Chinese Premier Li Qiang (left) with Acting President Eddie Teo at the Istana on Oct 26. - MDDI
SINGAPORE: Chinese Premier Li Qiang wrapped up a two-day official visit to Singapore on Oct 26 with a call on Acting President Eddie Teo and a roundtable with Singapore and Chinese business leaders.
Both Li and Teo reaffirmed the strong bilateral ties forged over the past 35 years and “welcomed the steady and substantive growth in cooperation” between the two countries across various sectors, said Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in a statement.
Teo, chairman of the Council of Presidential Advisers, is standing in for President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who is overseas on leave.
Li and Teo “discussed the importance of further deepening collaboration, leveraging existing bilateral platforms and projects, while also strengthening regional engagement through Asean”, the MFA statement said.
They also exchanged views on regional and international developments.
Also on Oct 26, Li attended the Singapore-China Business Roundtable hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, who is also Minister for Trade and Industry.
Gan encouraged businesses from both countries to pursue opportunities in emerging sectors of mutual interest. He noted that the partnership between Singapore and China continues to strengthen, even as global trade patterns shift and supply chains reconfigure.
“The strength of our partnership lies not only in policies and platforms, but in people, including our entrepreneurs and business leaders on both sides, who have built enduring trust between them,” he said.
Gan pointed out that as both societies age, eldercare is a promising new area of collaboration. Singaporean and Chinese companies can also jointly venture into South-East Asian projects in infrastructure, green energy and digital innovation.
China will be the chair for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation in 2026, while Singapore will chair Asean in 2027. Gan said both countries can use these platforms to advance their shared vision of regional cooperation and stability.
Companies from Singapore and China shared their perspectives on opportunities and challenges in operating across both markets.
Li’s visit marked the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Singapore and China. It was the first trip to Singapore by a Chinese premier in seven years, following the late Li Keqiang’s visit in 2018.
On Oct 25, Li met Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who expressed Singapore’s confidence in China’s overall long-term trajectory and development prospects. Both leaders witnessed the exchange of eight agreements to deepen cooperation, including the establishment of a national green and digital shipping corridor.
Li has left Singapore for Malaysia to attend the 47th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur. - The Straits Times/ANN
