Strengthening collaboration in digital economy, renewable energy, and trade relations
On Dec 6, 2023, Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Chinese Premier Li Qiang met at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, marking the second meeting between the two leaders in 2023. They discussed opportunities for enhanced bilateral cooperation in digital economy, renewable energy, and other emerging sectors. Their discussion reinforced the close and evolving relationship between the two countries.
The meeting also highlighted that China is ready to pursue more ambitious goals with Singapore in this new era of bilateral relations, following the upgrade of their partnership in April 2023. The upgraded partnership is designed to be “all-round, high-quality, and future-oriented,” with both nations making strides in advancing cooperation across multiple levels.
Wong, currently on a four-day official visit to China, will co-chair the 19th Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) in Tianjin on Dec 7, where over 20 agreements are expected to be signed. These agreements reflect the depth and breadth of Singapore-China relations.
The two leaders also emphasized the importance of building stronger people-to-people bonds and business linkages. Their discussions covered regional and global developments, reaffirming their commitment to maintaining an open, inclusive, and rules-based regional architecture.
The visit also included a meeting with Vice-Premier He Lifeng, where the two leaders discussed advancing economic and financial cooperation between both countries to benefit their businesses and strengthen their economies. This continued engagement is expected to lead to the concretization of common understandings into tangible projects, further enhancing the Singapore-China partnership.
