SINGAPORE: Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi have reiterated the strengthened and substantive relations between their countries during Wang Yi’s visit on Friday. This reaffirmation comes after the two nations elevated their bilateral ties in April, following a meeting between Prime Minister Lee and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing earlier this year.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Singapore stated that the upgraded partnership reflects the commitment of both countries to expand bilateral cooperation continuously and explore new collaborations in forward-looking areas such as digital and green economies.
During the visit, Prime Minister Lee and Foreign Minister Wang discussed strategies to expand and enhance collaboration that would be mutually beneficial for Singapore, China, and the broader region, according to the MFA’s press statement. Wang Yi also provided updates on China’s foreign policy priorities.
The leaders welcomed China’s ongoing engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and expressed a shared vision for closer ASEAN-China cooperation, emphasizing the importance of building an open, peaceful, and inclusive region.
Bilateral Cooperation Between China and Singapore
Foreign Minister Wang Yi also held discussions with Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong, where they assessed the progress made in bilateral cooperation, particularly in government-to-government projects in Suzhou, Tianjin, and Chongqing. They highlighted the significance of institutionalized platforms like the Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC).
This year marks the 15th anniversary of the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City project, and both sides aim to leverage this occasion to revitalize and strengthen their bilateral cooperation. Lawrence Wong is set to visit China later this year to co-chair the 19th JCBC alongside Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang.
Additionally, Lawrence Wong expressed in-principle support for China’s interest in joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), a trade pact consisting of countries around the Pacific rim. The CPTPP, established in 2018, has seen recent expansion with the United Kingdom formally joining in July. China’s application to join the partnership is subject to consensus among existing members and adherence to the pact’s high-standard rules and market access commitments.
Moreover, Singapore welcomed China’s application to the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA), a pact facilitating digital trade and the development of the digital economy between Singapore, Chile, and New Zealand.
