A Milestone Meeting in Chongqing
Tomorrow, December 15 and 16, in Chongqing, Singapore and the Chinese mainland will convene the 21st session of the China-Singapore Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC). This high-level forum has anchored the partnership since its inception, bringing leaders and officials together to build trust and deliver tangible outcomes.
35 Years of Diplomatic Ties
This year marks the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and the Chinese mainland. Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and the Chinese premier Li Qiang exchanged official visits in 2025, underlining a shared commitment to deepen collaboration across multiple fronts.
Celebrating Government-to-Government Initiatives
Key to this partnership are long-term strategic projects:
- Suzhou Industrial Park, now in its 30th year, has become a cornerstone for business innovation.
- Tianjin Eco-City celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2023, showcasing sustainable urban planning.
- The China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity (CCI) turns 10 this month, reflecting evolving priorities such as green development, digital transformation and supply chain resilience.
Knowledge Sharing and Leadership Dialogue
In September, the Guangzhou Knowledge City marked its 15th year as a test bed for new technologies and know-how exchange. Meanwhile, the 10th Singapore-China Leadership Forum last month reinforced high-level dialogue on leadership development and governance.
Focusing on Emerging Priorities
Looking ahead, both sides will zero in on three key areas:
1. Economic Connectivity and Resilient Trade
Through G2G projects in Suzhou, Tianjin and Chongqing, Singapore businesses continue to access new pathways into the Chinese mainland market. A recent agreement during Premier Li's visit to Singapore will expand third-party market collaboration, enabling companies to internationalize between Southeast Asia and the Chinese mainland, and providing sustainable development training for ASEAN nations.
2. Green Development
From the eco-city in Tianjin to the CCI’s green projects in Chongqing, both sides are committed to clean energy, low-carbon infrastructure and circular economy solutions.
3. Digital Transformation and Supply Chain Resilience
Initiatives like Guangzhou Knowledge City and the CCI’s tech hubs will deepen digital innovation, while new frameworks aim to future-proof supply chains against global disruptions.
As global uncertainties rise, the Singapore–Chinese mainland partnership demonstrates how long-term vision can foster stability and shared prosperity. The 21st JCBC will chart the next chapter in this dynamic relationship.
Reference(s):
Singapore and China at 35: Enduring partnership amidst change
cgtn.com
