S'pore's strong brand name in China comes down to Singaporeans there: SM Lee

SHANGHAI - Singapore's brand name and its cultural, business and personal connections with China have allowed the two countries to work together and learn from each other.

- Tan Dawn Wei

Yet, Singapore's own experiences have added value to the relationship.

It is something that "we have to hold precious", especially in current troubled times, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong told Singaporeans at a reception in Shanghai on Nov 28.

The statesman is wrapping up a six-day official visit to the country, where he met President Xi Jinping and other leaders, visited Chinese tech companies and marked the 30th anniversary of the Suzhou Industrial Park, Singapore's joint project with China.

Speaking to a roomful of nearly 450 Singaporeans who live in China, SM Lee said: "Our Singapore brand name is worth a lot in China. People know about us, they admire us, and they would like to know us better and to do more with us.

"And I think that is something which is very valuable."

Much of that comes down to the Singaporeans who are working or studying here, he said.

He had, in a meeting earlier in the day with Shanghai's top official, Mr Chen Jining, described them as "our ambassadors".

While many are ethnic Chinese, they are different from the Chinese from China.