Upgraded FTA, mutual visa-free regime for Singapore and China

More than 20 pacts inked between both countries at key bilateral meeting

- Elizabeth Law

 

TIANJIN - People and business flows between Singapore and China look set to expand, with an upgraded free trade pact that gives Singapore firms greater access to China's services sectors.

A new visa-free arrangement is also expected to kick in from early 2024, allowing Singaporeans and Chinese nationals to visit the other country for up to 30 days with no need for a visa.

Both announcements at the 19th Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC), along with more than 20 memorandums of understanding (MOUS) and agreements inked, put flesh on the relationship that was upgraded in April, heralding what both sides said is a new era of cooperation.

The visa-free arrangement, for instance, will "enable more people-to-people exchanges, thereby fortifying the bedrock of our bilateral relations", Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on Dec 7 at the top bilateral forum which he co-chairs.

His Chinese counterpart, VicePremier Ding Xuexiang, said that such exchanges have become "even more active" post-pandemic.

There are now over 40,000 students from China studying in Singapore, he added.

Currently, China passport holders have to apply for a visa to enter Singapore. Singaporeans can visit China for up to 15 days visa-free.

"This year has been particularly significant in the development of Sino-Singapore ties," Mr Ding said.

"I believe that through our efforts, this meeting will bear fruitful results."

In April, Singapore and China upgraded bilateral relations to an "all-round, high-quality, future-oriented partnership".