Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China Wang Yi called on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong today.
Prime Minister Lee and Director Wang reaffirmed Singapore and China’s longstanding and substantive relations, which had been upgraded to an “All-Round High-Quality Future-Oriented Partnership” in April this year. They also discussed how to expand and enhance collaboration that would benefit both countries and the region. Director Wang updated Prime Minister Lee on China’s foreign policy priorities. Prime Minister Lee welcomed China’s continued engagement of ASEAN, and looked forward to closer ASEAN-China cooperation. Both sides affirmed the importance of building an open, peaceful and inclusive region.
Director Wang also called on Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong today. They took stock of the good progress in bilateral cooperation, anchored by our three Government-to-Government projects in Suzhou, Tianjin and Chongqing, and institutionalised platforms such as the Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC). They also looked forward to leveraging the 15th anniversary of the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City this year to refresh bilateral cooperation. Deputy Prime Minister Wong will be visiting China again later this year to co-chair the 19th JCBC with PRC Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, when both countries can build upon the positive momentum to further expand cooperation in areas such as trade and investments, finance and capital markets, connectivity, and the digital and green economies.
Deputy Prime Minister Wong expressed in-principle support for China’s interest to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which would require China to adhere to the CPTPP’s high-standard rules and comprehensive market access commitments. This also has to be worked out between China and all CPTPP members, on the basis of consensus. Deputy Prime Minister Wong also welcomed China’s application to the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA) in accordance with the rules and procedures of the agreement.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan hosted Director Wang to dinner the previous evening. They reaffirmed the strong bilateral ties, and reviewed the multi-faceted cooperation between both countries. Minister Balakrishnan and Director Wang also looked forward to continue working together to increase business and people flows between both countries, and unlock new growth opportunities in emerging areas such as sustainable development and the digital economy. They also had a wide-ranging discussion on ASEAN-China relations, as well as other regional and international issues.
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
11 AUGUST 2023
Photo caption: Call on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on 11 August at the Istana.
Photo credit: Ministry of Communications and Information
Photo caption: Call on Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong on 11 August at the Treasury.
Photo credit: Ministry of Communications and Information
Photo caption: Dinner hosted by Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan on 10 August 2023
Photo credit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore
