Op-ed by DPM Heng Swee Keat: 新中携手共攀新高峰 (Singapore and China: Scaling New Peaks Together)

Please scroll down for the English version of the article.

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新中携手共攀新高峰

我将于本周飞往重庆，与中国国务院副总理韩正共同主持第十五届新中双边合作联合委员会 (联委会) 会议。此外，我与韩正副总理也将担任新中两国之间的三个政府间合作项目的联合协调理事会主席，共同商讨中新苏州工业园区、中新天津生态城及中新(重庆)战略性互联互通示范项目所取得的成果与进展。

自从我1997年跟随时任内阁资政李光耀先生到中国进行正式访问至今，我几乎每年都到访中国。我有幸见证了中国在推动经济发展及改善数亿人口生活所取得的成就。 

此次访问对我来说别具意义，因为这是我首次以联合主席的身份出席联委会会议。联委会会议是两国之间最高级别的年度双边会议。它也是两国回顾现有合作并开启新合作项目的平台。新中两国都非常重视这个平台，这体现在联委会多年来不仅有来自两国的高层代表团出席，而且不断取得实质性的成果。这反映了新中两国深入且广泛的合作关系，以及双方历久弥坚的深厚友谊。

本届会议适逢重要的历史时刻。明年新中两国将庆祝建交 30 周年，两国也正在各自迈入新的发展阶段。此外，目前全球经济前景不明朗，充满不确定性。因此，本届会议可为两国创造契机，让我们能够探讨如何在互惠共赢的基础上加强建设性合作，更上一层楼。

我将在本届联委会会议着重于三大主题。

巩固基础加深新中友谊

第一，巩固新中两国双边关系的基础。自两国在 2004 年成立联委会以来，历任联合主席的贡献都为联委会奠定了稳固的基础。我要感谢历任新方主席，包括李显龙总理、前副总理黄根成和国务资政张志贤，为联委会开拓了明确的前进道路。同时，我也要感谢历任中方主席，包括原副总理吴仪、副主席王岐山和原副总理张高丽，他们展现了强大的领导能力和积极的合作精神。

能够有机会为推进新中双边关系的未来发展做出贡献，让我深感荣幸。作为联委会的新任联合主席，我将继续巩固现有的坚实基础，把两国的双边关系提升到更高的层面。

这意味着我们必须继续更新现有的新中合作项目，确保它们应两国需求变化与时俱进。例如，苏州工业园区在二十五年内迅速发展，现已成为一个经济蓬勃的现代化综合性城镇，并且在中国其他城市复制推广。苏州工业园区有效的发展模式甚至可以推广到海外，为其他城市所借鉴。

巩固新中关系基础的另一个层面，是让两国的新一代领导人有机会深化彼此的友谊。这次访华，将有其他参与双边合作项目的新加坡第四代领导班子成员与我同行。

除了联委会之外，我们已更新了八个省市经贸理事会的新方领导，这是为了在要确保延续性的同时，也能提供新思路，促进创新。

与时俱进共攀新高峰

第二，联委会应该再攀高峰。随着新中两国进入下一个发展阶段，两国的合作也将继续与时俱进。我们不能满足于至今所取得的成果而保持现状,停滞不前。我们必须继续顺应时代的变化，在未来开拓新的合作领域。

着眼未来，新中两国已经分别制定了重大的发展计划。新加坡有“未来经济理事会”,“产业转型蓝图”和“亚洲基础设施办公室”，而中国也有“一带一路”倡议和“五年规划”。新加坡和中国都有许多值得双方互相学习的地方。我们期待对中国的区域发展战略做出贡献，新中两国也正在多个具潜力的领域进行合作。

新加坡正通过“中新(重庆)互联互通项目”，为中国的西部大开发战略做出贡献。“中新(重庆)互联互通项目”加强新加坡和重庆的互联互通，进而将中国西部与东南亚乃至其他地区连接起来。“中新(重庆)互联互通项目”旗下的“国际陆海贸易新通道”(简称 ILSTC)衔接“一带一路”中的“丝绸之路经济带”与“21世纪海上丝绸之路”，进一步提高中国与东南亚的贸易与投资潜能。

在粤港澳大湾区，新加坡期待同深圳落实智慧城市合作倡议。这项计划加上中新广州知识城，将加强新加坡与中国共同推动数码创新以发展智能绿色宜居城市的伙伴关系。

此外，京津冀地区的天津生态城已发展成为一个绿色宜居的生态城。天津生态城可以为其他城市和地区提供可借鉴的经验和模式。对新加坡、中国乃至全世界而言，可持续发展和环境保护日益重要。天津生态城将继续以无废城市建设试点项目等举措，开创新局面。这和我们要打造一个更可持续、节约资源和具有气候变化抗御能力的未来愿景是一致的。

另外，我们也可以进一步加强在长江三角洲地区的合作。两国除了可以通过苏州工业园区来深化这方面的合作，也可以通过新加坡-江苏合作理事会和新加坡-浙江经贸理事会，以及我在今年五月启动的新加坡-上海全面合作理事会促进双边合作。我期待新中企业之间建立更多的伙伴关系。

这些都是新加坡可以对中国新集群区域发展战略做出贡献的一些方式。

扩大视野开拓区域合作

第三，我相信新中两国可以将双边合作范围向外扩大至本区域。双方可以合力发展本区域的基础设施及进一步激发本区域的经济活力，并为联合国的可持续发展目标做出贡献。

新加坡是“一带一路”倡议的早期支持者。通过联委会，两国确立了深化“一带一路”合作的具体领域。新加坡将继续与中国、世界银行和其他志同道合的国家携手发展可持续基础设施，以满足本区域日益增长的需求。

作为一个与东南亚各国享有长期关系的金融枢纽，新加坡可以在加强中国、东南亚、亚洲和其他区域之间的金融联系方面起催化作用，进而促进中国资本市场的发展和支持中国企业在本区域的成长。此外，我们所提供的各类专业服务和纠纷解决机制，也可以让中国企业从中受益。

新中两国和很多志同道合的国家都致力于维护一个开放并以规则为基础的多边贸易体系。涵盖亚细安(东盟)10国、中国、日本、韩国、印度、澳大利亚和新西兰的区域全面经济伙伴关系协定(简称 RCEP)，不仅能促进本区域经济一体化，还能催化全球经济的进一步整合。

通过巩固基础、共攀新高峰以及扩大合作领域，新中两国可以为我们各自的人民打造更美好的未来。我期待与韩正副总理携手合作使本届的联委会会议取得圆满成功。

 

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Singapore and China: Scaling New Peaks Together

This week, I will be travelling to Chongqing to co-chair the 15th Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) with Chinese Vice-Premier Han Zheng. We will also be co-chairing the Joint Steering Council (JSC) meetings for the three Singapore-China Government-to-Government projects namely, the China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP), the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-city (TEC), and the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity (CCI).

Since my official visit to China in 1997 with then-Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew, I have returned almost every year. I have witnessed the success of China in developing its economy and in uplifting the lives of millions of people.

This upcoming visit is of added significance to me, as I will be co-chairing the JCBC for the first time. The JCBC is the apex annual bilateral platform between Singapore and China. It is an opportunity to review the existing areas of cooperation and launch new areas of collaboration. Both countries attach great importance to the JCBC, reflected by the high-level representation and the substantive achievements over the years. This bears testament to our deep and wide ranging cooperation, as well as our excellent and longstanding bilateral friendship. 

The meeting this year takes place at an important juncture. Singapore and China will commemorate our 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year. Both countries are also entering a new phase of development. This is also taking place against the backdrop of a global economy that is facing significant headwinds and uncertainty. The JCBC is an opportunity for both countries to raise our trajectory to strengthen constructive cooperation on a win-win basis. 

I intend to focus on three themes for this JCBC.

Strengthen our Foundations 

First, to strengthen the foundations of our bilateral relationship. Since the JCBC was established in 2004, successive generations of co-chairmen have built the strong base we enjoy today. I thank former Singapore co-chairs Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, former Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng and Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean for forging a strong path forward. I would also like to thank the Chinese co-chairs former Vice Premier Wu Yi, Vice President Wang Qishan and former Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli for their strong leadership and spirit of partnership. 

I am deeply humbled and honoured to have the opportunity to contribute to the further growth of Singapore-China ties. As the new JCBC co-chair, I look forward to building on these strong foundations and bringing relations to the next level. 

This means continuously updating our existing cooperation projects to meet evolving needs. For instance, the SIP, which was started 25 years ago, has evolved to become a modern integrated township, replicated in various other Chinese cities. The SIP has the potential to be replicated beyond Chinese shores. 

Strengthening our foundations also means paving the way for our next generation of leaders to deepen our bilateral friendship. On this trip, I will be joined by other members of our fourth generation political leadership, who oversee different aspects of our bilateral cooperation. 

Beyond the JCBC, we have also renewed the leadership of our eight Provincial Business Councils to ensure continuity while providing for new ideas and innovation. 

Scale New Peaks 

Second, the JCBC should scale new peaks. As Singapore and China embark on our next phase of development, our collaboration will also continue to progress with the times. We cannot afford to rest on our laurels and preserve the status quo. We need to keep up with the times and harness new areas of cooperation for the future. 

Both countries have laid out ambitious plans for the future – Singapore has our Future Economy Council, Industry Transformation Maps and Infrastructure Asia, while China has its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Five Year Plans. There is much that Singapore and China can learn from each other. We also look forward to contributing to China’s regional development strategies. There are many promising areas that both sides are working on. 

Singapore is contributing to China’s Western Region Development Plan through the CCI. The CCI strengthens connectivity between Singapore and Chongqing, which in turn links up Western China to Southeast Asia and beyond. The CCI-New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (ILSTC) connects the “Belt” and the “Road”, further enhancing trade and investment potential between China and Southeast Asia. 

In the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Singapore looks forward to the establishment of a Smart City Initiative with Shenzhen. Together with the China- Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City, this will enhance our partnership with China on promoting digital innovation to develop smart, green and liveable cities. 

The TEC in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region has developed into a green and liveable eco-city. It could serve as a model for other cities and regions. Sustainable development and environmental protection are increasingly important priorities for Singapore, China and the world. The TEC continues to break new ground with initiatives such as a zero waste pilot project, which will support our vision of a more sustainable, resource-efficient and climate-resilient future. 

We can further enhance collaboration with the Yangtze River Delta region - not only through the SIP, but also through our business councils with Jiangsu, Zhejiang and also Shanghai, which I inaugurated this May. I look forward to more partnerships between businesses on both sides. 
These are just some of the ways in which Singapore can contribute to China’s new cluster regional development strategy. 

Expand our Horizons 

Third, I believe Singapore and China can expand the horizons of our bilateral cooperation, beyond the shores of our two countries. Our two countries can contribute to develop the infrastructure and economic vibrancy of the region, as well as contribute to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Singapore is an early supporter of the BRI. As part of the JCBC, both countries have established specific areas to deepen BRI cooperation. Singapore will continue to work with China, the World Bank and like-minded countries to develop sustainable infrastructure to meet the growing needs of the region.

As a financial hub with long-standing relationships with countries in Southeast Asia, Singapore can catalyse stronger financial linkages among China, Southeast Asia, other Asian regions and beyond, contribute to China’s capital market development, and support the growth of Chinese companies in the region. Chinese companies can also benefit from our strong offering of professional services and dispute resolution facilities. 

Together with many like-minded countries around the world, Singapore and China are committed to uphold an open and rules-based multilateral trading system. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) covering the economies of the ten member states of ASEAN, China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand, will not only facilitate economic integration in our region but also help catalyse further integration of the global economy. 

By strengthening our foundations, scaling new peaks and expanding the horizons of our cooperation, we can build a better future for our peoples. I look forward to partnering Vice Premier Han Zheng for a successful JCBC.