US Defence Secretary Meets PM Wong, Region's Defence Ministers

Hegseth Cites US Belief in Cooperation and Partnerships Underpinned by Shared Values

- Wong Pei Ting

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth met Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing on May 30, on the sidelines of the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue.

Mr Hegseth called on PM Wong at the Istana, and the two leaders reaffirmed the excellent and long-standing bilateral defence relations between Singapore and the US.

They also exchanged views on geopolitical developments and regional security issues, and reiterated their shared commitment to regional peace, stability and prosperity, said the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) in a statement.

At the meeting, Mr Hegseth affirmed continued support for the Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF) training in the US, while PM Wong emphasised Singapore's longstanding support for the US' regional presence.

Their meeting, the first between a Cabinet official from the current US administration and PM Wong, was also attended by Senior Minister of State for Defence Zaqy Mohamad, said Mindef.

Earlier in the day, Mr Chan and Mr Hegseth had a breakfast meeting, where they reaffirmed excellent bilateral defence ties and the mutually beneficial partnership between Singapore and the US.

The partnership is anchored by a 1990 memorandum of understanding (MOU) that allows US military access to Singapore's air and naval bases.