DPM Lawrence Wong’s Meetings in Beijing (6 Dec 2023)

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong had several official engagements in Beijing today.

Deputy Prime Minister Wong called on Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China Li Qiang, during which they reaffirmed the multi-faceted and close ties between Singapore and China, which had kept pace with the changing needs and priorities of both countries over the years. They also reaffirmed the substantive progress made in bilateral cooperation following the upgrade of Singapore-China relations to an “All-Round High-Quality Future-Oriented Partnership” earlier this year. Deputy Prime Minister Wong and Premier Li expressed satisfaction with the strong momentum of high-level exchanges between both sides as well as the successful convening of bilateral institutionalised platforms, such as the Singapore-China Forum on Leadership in September and the Singapore-China Legal and Judicial Roundtable last week.

Deputy Prime Minister Wong and Premier Li agreed that both sides should keep up efforts to advance mutually beneficial cooperation as well as, foster closer people-to-people bonds and more business linkages. Deputy Prime Minister Wong and Premier Li also discussed opportunities for bilateral cooperation on the digital economy, renewable and clean energy, and other emerging areas. They also exchanged views on regional and global developments. Both sides reaffirmed the importance of maintaining an open, inclusive, and rules-based regional architecture.

Deputy Prime Minister Wong also met Vice Premier of the State Council He Lifeng. They welcomed the positive growth in economic and trade links between Singapore and China, and discussed ways to further broaden and deepen the scope of bilateral cooperation, including in the financial sector, such as through initiatives to strengthen market connectivity and linkages. This will benefit companies in both countries, strengthen our respective economies, and deepen trade and financial flows between China and Singapore and the wider region. Deputy Prime Minister Wong and Vice Premier He also discussed regional and global economic developments, and ways for our economies to remain future-ready.

Deputy Prime Minister Wong will co-chair the 19th Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) and Joint Steering Council (JSC) meetings with PRC Vice Premier of the State Council Ding Xuexiang in Tianjin tomorrow.

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PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE
SINGAPORE
6 DECEMBER 2023