In a significant move to bolster bilateral relations, Singapore’s Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong met with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his official visit to the Chinese mainland from November 24 to 29. The meeting, held on Tuesday, underscored the commitment of both nations to enhance their all-round, high-quality, future-oriented partnership.
President Xi highlighted the strategic course set for the development of bilateral ties, emphasizing the shared vision between Singapore and the Chinese mainland. Lee Hsien Loong’s visit reaffirms Singapore’s confidence in China’s long-term development and prosperity, further strengthening economic and trade cooperation.
At the China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park High-Quality Development Forum on November 25, Lee addressed the future of China’s economy, stating, “It would be both short-sighted and unwise to write off China.” He emphasized that Singapore firmly believes in China’s promising future and called for all nations to adopt a long-term perspective, uphold multilateralism, and work collaboratively to tackle global risks and challenges.
Singapore’s deep involvement in the Chinese mainland’s reform and opening-up has fostered a relationship grounded in objectivity and mutual respect. The Chinese economy remains resilient with significant growth potential, driven by its expanding domestic consumer market and diverse regional economies. Moreover, the Chinese mainland holds competitive advantages in regional industrial chains, particularly in digital technology and the green economy, bolstered by robust enterprise competitiveness and a wealth of scientific and technological talent.
Economic ties between Singapore and the Chinese mainland have consistently played a pivotal role in foreign economic and trade cooperation. For 11 consecutive years, China has been Singapore’s largest trading partner, while Singapore stands as China’s second-largest source of foreign investment. The two nations are currently collaborating closely in high-tech fields such as artificial intelligence, big data, electric vehicles, and biotechnology. People-to-people exchanges, especially in science and technology, are witnessing significant growth, further enhancing bilateral relations.
A highlight of Lee’s visit was his participation in the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP) in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province. The SIP, a model project of bilateral cooperation, exemplifies the successful partnership between the two nations. Since its inception in 1994, the SIP has achieved remarkable growth, with its regional gross domestic product increasing from 1 billion Chinese yuan (approximately $137.9 million) to 368.6 billion yuan in 2023. The project showcases a high degree of openness, superior development quality, strong innovation vitality, and a favorable business environment within the Chinese mainland.
Lee’s visit signifies a continued commitment to strengthening the strategic partnership between Singapore and the Chinese mainland. As both nations look towards the future, their collaborative efforts in economic, technological, and cultural spheres are set to bring greater benefits to their populations and contribute positively to regional stability and prosperity.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
