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S’pore leaders congratulate China on 69th anniversary of founding, laud strong bilateral ties

SINGAPORE — President Halimah Yacob and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong have written to their Chinese counterparts to congratulate them on the 69th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, while lauding the “strong and multi-faceted” ties between both sides.

President Halimah Yacob received a courtesy call from Vice Premier Han Zheng on Sept 21, 2018.

President Halimah Yacob received a courtesy call from Vice Premier Han Zheng on Sept 21, 2018.

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SINGAPORE — President Halimah Yacob and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong have written to their Chinese counterparts to congratulate them on the 69th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, while lauding the “strong and multi-faceted” ties between both sides.

According to a press statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Madam Halimah noted in a letter to President Xi Jinping that China is entering into a new stage of reform.

She wrote in a letter dated Monday (Sept 24): “This year marks the 40th anniversary of the opening up of the country. China’s commitment to the path of economic growth and liberalisation amidst global uncertainties will not only contribute to China’s future progress but also boost global trade and development.”

She added that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has also reached a significant five-year milestone this year. By enhancing connectivity and linkages, the BRI has promoted the spirit of common prosperity and brought countries closer together, she said.

She said that bilateral ties are “excellent and have evolved over time”. Over the years, the cooperation between both countries has grown beyond the traditional areas of trade and investment to cover new areas including the BRI, finance, and legal and judicial issues.

Additionally, Madam Halimah said the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Connectivity Initiative-Southern Transport Corridor has added further impetus to BRI cooperation by linking the “Belt” and the “Road” and strengthening connectivity between China and Asean (Association of South-east Asian Nations).

The Chongqing flagship project, launched in 2015, aims to enhance connectivity from western China to South-east Asia, and beyond.

As beneficiaries of free trade, Madam Halimah noted that both sides are also working towards the completion of a substantive and high standard upgrade of the China-Singapore Free Trade Agreement by the end of the year.

She said that Singapore and China have worked well at regional and multilateral fora. “As Asean Chair, Singapore will continue to work with our dialogue partners including China and enhance cooperation to build a resilient and innovative Asean.”

“We are working together on a substantive and mutually beneficial Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Together, we can send a strong signal of our joint commitment to free trade and a rules-based multilateral trading system.”

The RCEP deal, currently being negotiated between Asean’s 10 member-states and Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea will create the world’s largest trading bloc, covering a third of the world’s present annual gross domestic product.

Madam Halimah added: “I wish the People’s Republic of China continued peace, stability and prosperity. I also wish you continued good health and success.”

On his part, Mr Lee said in a congratulatory message to Premier Li Keqiang that 2018 is a significant year for China, as it marks the 40th anniversary of China’s reforms and opening up, and the fifth anniversary of the BRI.

“Amidst an increasingly uncertain global environment and growing protectionism, China’s continued support for trade liberalisation and economic integration will benefit China and the global economy,” he said in his letter on Monday (Sept 24).

The Prime Minister noted that Singapore’s strong and multi-faceted relations with China are characterised by an “All Round Cooperative Partnership Progressing with the Times”.

Since Deng Xiaoping’s visit to Singapore 40 years ago, Singapore-China cooperation has broadened and deepened immensely, he said.

“Besides our three Government-to-Government projects (in Suzhou, Tianjin and Chongqing), we are expanding cooperation in new areas such as innovation and technology, sustainable development, financial services, and legal and judicial cooperation,” he said.

He added that bilateral cooperation under the BRI has progressed well and now spans infrastructure connectivity, financial connectivity, third party cooperation and training, and professional services..

“This will be further strengthened by the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Connectivity Initiative-Southern Transport Corridor which links the “Belt” and the “Road” and enhances connectivity between China and Asean, as well as the rest of the world.”

Turning to multilateral cooperation, Mr Lee said that the Republic has worked with China and the other Asean member states to foster Asean-China ties, while serving as this year’s Asean Chair and as Asean-China Coordinator for the last three years.

“We look forward to celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Asean-China Strategic Partnership and setting the Asean-China 2030 Vision Statement at the Asean Summit in Singapore this year.”

Singapore and China have also worked closely to advance shared interest in promoting free and open trade, he said.

“We look forward to an early conclusion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, and a substantial upgrade of the China-Singapore Free Trade Agreement during Your Excellency’s Official Visit to Singapore this November," PM Lee also said.

Earlier this month, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said after co-chairing a high-level bilateral meeting with Chinese Vice-Premier Han Zheng that the Republic hopes the upgraded bilateral trade deal will be signed during Mr Li’s visit later this year.

“Please accept my best wishes for your good health and continued success. Ho Ching and I look forward to hosting you and Madam Cheng Hong in Singapore in November,” wrote Mr Lee.

Singapore is China's top source of foreign investments, while the latter is the Republic's biggest trading partner.

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