(Photo Credit: Lianhe Zaobao)
(Photo Credit: Lianhe Zaobao)
Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan met PRC State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on 8 April 2018 in Beijing. Minister and State Councilor Wang reaffirmed the strong and substantive bilateral ties between our two countries and the good progress made in our three Government-to-Government projects, including the latest Chongqing Connectivity Initiative (CCI) project. They welcomed the positive momentum of our cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, including the development of a Southern Transport Corridor which has enhanced the connectivity between Western China and Southeast Asia and beyond. Minister and State Councilor Wang also looked forward to the conclusion of the China-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (CSFTA) upgrade negotiation this year, which will send a positive signal under the current climate of rising trade protectionism.
Minister and State Councilor Wang took stock of the positive developments in ASEAN-China relations over the last few years and State Councilor Wang appreciated the constructive role that Singapore has played in advancing ASEAN-China cooperation since it assumed the coordinatorship of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations in 2015. Both Minister and State Councilor Wang welcomed the designation of 2018 as the ASEAN-China Year of Innovation and looked forward to the announcement of the ASEAN-China Vision 2030 Statement this year.
Minister and State Councilor Wang expressed Singapore and China's support for the global rules-based trading system and an inclusive, free and open multilateral trading regime under the World Trade Organisation framework. They agreed to work towards the expeditious conclusion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations. Minister and State Councilor Wang also exchanged views on the situation on the Korean Peninsula.
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
8 APRIL 2018
