Xi’s S’pore visit to cement another 25 ‘glorious years of cooperation’

SINGAPORE — President Xi Jinping’s first state visit here later this week will provide a platform for Singapore and China to look at how to boost bilateral ties and chart the way forward for another 25 “glorious years” of cooperation, said Chinese Ambassador Chen Xiaodong today (Nov 3).

“Both sides have agreed that it is now the time to look at how to reposition the relationship, give it new meaning and to reflect how the relationship is comprehensive and has moved with the times,” said Mr Chen in Mandarin at a press conference at the Chinese Embassy, ahead of the state visit from Friday to Saturday.

Agreements on the start of a third Government-to-Government (G-to-G) project in Western China and the upgrade of a bilateral free trade agreement are expected to be signed during the visit to “demonstrate the latest successes and areas of convergences” between the countries, said Mr Chen, who noted that this would be the first state visit here following the swearing in of the new Cabinet last month. 

The envoy added that President Xi will be visiting Singapore at a “historic moment” to commemorate the 25th anniversary of bilateral relations and SG50, and that Mr Xi will be meeting “old friends”, including President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Singapore-China relations are deep and broad-based. China is Singapore’s largest trading partner, while Singapore is the largest investor in China.  

Both countries have have been in discussions on upgrading the Singapore-China Free Trade Agreement signed in 2008. 

“As the global economic climate and the economic conditions in Singapore and China change, the free trade agreement should also be upgraded. This will enhance bilateral economic cooperation,” said Mr Chen.

The third G-to-G project was proposed by China in 2013, after the Suzhou Industrial Park set up in 1994, and the Tianjin Eco-City in 2008.

Three cities — Chongqing, Chengdu and Xi’an — have been shortlisted for the new project, which would focus on “modern connectivity and the service economy”.

Prime Minister Lee had earlier expressed hope that the decision on the final location will be reached this year.

TODAY understands that an agreement that sets the framework for the new project will be signed during Mr Xi’s visit, but it is unclear if the final choice of the city will be announced.

Mr Chen said that the project would have a positive effect on Mr Xi’s ambitious “One Belt, One Road” initiative to drive China’s future economic growth. With the plan’s scope stretching from Hungary to Indonesia, Beijing estimates that the initiative will add another US$2.5 trillion (S$3.5 trillion) to China’s trade in the next decade. China has committed US$40 billion to its Silk Road Fund to finance infrastructure projects in the region.

Other agreements on educational exchanges, customs, finance and urban governance are also in the works during the state visit.

China and Singapore signed a slew of agreements last month to further strengthen economic and cultural ties after talks between Chinese Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli and Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean. Key among the agreements signed was a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Suzhou Industrial Park Administrative Committee and International Enterprise (IE) Singapore to establish an Overseas Investment Services Platform to help Chinese companies internationalise.

The Chinese ambassador pointed out that the Singapore government “has paid great attention to the keenly anticipated state visit”, with several “meticulous and considerate arrangements” even though Mr Xi is in Singapore during a weekend.

Mr Xi will be hosted to a state banquet at the Istana by President Tan, who himself had visited China for a state visit in July. 

Mr Lee and his wife Madam Ho Ching will host a private lunch for Mr Xi and his wife Madam Peng Liyuan during the visit. A new orchid hybrid will be named after Mr Xi and Madam Peng.

As part of the itinerary, the Chinese President will also speak at a Singapore Lecture organised by ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, where he is expected to touch on bilateral relations, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-China cooperation and other regional issues including the situation in the South China Sea.

Mr Xi and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong will also officiate the opening of the China Cultural Centre. “This visit will inject new directions and momentum into bilateral relations and open up a new chapter for the relationship … It will underline Singapore-China cooperation and friendship. The people of China and Singapore, as well as people all over the world, will be able to witness the warmth of the relationship,” said Mr Chen.

“We will look at how to move towards another 25 glorious years of cooperation,” he added.