S'pore-China ties especially valuable in a troubled world, SM Lee tells Xi

Both countries can contribute more to regional peace, prosperity: Chinese leader

- Tan Dawn Wei

BEIJING - In an uncertain and troubled world, cooperation between Singapore and China is "especially valuable", for the benefit of their respective populations, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong told Chinese President Xi Jinping as the two leaders met in Beijing on Nov 26.

On his part, Mr Xi also called for the bilateral relationship to be strengthened, saying that both countries should deepen their collaboration and "make new and greater contributions to regional peace and prosperity".

It was the first meeting between the two statesmen since Mr Lee assumed his new role as senior minister, after stepping down as prime minister in May.

He is on a six-day official visit to China to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Singapore and China's flagship government project, Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP), and to meet Chinese leaders.

Speaking ahead of a dinner hosted by Mr Xi, SM Lee noted that tensions between major powers have intensified and that countries are emphasizing national security and supply chain resilience, instead of economic integration and international multilateral cooperation.

"And it makes it all the more important in such an environment for like-minded countries, big ones as well as small ones, to work together to develop our cooperation to the best of our ability for the benefit of our peoples," SM Lee said to Mr Xi.

Just overnight, US President-elect Donald Trump had declared new tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico when he takes office on Jan 20, with the news quickly roiling markets over fears of a global trade war.

The Chinese leader, too, called for more collaboration as Singapore and China have elevated their bilateral relationship in 2023, and as the two countries mark 35 years of diplomatic ties in 2025.