CHONGQING: China and Singapore reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation in multiple fields and agreed to jointly uphold the multilateral trading system in order to boost regional prosperity and stability.
The commitment was made during four bilateral cooperation mechanism meetings co-chaired by Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang and Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong in Chongqing.
The meetings included the 21st session of the China-Singapore Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation, the 26th meeting of the Joint Steering Council for the China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park, the 17th Joint Steering Council meeting for the China-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City, and the ninth Joint Steering Council meeting of the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity.
At the meetings, both sides held extensive discussions on advancing high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, strengthening national-level bilateral projects, and expanding collaboration in areas such as trade and the economy, sustainable development, innovation, finance, public health, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
The two countries agreed to better align their development strategies, identify additional shared interests and cooperation opportunities, make full use of policy support to upgrade key projects, and foster new quality productive forces to achieve concrete, high-impact results.
They also emphasized the importance of protecting the multilateral trading system to support their own development while contributing to regional stability and prosperity.
Prior to the meetings, Ding a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee met with Gan.
Ding noted that the long-term and steady progress of China-Singapore relations stems from the strategic guidance of both countriesā€™ leaders and their adherence to the correct political direction. He said both sides should further strengthen mutual trust, respect each otherā€™s core interests, and ensure continued, stable growth in bilateral relations and mutually beneficial cooperation.
Gan said Singapore places high importance on its relationship with China, firmly upholds the one-China policy, and opposes “Taiwan independence.” He added that Singapore is ready to work with China to deepen exchanges at all levels and further advance bilateral relations.
After the meetings, Ding and Gan attended the launch ceremony of the Chongqingā€“Central Asia and Chongqingā€“Southeast Asia International Railway Express under the China-Singapore Multi-Modal Demonstration Project.
