China-Singapore "forward-looking, strategic and exemplary"

During his visit to China from March 27 to April 1, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, his counterpart Li Qiang, National People's Congress Chairman Zhao Leji, Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Chairman Wang Huning and several other senior Chinese officials.

In addition to the above activities taking place in Beijing, the head of the Singaporean government visited Guangdong and Hainan provinces, working with local leaders. In particular, he spoke at the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference, calling on Asia to promote effective cooperation in the new situation.

Model for countries in the region

During a meeting with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on March 31, President Xi Jinping assessed the China-Singapore relationship as “forward-looking, strategic and exemplary”, calling it a standard and model for countries in the region.

The Chinese leader added that Beijing's invitation to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to visit soon after the formation of the new government in early March was a clear sign that China always prioritizes Singapore in its regional diplomacy, reflecting the special and close friendship between the two countries.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said it was time for Singapore and China to continue to build on what he described as the “strong friendship and deep understanding we have built over many years”.

Affirming that “many countries, including Singapore, are keen to strengthen economic ties with China,” Mr. Lee Hsien Loong expressed hope that “my visit will create new momentum for bilateral cooperation and high-level exchanges” between the two countries.

"Other countries must accept that China today is not the China of the past. It is much more prosperous, it contributes much more to the world economy, and it has a much greater say in international affairs," the Singaporean prime minister stressed.

A statement from Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs after the meeting said the two leaders agreed to upgrade bilateral relations to a high-quality, future-oriented comprehensive partnership.

Thủ tướng Trung Quốc Lý Cường và Thủ tướng Singapore Lý Hiển Long tại thủ đô Bắc Kinh ngày 31/3. (Nguồn: Tân Hoa xã)

Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in Beijing on April 1. (Source: Xinhua)

Upgrading bilateral relations

China and Singapore on April 1 issued a joint statement on establishing a high-quality comprehensive partnership towards the future, during Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's six-day visit.

The upgrading of bilateral relations reflects the two countries' commitment to building a strategic direction and charting the future development of bilateral relations.

The statement stated that with a high-quality and future-oriented approach to bilateral relations, the two countries wish to strengthen comprehensive and innovative cooperation in areas such as trade and investment, digital economy, green economy, food security, finance, aviation and people-to-people exchange.

The two sides pledged to cooperate in areas such as digital transformation, exploring future-oriented growth opportunities, promoting cooperation in new areas, and making full use of intergovernmental mechanisms.

The statement reaffirmed the continued strengthening of China-ASEAN relations within the framework of the ASEAN-China comprehensive strategic partnership. The two countries will work together to effectively implement the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and step up preparations to strengthen the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA 3.0) to promote mutually beneficial economic growth.

According to the Straits Times , the “high-quality comprehensive partnership towards the future” was developed from the “comprehensive cooperative partnership advancing with the times” established in 2015 during President Xi Jinping’s visit to the lion island. This reflects the two countries’ desire to push bilateral relations further.

A series of new agreements signed in the presence of the two prime ministers paved the way for deeper cooperation in areas ranging from the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to food safety and trade, as well as water and environmental research.

The two sides also plan to bring more artists from China to Singapore for cultural exchanges and vice versa.

In particular, China and Singapore aim to sign an upgraded free trade agreement (FTA) this year based on negotiations initiated by a protocol signed in 2018 that will introduce more business-friendly, liberal and transparent rules.

According to Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China has been Singapore's largest trading partner since 2013, while Singapore is China's largest foreign investor.

Commenting on the importance of strengthening ties between the two countries, Dr Benjamin Ho (China Programme at Singapore's S Rajaratnam School of International Studies) said that this would allow Singapore to tap into China's expertise.

“China is Singapore's largest export market, so we definitely need China's doors to be open to ensure our ongoing economic dynamism and prosperity,” he told CNA .

For Singapore, this “allows us to tap into China’s know-how in the areas listed in the partnership, thus further diversifying our economic, intellectual and social connectivity with China, thereby enhancing and expanding our international footprint”.