S'pore and China take steps to deepen cooperation, refresh ties

At JCBC meeting, emphasis placed on progress and continuity amid leadership transition

- Yew Lun Tian

Singapore and China took steps to refresh their relationship and deepen collaboration in areas such as trade and finance at the apex bilateral cooperation meeting between the two countries on Nov 11.

At the first Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) meeting held since Mr Lawrence Wong took the helm in Singapore as prime minister in May, progress and continuity were stressed amid the leadership transition.

"With every new generation of leaders, you need to refresh the relationship, continue to strengthen mutual understanding, so that you can build trust and confidence with one another," Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, who took over from PM Wong as JCBC co-chair in 2024, told the Singapore media after a series of meetings held under the umbrella of JCBC on Nov 11.

Leaders from both sides agreed to continue to collaborate and tap opportunities in emerging areas to deliver high-quality outcomes that will benefit both countries and contribute to regional prosperity, a statement from the Prime Minister's Office said.

Mr Gan said he had a "fruitful and substantive" discussion with his Chinese counterpart, Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang, who had taken over from then Vice-Premier Han Zheng in 2023 after the Chinese government started a new five-year term under President Xi Jinping.

Leadership transition notwithstanding, Singapore continues to nurture ties with China, while adapting to new challenges and opportunities.