Singaporean Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen has said that Asian armies need to build trust in order to reduce tensions relating to the disputes in the East Sea. Speaking on Sunday at the 12th Shangri-La Dialogue, the Singaporean Defense Minister said the complex threat that exists today, namely the contested sovereignty and competing territorial claims between China and Asian countries, can hinder regional economic growth. He added that Practical cooperation between the armies of individual countries in Asia is needed for mutual understanding. Ng Eng Hen also called on Asian countries to establish communication channels and cooperation mechanisms at all levels in order to prevent or defuse escalating tension. Previously, Vietnam suggested claimant states in the territorial dispute enter into a "no first use of force" agreement. Meanwhile, Brunei proposed the setup of hotlines to quickly ease tensions at sea.