Beijing lauds Singapore’s constructive role in Sino-Asean ties

MANILA — China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi yesterday lauded Singapore’s role as a coordinator for Beijing’s relations with the 10-member Association of South-east Asia Nations (Asean).

“We commend Singapore for playing a positive and constructive role in advancing China-Asean relations,” Mr Wang Yi told reporters after meeting Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on the sidelines of a meeting of regional foreign ministers in Manila. Mr Wang said his meeting with Dr Balakrishnan — their fifth official one in the last eight months — went “very well”.

Noting that Singapore will assume the Asean chairmanship next year, Mr Wang added: “We believe in and wish Singapore well in taking up these two responsibilities. So, in the process of further improving China-Asean relations, Singapore can play its special and positive role.” Singapore’s three-year term as country coordinator of Asean-China relations began in 2015.

Speaking at the start of an Asean-China foreign ministers’ meeting, Dr Balakrishnan said Asean and China enjoyed a “substantive, multi-faceted and mutually beneficial relation”.

“Asean-China relations are on a positive trajectory. As country coordinator, Singapore will continue to foster opportunities for communication and development of the relationship between our governments and our people.”

Speaking to Singapore reporters later, he added that Singapore-China ties are in good working order.

“We may have differences, but we have not allowed the differences to affect the overall tone of the relationship,” he said, adding that he told Mr Wang this was part of “a maturation process” of bilateral ties. “How we handle the differences is more important than the differences. To be able to overcome them, to not let them become an unsurmountable hurdle. But more importantly, each time we resolve something it helps build trust. It helps strengthen the relationship. So it’s a good working relationship,” added Dr Balakrishnan.