Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs Teo Chee Hean is in Beijing to deliver the Opening Address at the 2nd Singapore - China Social Governance Forum. Whilst in Beijing, DPM Teo also met Member of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Political Bureau Standing Committee and Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli. Both leaders reaffirmed the warm and longstanding bilateral relations between Singapore and China. They reiterated the commitment of both countries to further deepen and strengthen bilateral economic and social cooperation.
The two leaders also discussed Vice Premier Zhang’s proposal for Singapore and China to embark on a 3rd G-to-G project in China’s Western Region. They tasked officials from both sides to further explore the proposal. Both leaders looked forward to co-chairing the 11th JCBC meeting in Suzhou, China, later this year.
Vice Premier Zhang invited Singapore to be a founding member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), to meet the significant infrastructure needs in Asia. DPM Teo expressed Singapore’s intent to accept China’s invitation. DPM Teo and Vice Premier Zhang discussed how the AIIB can complement existing multilateral development banks (MDBs), stay open and inclusive, and draw upon the best practices of existing MDBs in terms of governance and operations.
DPM met and was hosted to lunch by Member of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau and CPC Central Committee Political and Legal Affairs Commission Secretary Meng Jianzhu. They exchanged views on the principles of social governance and China’s efforts for reform. They agreed that the Social Governance Forum is a useful platform for both countries to continue to exchange experiences on social governance issues.
DPM Teo will meet with Central Organisation Department Minister Zhao Leji tomorrow before leaving for Chongqing.
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
28 JULY 2014