Senior Chinese military official meets Singaporean, Cambodian defense chiefs

Zhang Youxia, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, met separately with the defense chiefs of Singapore and Cambodia in Beijing on Thursday, as the two senior officials from Southeast Asian countries expressed willingness to uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea, the Chinese Defense Ministry said in a statement.

The meetings took place before the 11th Beijing Xiangshan Forum is scheduled to kick off on Friday.

During his meeting with Singaporean Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen, Zhang said that China is willing to work with Singapore to deepen the important consensuses reached by the leaders of both countries, further promoting bilateral cooperation for the benefit of the people of both nations and the region.

He expressed hope that the two militaries would maintain close high-level interactions and deepen practical cooperation in various fields to continuously advance the bilateral military relationship.

Ng Eng Hen said Singapore firmly adheres to the one-China principle and is willing to play a constructive role in maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea.

He also expressed hope for deepened exchanges and cooperation with China to elevate the relationship between the two countries and their militaries.

In his meeting with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Tea Seiha, Zhang said that China is willing to work with Cambodia to carry forward and consolidate their special friendship, enhance strategic communication, and deepen practical cooperation to elevate military relations to a new level.

Seiha expressed Cambodia's willingness to work with all parties to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.

He also expressed hope to further expand the depth and breadth of exchanges and cooperation between the two countries and their militaries, advancing the Cambodia-China community with a shared future in the new era.