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Flurry of activities to celebrate SG50, 50 years of Aussie ties

SINGAPORE — Reflecting the strong ties between Singapore and Australia, a series of events to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Republic’s independence — as well as a half century of diplomatic relations between the two countries — was launched yesterday by Culture, Community and Youth Minister Lawrence Wong and Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop.

Singapore’s Foreign Minister K Shanmugam and his Australian counterpart Julie Bishop with Pelita, one of four koalas on loan to Singapore from Australia, during the official opening of the koala exhibit at the Singapore Zoo. Photo: Jason Quah

Singapore’s Foreign Minister K Shanmugam and his Australian counterpart Julie Bishop with Pelita, one of four koalas on loan to Singapore from Australia, during the official opening of the koala exhibit at the Singapore Zoo. Photo: Jason Quah

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SINGAPORE — Reflecting the strong ties between Singapore and Australia, a series of events to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Republic’s independence — as well as a half century of diplomatic relations between the two countries — was launched yesterday by Culture, Community and Youth Minister Lawrence Wong and Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop.

Separately, Ms Bishop and Foreign Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam officiated the opening of an exhibition at the Singapore Zoo of four koalas loaned by Australia to Singapore for six months.

Under the 50 Bridges programme, various activities will be held until the end of this month, including puppet performances by Australian theatre company Snuff Puppets. Street artists will also paint murals on walls in 50 heartland locations, while Aussie theatre company Polyglot will hold street acts featuring puppets of native animals from Down Under.

The final element of the celebrations will be the 50 free Australian barbecues to be held simultaneously across the island in one night next month, with 10,000 steaks to be served to the public.

Speaking at the launch of the programme yesterday, Mr Wong said the ties between the two countries are built on their similarities in foundation and values while Ms Bishop said the programme draws on the creative abilities of Australians and Singaporeans through street art and performances. It was a busy day for Ms Bishop, who was in town for a day on a working visit: She called on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in the morning, and was hosted to breakfast by Mr Shanmugam.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that during their meeting, Mr Lee and Ms Bishop agreed that cooperation between the two countries was “on an upward trajectory”. Both leaders noted that the Singapore-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership, once it is concluded, would be an important milestone for bilateral relations.

They also welcomed the slew of events to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, including the loan of the koalas to the Singapore Zoo.

“Koala diplomacy”, as Ms Bishop had previously put it, is about a “strong and enduring friendship” between Singapore and Australia. Ms Bishop also had a meeting with Mr Shanmugam, where they noted the progress made on the Singapore-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), which will be concluded this year.

The CSP will take bilateral relations to the next level and strengthen political, economic, defence, and people-to-people ties between both countries, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Ms Bishop also announced the establishment of a High-Level Women’s Dialogue between Singapore and Australia. The inaugural dialogue will be held in Australia towards the end of the year, and it will be co-chaired by Ms Bishop and Minister in Prime Minister’s Office Grace Fu.

Ms Fu said the theme would be the promotion of women’s economic empowerment and leadership in business.

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