DPM Gan hails China's potential for growth as he meets top leaders

Both sides reaffirm deep ties and pledge to strengthen bilateral economic partnership

- Yew Lun Tian

BEIJING China remains attractive for Singapore investments and holds very strong potential for longterm growth, Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong told Chinese leaders at separate meetings in Beijing on Sept 4.

He also told Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng, Vice-Premier He Lifeng and Commerce Minister Wang Wentao that he looked forward to furthering the collaboration between the two countries at a top-level annual bilateral platform to be held in Chongqing later in 2025.

The choice of Chongqing as the venue for the 21st Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) meeting coincides with the 10th anniversary of the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity.

This is the third government-togovernment project between the two countries, following the Suzhou Industrial Park, launched in 1994, and the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City, launched in 2008.

Singapore and China also mark their 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025.

DPM Gan, who was on a five-day working visit to China, met VicePresident Han at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse on Sept 4, where he was hosted to lunch.

He told Mr Han that he found Chinese businesses to be vibrant and innovation thriving during his visit to Shenzhen earlier in the week.