Minister Balakrishnan’s visit underscores Singapore and China’s commitment to deepening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation.
SINGAPORE: Singapore’s Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan met with Chinese leaders on Monday (Feb 20) during his visit to China, reinforcing the strong and enduring ties between the two nations.
Dr. Balakrishnan is in Beijing from Feb 19 to Feb 21, at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart, Qin Gang.
He met with Yin Li, Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, where both reaffirmed the longstanding and resilient relationship between Singapore and China, which had remained robust even amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Discussions centered on deepening cooperation in areas such as the economy, research and innovation, urban planning, and cultural exchanges, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) stated.
Dr. Balakrishnan was also hosted to lunch by Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC, where both ministers reiterated the multifaceted nature of the Singapore-China partnership. This partnership was notably highlighted by the support both nations provided to each other during the pandemic.
The two ministers also welcomed the ongoing efforts to fully resume in-person interactions across all levels—government, people, and party exchanges—which they agreed play a crucial role in strengthening mutual trust and understanding.
Following this, Dr. Balakrishnan held extensive talks with Mr. Qin over a delegation meeting and dinner. They reviewed the substantive and forward-looking nature of the partnership between Singapore and China, supported by institutional bilateral mechanisms, including the Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation and government-to-government projects in Suzhou, Tianjin, and Chongqing.
Both leaders expressed their commitment to tapping new growth opportunities in emerging areas, particularly the digital and green economies. They agreed on the importance of accelerating post-pandemic recovery by restoring full air connectivity and increasing business and people flows between Singapore and China.
Dr. Balakrishnan also extended an invitation for Mr. Qin to visit Singapore officially. The two ministers further exchanged views on regional and international developments and reaffirmed the importance of promoting peace, stability, and security within the region.
As 2023 marks the 15th anniversary of the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City, both ministers looked forward to more high-level exchanges in the year ahead.
