Large S'porean delegation to China shows forward-looking relationship: DPM Teo

BEIJING — The large Singaporean delegation to China as part of a high-level official trip to Beijing exemplified the “forward-looking” relationship between the two countries, said Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean yesterday.

The delegation, which included a number of young ministers, showed the “forward-looking nature of the relationship that we are building with China,” said the senior Minister.

“We took the younger ministers along so that they can continue with the relationship that was built by our senior leaders, Mr Deng Xiaoping and Mr Lee Kuan Yew, through the generations,” Mr Teo said. “We have the opportunity also to meet with some of the new Chinese ministers who were recently appointed.”

Mr Teo arrived in Beijing on Sunday. Yesterday, he and Chinese Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli co-chaired the 13th Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) meeting as well as steering council meetings on three government-to-government projects.

The Singapore delegation was also hosted to lunch yesterday by Mr Zhang.

Mr Teo was accompanied by Minister for Trade and Industry (Trade) Lim Hng Kiang, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu, Minister, Prime Minister’s Office Chan Chun Sing, Minister for National Development and Second Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong and Minister for Education (Schools) and Second Minister for Transport Ng Chee Meng.

Also in the delegation were Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills) and Second Minister for Defence Ong Ye Kung, Senior Minister of State for Environment and Water Resources and Health Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State for Prime Minister’s Office, Foreign Affairs and Transport Josephine Teo, Senior Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth and Trade and Industry Sim Ann, Minister of State for National Development and Trade and Industry Dr Koh Poh Koon.