Advertisement

China and Singapore agree to upgrade ties, paving way for hi-tech cooperation

  • Both countries reaffirm their relationship and pledge to uphold the rules-based multilateral trading system
  • Accords include joint support for two flagship water and environmental projects

Reading Time:3 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
9
Chinese President Xi Jinping meets Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in Beijing on Friday. Photo: Xinhua
Dewey Simin Singapore
Beijing and Singapore have agreed to upgrade their ties and extend cooperation to science and technology as well as supply chains, capping Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s week-long trip to China.

In a joint statement on Saturday, both sides agreed to upgrade bilateral relations to an all-round, high-quality, future-oriented partnership, a move which they said reflected their “desire to set the strategic direction and chart the development of bilateral relations going forward”.

The decision means China and Singapore can strengthen cooperation in areas including trade, investment, the digital economy, food security, finance and aviation, according to the joint statement.

The two nations said they would uphold the rules-based multilateral trading system, and work to ensure the stable and smooth operation of global supply chains.

Both also reaffirmed the need to further improve relations between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and enhance the Asean-China Free Trade Area.

The joint statement marked the end of Lee’s six-day trip in China, his first visit to the country since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Advertisement