Singaporean Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong is currently on an official visit to China, marking a significant step in bilateral cooperation as the two nations prepare to celebrate the 35th anniversary of their relations next year.
Experts highlight the importance of this visit in the context of Singapore's smooth leadership transition, which ensures continuity in its foreign policy, and the uncertain global geopolitical landscape. The potential return of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has introduced new challenges for the Asia-Pacific region, making Lee's diplomatic efforts even more crucial.
Lee's mission goes beyond reinforcing Singapore-China relations. It seeks to explore new avenues for coordination amidst the evolving dynamics of China-U.S. relations. Gu Xiaosong, dean of the ASEAN Research Institute of Hainan Tropical Ocean University, noted that Lee's extensive political influence and diplomatic experience uniquely position him to enhance bilateral ties and contribute to the broader China-U.S. dialogue.
Marking his 15th visit to China in the past two decades, Lee has significantly contributed to the strong economic interdependence between the two countries. In 2023 alone, bilateral trade reached $108 billion, while Singapore's cumulative investments in China surpassed $141 billion by the end of the year. These figures underscore the robust investment and trade relationship that has been developed under Lee's leadership.
During his visit, Lee will travel to Beijing, Shanghai, and Suzhou, emphasizing a renewed focus on deepening bilateral ties through economic and cultural collaboration. In Suzhou, he will engage with the Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP), a flagship project established in 1994 that combines Singapore's planning expertise with China's development capabilities. The SIP has become a thriving hub for advanced manufacturing and technology, achieving remarkable milestones over the past 30 years, including a cumulative tax revenue of 1.09 trillion yuan ($150 billion), total fixed asset investments of 1.1 trillion yuan, and an import and export volume of $1.54 trillion.
In Shanghai, Lee will highlight the success of CapitaLand Group, a major Singaporean real estate company with deep investments in China, including over 200 projects across 40 cities such as the iconic Raffles City.
Beijing will serve as a platform for high-level discussions on emerging opportunities for collaboration in areas like the digital economy, green energy, and advanced manufacturing. These topics align with China's 14th Five-Year Plan and Singapore's initiatives for global innovation.
Through this visit, China and Singapore aim to build on their past successes, elevate their level of cooperation, and inject fresh momentum into the broader interactions between China and Southeast Asia.
Reference(s):
Lee Hsien Loong visits China: A renewed focus on bilateral ties
cgtn.com
