Deep China-Singapore relationship built even before establishing diplomatic ties 35 years ago: PM Wong
The Singapore leader met President Xi Jinping and third-in-command Zhao Leji on his second full day in China
[BEIJING] Singapore’s relationship with China is built on a deep level of mutual respect, trust and understanding – created even before the formal establishment of diplomatic ties, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Tuesday (Jun 24) at a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
This was on the second day of meetings in PM Wong’s official visit to China from Jun 22 to 26, which takes place during the 35th anniversary of Singapore and China’s diplomatic ties.
Noting that this is his first introductory visit outside of South-east Asia, PM Wong said: “That reflects the close and steadfast partnership that exists between our two countries.”
He added that he hopes to build on the strong foundations established by his predecessors to further strengthen the relationship.
At the meeting held at the Great Hall of the People, PM Wong noted that President Xi is in the “unique position” of having met and engaged with all four of Singapore’s prime ministers, from the late Lee Kuan Yew to himself.
In their meeting, the leaders noted that former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping’s 1978 visit to Singapore and Lee’s early support for China’s opening up laid the strong foundation for bilateral cooperation, said Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in a statement.
BT in your inbox
Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox.
They also recognised Singapore and China’s roles in each other’s development journeys.
Further cooperation
MFA said: “Both leaders welcomed the positive momentum in bilateral cooperation, including in emerging areas such as the digital and green economies, and expressed support for deepening official and institutional linkages, as well as continuing to enhance our people-to-people ties.”
Beyond Singapore and China, PM Wong and President Xi discussed the increasingly complex global economic landscape, and agreed on the importance of maintaining open and inclusive trade.
They reaffirmed their support for a rules-based multilateral trading system, and stressed the need for cooperation to “enhance the relevance and effectiveness of global economic institutions”.
On cross-strait developments, PM Wong reiterated that Singapore has a clear and consistent “one China” policy and is opposed to Taiwan independence.
The two leaders last met in November 2024, at the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Peru.
Other meetings
Later on Tuesday, PM Wong met National People’s Congress chairman Zhao Leji, China’s former anti-corruption chief and current third-in-command.
At the start of the meeting, PM Wong noted that while this was his first meeting with Zhao, the latter is an “old friend of Singapore” who has visited in many capacities.
These included trips as party secretary of Shaanxi and minister of the Central Organisation Department of the Communist Party of China.
Zhao has also co-chaired three iterations of the Singapore-China Leadership Forum, which has “contributed to the deepening of mutual trust and understanding between our two governments”, added PM Wong. The 10th edition of the forum will be held in Singapore later this year.
Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, who accompanied PM Wong to China, also met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on Tuesday.
During the meeting, the foreign ministers acknowledged the two countries’ longstanding relationship, and agreed to maintain close communication as well as move the relationship forward.
Trust and the ability to look forward – “not just in election cycles, but in decades and centuries” – are important ingredients in this “unique and special relationship”, Dr Balakrishnan said.
“We live in a very interesting and challenging time where, in fact, the relationship based on trust and strategic foresight has become even more important.”
On Monday, PM Wong met Chinese Premier Li Qiang. After his meetings in Beijing on Tuesday, the prime minister travelled to Tianjin, in preparation for a dialogue session at the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) “Summer Davos” on Wednesday.
There, he attended an official dinner hosted by Premier Li for heads of state and heads of government who are attending the WEF event.
Copyright SPH Media. All rights reserved.
