China, S'pore pledge to open new chapter in bilateral ties

SINGAPORE — The leaders of Singapore and China tonight (Nov 6) lauded the deep and comprehensive ties between the two countries, pledging to strengthen cooperation and open a new chapter in bilateral relations.

Speaking during a state banquet hosted by President Tony Tan Keng Yam at the Istana, Chinese President Xi Jinping said that he was “glad to see that the tree of China-Singapore cooperation planted and nurtured by the pioneer generation of our leaders has borne rich fruits”, adding that over the past 25 years, two-way trade and personnel exchanges between Singapore and China have grown by 28 and 25 times respectively.

“China will work with Singapore to seize the momentum, enhance political trust and deepen practical cooperation on the basis of mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit and strengthen coordination and collaboration on international and global issues,” said Mr Xi, who is on his first state visit to Singapore as part of an arrangement by both countries to commemorate the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

Dr Tan, in proposing a toast to his Chinese counterpart during the state banquet – featuring uniquely Singaporean dishes such as chili crab and a chicken soup with “bak kut teh” spices - noted how bilateral cooperation has moved beyond the traditional spheres of trade and commerce to new areas such as social governance, human resource cooperation, sustainable development, financial cooperation and food safety.

“Our wide ranging cooperation evolves with our changing developmental priorities and capabilities. What our two countries share is a unique ‘All-Round Partnership that Progresses with the Times’,” he said, adding that he looks forward to working closely with Mr Xi – whom he referred to as an “old friend” - towards the Golden Jubilee of Singapore-China relations in 2040.

Mr Xi arrived in Singapore this evening accompanied by his wife, Madam Peng Liyuan, and a high-level delegation which includes Member of the Political Bureau and Head of the Policy Research Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee (CPCCC) Wang Huning; Member of the Political Bureau and Head of the General Office of the CPCCC Li Zhanshu, State Councillor Yang Jiechi as well as several other ministers.

Minister for Finance Heng Swee Keat, who is the Minister-in-Attendance for the visit, received the Chinese President at the airport.

Prior to the state banquet, Mr Xi’s received a welcome ceremony at the Istana, followed by a call on Dr Tan, whose wife Mrs Mary Tan separately hosted tea for Madam Peng.

“During their meeting, President Tan and President Xi affirmed the close, substantive and multi-faceted relations between Singapore and China,” said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement.

“They also agreed to establish an ‘All Round Cooperative Partnership Progressing with the Times’.”

Both sides further agreed to launch negotiations on the upgrade of the China-Singapore Free Trade Agreement signed in 2009 and to conclude the negotiations by 2016, the statement added. Since the agreement came into force, bilateral trade and investments have increased by over 160 per cent and 162 per cent respectively, Dr Tan noted at the state banquet later.

“It is therefore fitting that as we commemorate 25 years of diplomatic relations, our countries have agreed to launch a substantive upgrade of the China-Singapore FTA to prepare for the next stage of our economic cooperation,” he said.

In their toast speeches, both leaders expressed satisfaction with the progress of the two flagship Government-to-Government (G-G) projects in the form of Suzhou Industrial Park set up in 1994 and the Tianjin Eco City in 2008, while announcing that a third G-G project will be launched in the Western Chinese city of Chongqing.

Dr Tan, who last met Mr Xi in July when he was in Beijing in for a state visit, also spoke on how in the last three decades, China has unlocked unprecedented levels of growth and development in the country and lifted millions of Chinese people out of poverty.

“Today, Your Excellency (Mr Xi) is leading the Chinese people into a new era of progress and prosperity through ‘Comprehensively Deepening Reforms’. This is a remarkable endeavour and I am confident that China will continue to succeed under your leadership,” he said.   

“Singapore’s confidence in China’s future is best reflected in the continuous flow of our investments into China,” said Dr Tan, who noted that Singapore has been China’s largest foreign investor for the last two years while China has been Singapore’s largest trading partner since 2013.

On Mr Xi’s part, he said that whenever he visits Singapore, he is “invariably impressed by its dynamic development, harmonious and well planned city state, diverse culture and the sincere friendship of the Singaporean people towards the Chinese people.”

Tomorrow, Mr Xi will meet with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, after which they will jointly witness a signing ceremony of several agreements and Memoranda of Understanding on economic cooperation, education, urban development and governance.

Mr Xi and Madam Peng will visit the Singapore Botanic Gardens where an orchid hybrid “Papilionanda” will be named in their honour.  Mr Lee and his wife Madam Ho Ching will host President Xi and Madam Peng to lunch at the Corner House in Singapore Botanic Gardens. Mr Xi and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong will co-officiate the opening of the China Cultural Centre and the Chinese President will also deliver the 36th Singapore Lecture at the National University of Singapore. 

In the afternoon, Mr Xi is scheduled to meet with Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou at the sidelines of his state visit — the first such meeting since both countries split in 1949 after a civil war.