as long as there's economic gains...everything else doesn't matter??

[@fajarliong]

In real world, majority of the people would first need their stomach filled, then pocket filled. 70 to 80% people are apolitical, have no interest at all even to know about it. Less than 1% are the politicians who make the decision, people who are interested in politic maybe only 20% have good knowledge, where majority are brainwashed bunches. There are just too much that commoners would not know, there are something called "classified". When people vote they do not even what they vote for. Real example: no one in UK knew what Brexit was when they voted. Even the ones on top knew only 10% of it. It was only negotiated after the vote is over. So what to be proud of if someone votes.

[@ongernie7216]

The country nuture him to be a medical doctor. But he abandon the chance given to him. To waste a chance to help the sick people. If he is so undecided, can he be good in what he is doing.

[@chhayseum2189]

Only things for SG but not for all Southeast Asia members, SG monopoly model like Lee model in history

[@Woopy11]

Sir. Would you consider Giving up some or if not sharing your land space with Motorsports enthusiasts. The land used for military exercises, it’s vast, could also be used for social and community development perhaps?

[@kelvinkj7074]

19:00

[@MsOpineminded]

I think its important to realise that the education landscape is changing in China. Particularly with the slow down in population, China will now be drawing from the world. Already we see British, Pakistanis, Africans, people from many parts of the world entering universities in China and many studying for free. Things are starting to shift. Particularly recently with the xenephobic attitudes of the US in the Trump years, China will start to provide education as a soft power (at least in STEM) for many parts of the developing world. Ng Eng Han needs to stop pandering to American wishful thinking. Even in terms of R&D and technology patents, China is in the lead. This is what does Americans NO service.

[@malita354]

Why should we choose? As long as not forced to choose, we should be ok to have the cake and eat it. I think both china and usa will have a hard time when all countries do not want to choose sides. Hahahaha! As its said, all countries benefitted from both usa and china. Why would they wanna choose and be constrained in having Both Cakes and Eating both cakes? Hahahaha! I dont think usa or china can Force the small states to cow to them right?🤣🤣🤣🤣 The only sad thing is sg no longer has LKY and Goh Keng Swee. I wonder will sg ever have someone greater than them? 😔

[@ongernie7216]

Waste time and money. This is what they are good for. Paid highly to do that.

[@liubang9375]

US should stay away from Asia militarily and concentrate on trade only because the American is creating more tension in the region rather than stability ..

[@josephshen1806]

Haha, what a ridiculous notion! CCP invaded China, and killed tens of millions. Now CCP is invading the South China Sea and soon Taiwan. CCP was incapacitated since 1949 due to its ineffective economic socialist system. Now they adopted the state sponsored oligarchy on the back of hard working Chinese people to enrich themselves and to develop their own army and weapons of mass destruction to threaten their neighbors, India, Japan, Australia, ACEAN nations, Singapore included. They will enable North Korea to invade South Korea again, giving the North Korea dictator to nuclear weapons to do so! So, we don’t need you to lecture us, you CCP propagandist and troll 😈

[@liubang9375]

@@josephshen1806 hey farm boy you are disconnected with the real world for too long ..US incompetence government were spreading propaganda news around about China , therefore we not surprised by your ignorance comment.

[@liubang9375]

@@josephshen1806 Don't be surprised nobody will stand on US side when the real conflict between US and China started ....Singapore and South Korea will stay neutral fearing of offending the Chinese, Japan will ditch US in the last minute fearing they will be targeted by Chinese missile , India will go hiding when war started because the Indian can't fight ..As for Australia too small and weak a country to contribute much support to US ....Therefore dude please stay tune and watch how CCP having some fun with the Democrats and Republican ...

[@josephshen1806]

@@liubang9375 You commie troll! Just opposite is happening in the world. CCP is isolated. Yeah, we are soooooo scared of your missiles… 😂😂😂😂😂😂👎👎👎👎🤪🤪🤪🤪

[@liubang9375]

@@josephshen1806 Farm boy you don't even have a proper 4G WiFi connection, therefore where does you get the news from ?? You are pathetic guy dude living in world of 40 years ago...I really feel sorry for you...

[@cheekhoonchan1627]

Dr Ng presumably realises that basing facilities in Singapore for US military aircraft and naval vessels become prime targets for Chinese (nuclear?) missile strikes if a conflict ever breaks out between US and China. As a Malaysian, I'm nervous, if he's not. Time to emulate New Zealand for a serious Asean Nuclear Weapon Free Zone... opposition political leaders and commentators in Singapore don't seem to pay this much attention either (Kishore Mahbubani a notable exception)

[@milexiangyangli5666]

(You) - Are - (Afraid) - Because - (You) - (Just) - (Don't Understand) - (The Dynamics) - with - 1) SGP - US - Relation - & - 2) SGP - CHINA - Relation - 🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯 - (Once) - (You) - Are - Able - (To Comprehend) - That - (Then) - Being - (Afraid) - is - (Just) - (Much - Ado - About - Nothing) - 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 - Not - (Everything) - (Professor) - Kishore Mahbubani - Said - is - (On) - (Point) - 🤚🤚🤚🤚🤚 - (Most) - Are - (Based) - On - (His) - (Experience / Opinion) - Dealing - with - (USA) - in - The - (1990s) - 🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯 - His - (Experience) - with - (China) - is - (Not) - (Deep / Extensive / Comprehensive) - 🤚🤚🤚🤚🤚 - Take It - with - (A) - (Pinch) - of - (Salt) - & - (Make) - (Your) - (Own) - (Deduction / Deliberation / Evaluation) - 🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯 - Besides - (There) - is - (No) - (US) - (Base) - in - (Singapore) - 🤚🤚🤚🤚🤚 - Whenever - They - Are - in - (The East) - They - (Stop - Over) - For - (Refueling) - & - (Coffee) - 🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯 - (The Same) - (Bases) - Are - Also - (Used) - By - 1) Thailand - 2) Indonesia - 3) Brunei - 4) Myanmar - 5) India - 6) Australia - 7) Japan - 8) South Korea - 9) China - 10) Britain - 11) New Zealand - 12) France - 13) Netherlands - 14) Russia - etc etc - 🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯 - Its - For - All - (Friendly - Nations) - 🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂 - Like - I've - Said - (Much - Ado - Over - Nothing) - 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄 -

[@milexiangyangli5666]

Why - Do - (Malaysian) - (Malay / Chinese / Indian) - (Particularly) - From - (Peninsula West Malaysia) - Love - To - (Infate / Exaggerate) - (Facts) - Like - (What) - (Mahathir Mohamed) - Love - To Do ? - 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄 - (Malaysians) - From - (East Malaysia) - (Sabah / Sarawak) - (States) - Are - (Better) - (Malaysians) - & - (Neighbors) - 🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯 - Than - Those - From - (Peninsula West Malaysia) - 🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮 - Thank God - The - (Prime Ministers) - That - Came - After - (Mahathir Mohamed) - Are - (More) - (Level - Headed) - & - (Rational / Logical / Pragmatic / Practical) - 🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯 - Otherwise - (Bi - Lateral - Tension) - From - (Egotistic) - (Mahathir) - Would - (Persists) - 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄 - (Quit) - (Making) - (A) - (Mountain) - (Out) - of - (A) - (Molehill) - 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬 - (Hyping - Up) - (Non - Existent) - (Issue) - is - )The Cause) - of - (Hatred / Disgust) - of - (Singaporeans) - Towards - (Malaysians) - 🤚🤚🤚🤚🤚 - (Regardless) - of - (Race / Creed / Class) - 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄 -

[@raymondho3574]

Very incisive views by the SG Defense Minister. On his point quoting LKY‘s words on the American diversity and global leverage as its ultimate advantage, there is great danger in a lack of appreciation for this true American exceptionalism by both USA and China leading both powers to miscalculations - an USA that chooses for higher risk, direct confrontations and a China that under-esttimates USA source of energy and power. Biden spoke of “Power of our examples, not examples of our power” at his inauguration. If he can truly inspire China with these wise words, the world would be all better for them. Just look at how China receives Merkel vs other G7 leaders.

[@ZephCloud]

😑

[@justdawn9636]

Let’s go Brandon

[@marleylupez9632]

OMGGGG, you are so beautiful 🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@qingzhou9983]

I respects Lee tremendously, one of the smartest Stateman. However I disagree with his question: Will industrialized China treat Asia as nice as US to Asia? For how smart Lee was, he must know this is an incorrect question, but favoring Singapore. The right question is Whether a Powerful China will treat Asia better than US treats Caribbean and Latin America? My guess is Yes, but not Much. Here is the danger to All Asian Countries. Australia is setting an example and hopeful Singapore will be a different example.

[@raymondho3574]

I suspect that LKY’s true intention behind the question was simply to remind China of its rising political power and of its impact to geopolitical balance depending on how it chooses to behave. It was a rhetorical question to which he likely has his own answer already.

[@cavendishmontigue3254]

Do bear in mind that CCP was exporting communism to most part of Asia 40 years ago . The region will not fully trust China as the single power in the region .

[@qingzhou9983]

@@cavendishmontigue3254 How about US in Korea War, Vietnam War, Afgan War, Iraq War, Syrian War etc. How do these countries and their neighbors trust US?

[@HTeo-og1lg]

@@cavendishmontigue3254. You are citing the CCP of 40 years ago. If you haven't realise how hypocritical is that assertion of yours, then I must say you are too dumb for anyone to enlighten you. Remember, 40 years ago, there were still the existence of some colonies of European countries. And 40 years ago, many African countries were still not independent. Comparing China of today to China of 40 years ago, would be the same mistake.

[@ZephCloud]

Ccp has never governs taiwan...soo...what legitimacy?

[@yaoypl]

Taiwan is a part of China, written in the ROC constitution.

[@gohseng1733]

What legitimacy u talking? Taiwan is a province of China and must reunite back with motherland China. No country even any states in USA allow to break away and become independent country.

[@ZephCloud]

Yes it’s still in the roc constitution…but don’t think roc can get mainland and all the Qings territories back now and prc won’t be able to get Taiwan in as part of them..why not just let it be 2 countries?!?

[@gohseng1733]

@@ZephCloud Stupid views and comments. No country even any states in USA allow breakaway and become independent country. Taiwan is a province of China and currently govern by renegard DPP Govt. DPP want to breakaway Taiwan from reunification with motherland China. Her master warmonger USA is supporting her.

[@milexiangyangli5666]

USA - Has - Never - Govern - (Iraq / Afghanistan / Japan / Syria / Philipines / Hawaii / Puerto Rico / Guam / American Samoa / US Virgin Island) - too - 🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯 - But - That - Did Not - Stop It - From - (Legitimizing) - Its - (Invasion / Occupation / Annexation) - of - 1) Hawaii - 2) Philipines - 3) Guam - 4) Puerto Rico - 5) American Samoa - 6) US Virgin Island - etc etc - 🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯 - in - The - (1880s / 1890s) - 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄 -

[@WOO23WOO]

Will he say the same thing if Indonesia or Malaysia send their aircraft to harass Sg like what china did to Taiwan?

[@samhe888]

Fyi. If you have done some Google search, the last major Singapore Malaysia border dispute was just 3yrs ago n de-escalated after 6 months of negotiations.

[@maxdc988]

What's the problem if China send jets to hover over their own territory? Further the zone was not recognized by international law. DPP and their supporters do not have the right to decide the fate of Taiwan, period.

[@WOO23WOO]

@@samhe888 Your comment reminds me of a movie, Law Abiding Citizen. Your theory can only apply to the party is negotiable. Do you think China can be negotiated?

[@yewchinlaw8379]

Singapore is a sovereign state, while Taiwan's status is not recognised by most of UN. Situations between the 2 are very different.

[@samhe888]

@@WOO23WOOYou can negotiate with anyone if know your work but of course don't be too naive. And suggest you watch less of movie fiction. It doesn't always apply in the real world.

[@WOO23WOO]

Ng commented on Taiwan issues with China and asked the US to stay far, far away from China; let me think of the quote “it's none of your business” in Sg, in one of a famous movie, “I'm not stupid”. He means that the world shall continue to let China bully; “please don't confront China, later he will be angry”, disaster happens. It's pathetic he is a defence minister. I strongly suspect he will be not in defence of Sg if happened that China invades Sg. The culture of absolute obedience has built up in Sg, the scared of confrontation with a bully, even its unfair, injustice.

[@samhe888]

You are so gullible. US knew very well historically that military action to protect a non-US territory will fail badly

[@maxdc988]

US sent their warships to the other side of the world. Taiwan is next to China, literally a stone throw away. So, who bully who? Go check your brain.

[@WOO23WOO]

@@samhe888 Are you telling the world we should please bully and do nothing? Then SG should save up its money spent on the military and use it on other development; Sg will be even more prosperous. Btw, I know that Britain managed to defend itself from German invasion until the participation of the US in ww2 and won the war. I don't like war, but when you are being bullied, the party want you to agree with them, confrontation is unavoidable. When you get a tumour, you either kill them or you are killed. Simple as that.

[@roninskylines]

that is your perspective and the propaganda that some countries wanted to push. how were other countries actually bullied by china?

[@WOO23WOO]

@@roninskylines Here is the proof. You may google yourself if you want more www.economist.com/asia/2021/02/27/asian-countries-are-learning-to-cope-with-chinese-bullying

[@WOO23WOO]

If Sg doesn't help or doesn't want to be involved in the Taiwan issue or the South China Sea issue, or anything matter related to China, it's okay; it's your freedom. It's pissing me off that Sg keeps on stopping the US from offering help to those issues. What Sg does remind me of the lawyer in the movie “law abiding citizen”. Sg thinks their way it's the best way to solve the issues, are they so?

[@raymondcyq]

Because he knew what’s Chinese care about and will fight to unity Taiwan until last drop of blood, if you are an Chinese, you will know this too. We Chinese don’t like western countries, we only take our own land

[@roninskylines]

when the host of a prominent conference cannot even figure out the surname of an Asian. or made the effort to. It shows why US keeps getting it wrong in many areas while being right in some.

[@mailhanyi]

You want US to wage war in Asia? Will you be fighting that war yourself? Will your family be affected?

[@ForeverEveresT]

一只台湾绿蛙，haha

[@qingzhou9983]

I got it wrong, Sg is warning US a grave danger to US as a friend. And you got pissed off. So Funny!

[@josephshen1806]

Ok, great! Pay for your own defense then. Why keep asking Americans to pay for yours?!?!? Or reimburse our defense of you!

[@zhenminliu]

Singapore pays for all the aircrafts she buys from the US: F16s, F35s, AWACs. The US in turn pays for the maintenance services and supplies she gets from Singapore for her aircrafts, ships, and aircraft carriers.