2025 marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Singapore and China. In addition to holding celebrations, the two countries will also take this opportunity to further promote personnel exchanges between the two sides and promote exchanges and cooperation in various fields, thereby consolidating the long-term partnership between the two countries.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong pointed out at the Singapore-China Joint Committee on Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) meeting on Monday (November 11) that there are many activities to look forward to next year. In addition to celebrating the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Singapore and China, the two countries will also usher in the 10th anniversary of the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Strategic Connectivity Demonstration Project and the 15th anniversary of the Sino-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City.
(Photo by Cai Jiazeng)
Ting Xuexiang, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China and Executive Vice Premier of the State Council of China, who co-chaired the JCBC meeting with Gan Jinyong, said that the two countries should jointly hold colorful celebrations on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Singapore, magnify the benefits brought by the mutual visa exemption policy and the increase in direct flights, enhance youth local exchange activities, continue to hold the China-Singapore Leadership Forum and the High-level Forum on Social Governance, strengthen the exchange of experience in governance, and carry out more think tank and media cooperation.
In an interview with Singaporean media after the meeting, Transport Minister and Second Minister of Finance Xu Fengda said that he was very happy to hear Ding Xuexiang’s statement on further increasing flights between the two countries and supporting the flow of people. He said that in 2023, Ding Xuexiang and then Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong also proposed at the JCBC meeting that they hope to restore direct flights between the two places to pre-epidemic levels or even exceed pre-epidemic levels.
Xu Fengda said: “I am happy to achieve this goal. Next, it depends on how we can further promote more connections between Singapore and China.”
Education Minister Chan Chun Sing said that the two countries are also strengthening exchanges in terms of professionals and leadership. In addition to sharing governance experience through the Leadership Forum and the High-level Forum on Social Governance, more exchange activities will be launched in the field of education, including strengthening professional exchanges between bilateral faculty and staff, and launching more exchange programs in primary schools, secondary schools and universities to help the next generation of the two countries build deep mutual trust.
Food security can also become a new area for deepening cooperation between Singapore and China. Dr. Koh Poh Koon, Senior Minister of State for Manpower and Sustainability and the Environment, pointed out that a new pillar of cooperation added at the last JCBC meeting was related to food security and food supply chains. In 2024, the two countries signed an agreement to allow Singapore to export six types of locally farmed fish to China, which will help Singapore businesses expand their scale and reduce production costs.
Gan Jinyong added that many of the measures discussed and adopted at the JCBC will require years of continuous efforts to bear fruit. Therefore, it is necessary to take a long-term view of bilateral cooperation and develop, establish and strengthen the long-term partnership between Singapore and China.
Singapore and China have excellent relations and are exploring cooperation in areas such as digital and green economy
Singapore and China will celebrate the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2025. The two sides will continue to deepen their excellent bilateral relations and explore cooperation in new areas such as digital technology and green economy.
Ding Xuexiang, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China and Executive Vice Premier of the State Council of China, officially visited Singapore for two days on Sunday (November 10). He met with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Monday morning (11th) and attended a luncheon hosted by Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean. He also attended a welcome dinner hosted by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong on the evening of the 10th.
(Xinhua)
Prime Minister Huang posted on Facebook on Monday to welcome Ding Xuexiang’s visit. Ding Xuexiang was responsible for hosting Prime Minister Huang when he visited China last year.
Prime Minister Huang said: “Our bilateral relations are excellent. We are exploring new possibilities for cooperation in areas such as digital technology and green economy. Our two countries will celebrate the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations next year. We look forward to building a closer and stronger partnership with China.”
(Xinhua)
Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Teo Chee Hean also posted on social media platforms to welcome Ding Xuexiang. Tharman Shanmugaratnam said that Singapore and China have deepened their cooperation in many areas, and that cooperation between countries within or across regions is in the interests of all.
Zhang Zhixian: JCBC allows Singapore and China to review and plan the strategic direction of cooperation
Teo Chee Hean described the Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) between Singapore and China as an important mechanism for the two countries to review and plan the strategic direction of future cooperation.
(From Teo Chee Hean’s Facebook)
He said: “This is also a good opportunity for the next generation of leaders on both sides to build new friendships and deepen existing friendships.”
According to Teo Chee Hean’s post, Singaporean dignitaries attending the luncheon on the 11th also included: Senior Minister of State Sim Ann of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of National Development, Senior Minister of State Tan Kiat How of the Ministry of Digital Development and Information and Ministry of National Development, Senior Minister of State Low Yen Ling of the Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, Senior Minister of State Dr. Koh Poh Koon of the Ministry of Manpower and Ministry of Sustainability and Environment, and Minister of State Gan Xiaofang of the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Manpower.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore issued a statement on the 11th saying that during the meeting, the leaders of both sides reaffirmed the long-term and substantive bilateral relationship between Singapore and China, and welcomed the positive progress made in the two countries’ extensive and forward-looking cooperation. The cooperation between the two countries covers a wide range of areas, including economic and trade ties, digital and financial connectivity, sustainable development, innovation, food and agriculture, legal and judicial cooperation, education, health and cultural exchanges.
In addition, the leaders of both sides also exchanged views on how to deepen bilateral relations, including the progress of three intergovernmental cooperation projects between Singapore and China. The three projects are: the Sino-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City, and the Sino-Singapore (Chongqing) Strategic Connectivity Demonstration Project.
The statement said that as Singapore and China usher in the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2025, the two sides agreed to continue to strengthen cooperation in accordance with their respective development priorities.
The leaders of both sides also discussed regional and international issues, including global economic challenges.
