LINE

Text:AAAPrint
Politics

China, Singapore to tap potential for greater cooperation

1
2017-09-20 10:31Xinhua Editor: Gu Liping ECNS App Download

With Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong beginning his official visit to China on Tuesday, the two countries are expected to discuss deepening cooperation in various sectors.

During the visit, which concludes on Sept. 21, Lee will meet Chinese leaders to exchange views on bilateral ties and issues of common concern.

He has spoken positively about the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by China, calling it an approach to closer cooperation between China, its neighbors and its trade partners.

In January 2016, China and Singapore launched a joint project, the Chongqing Connectivity Initiative (CCI), to link western China and southeast Asia through Chongqing, a municipality in western China.

The CCI will develop a more direct and shorter trade route between western China and Southeast Asia, thereby lowering logistical costs, enhancing cross-border trade flows, and catalyzing the economic development of both regions.

Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam has said that the CCI can provide financial services to regional projects and offer personnel training programs to countries along the route. This can be one of the aspects for further cooperation between China and Singapore.

Besides the CCI, there are two other substantial government-to-government cooperative projects between the two countries. These are the China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park established in easter-central Chinese province Jiangsu in 1994, and the China-Singapore Tianjin Eco-city 150 km from Beijing, founded in 2008.

There is also a tradition of longstanding exchanges between the business enterprises and civil societies of the two countries.

With such a long tradition of close cooperation, China and Singapore have been sharing common interests, have gained rich experience, and will find opportunities to upgrade their relationship, which will benefit the region and beyond.

For example, both China and Singapore are supporting free trade against the backdrop of rising anti-globalization in parts of the world. The two are negotiating to upgrade the free trade area agreement, which, at this moment, is more critical than ever.

Moreover, Singapore will become the rotating president of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) next year. If it can act as a coordinator between China and ASEAN, the two sides will have a chance to upgrade their partnership to a higher level and promote regional development.

Looking ahead, for China and Singapore, there is much more to come.

  

Related news

MorePhoto

Most popular in 24h

MoreTop news

MoreVideo

News
Politics
Business
Society
Culture
Military
Sci-tech
Entertainment
Sports
Odd
Features
Biz
Economy
Travel
Travel News
Travel Types
Events
Food
Hotel
Bar & Club
Architecture
Gallery
Photo
CNS Photo
Video
Video
Learning Chinese
Learn About China
Social Chinese
Business Chinese
Buzz Words
Bilingual
Resources
ECNS Wire
Special Coverage
Infographics
Voices
LINE
Back to top Links | About Us | Jobs | Contact Us | Privacy Policy
Copyright ©1999-2018 Chinanews.com. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.