Relationship between Singapore and China more important than before amid global turbulence: PM Wong
BEIJING: The relationship between Singapore and China is more important than before in this time of global turbulence and uncertainty, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Tuesday (Jun 24).
Speaking at his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People, Mr Wong said the two countries can work together to establish closer ties and cooperate on regional and multilateral platforms.
This will continue to strengthen multilateralism and the rules-based global order 'for the benefit of all countries,' he added.
Mr Wong also noted that he decided to visit China as the first country outside of Southeast Asia.
This is his first visit to China as prime minister, and he last met Mr Xi on the sidelines of a multilateral meeting in November 2024.
'That reflects the close and steadfast partnership that exists between our two countries. It's a relationship that is built on a deep level of mutual respect, trust and understanding,' said Mr Wong.
'I look forward to building on the strong foundations established by my predecessors to continue building a close, good understanding and rapport with President Xi, to bring our two countries even closer together.'
In his remarks, Mr Xi also noted that China is the first country outside of Southeast Asia Mr Wong chose to visit after becoming prime minister.
'This shows that you attach great importance to China-Singapore relations,' he added.
Mr Xi also noted that 2025 marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Singapore and China.
'Faced with the current international situation of intertwined changes and chaos, China is willing to strengthen strategic communication with Singapore, tighten cooperation and work together to face challenges and bring more benefits to the people of both countries.'
Mr Wong met Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Monday, and will also meet the chairman of the National People's Congress Zhao Leji on this trip.
In Tianjin, the prime minister will attend the World Economic Forum's (WEF) Annual Meeting of New Champions, often referred to as Summer Davos, and take part in a dialogue session with WEF President Borge Brende.
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CNA
27 minutes ago
- CNA
Amid signs of waning influence, what's behind Jokowi's move not to contest top post of party chaired by son?
JAKARTA: Former Indonesian President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo's decision not to run for the top post of a political party chaired by his son is aimed at giving the younger man greater political power, analysts say. They add, however, that without a political vehicle since his term ended eight months ago, there are signs that Jokowi's influence is waning. Since registration opened on May 13 for Indonesian Solidarity Party's (PSI) leadership election next month, all eyes have been on whether Jokowi would step forward to contest, with the former president himself not ruling it out when asked. But his younger son Kaesang Pangarep, PSI's incumbent chairman, confirmed last Saturday (Jun 21) that his father would not be contesting. Candidate registration closed on Monday. 'It is impossible that both son and father compete with each other," Kaesang said at a press conference. The 30-year-old added that he had persuaded his father to give younger politicians space to be in the political spotlight. He deflected a question on whether Jokowi, who turned 64 last Saturday, would join as a party cadre. Kaesang is running for the post of chairman in PSI's election along with two cadres, Ronald Sinaga and Agus Mulyono Herlambang. Members of PSI will vote between Jul 12 and 19, and hold a congress to declare the winner on Jul 19 and 20. JOKOWI TO SUPPORT SON FROM BEHIND THE SCENES PSI, known primarily as a political party comprising young supporters of Jokowi, was established in 2014 but has yet to garner enough votes to secure a seat in the national parliament. However, it has managed to increase its supporters over the years. Kaesang joined PSI in September 2023 and was named its chairman two days later. Questions over Widodo's health have made the news in recent days due to a change in his appearance, but analysts said this is unlikely to have been a factor in his decision not to join the PSI leadership contest. Some swelling and dark spots on his face were observed when he appeared last Saturday to greet birthday well-wishers, triggering speculation over his health. But an aide told the media that Widodo is physically fine and 'very, very healthy'. Changes to his skin are due to allergies he is said to have suffered after returning from the Vatican, where he attended Pope Francis' funeral on Apr 26. His condition is improving, added Jokowi's aide, Syarif Muhammad Fitriansyah. Analysts told CNA that Kaesang will likely continue to lead the party while Widodo supports him from behind the scenes as part of efforts to strengthen his political dynasty. 'This means that Jokowi will maximise his political power through Kaesang,' said political analyst Adi Prayitno from Universitas Islam Negeri Syarif Hidayatullah. Besides Kaesang, the youngest of three children, Widodo's oldest child and son-in-law are also in politics. Gibran Rakabuming Raka, 37, is Indonesia's current vice-president while North Sumatra governor Bobby Nasution, 33, is married to Jokowi's daughter. Analysts said Kaesang will most likely be re-elected PSI chairman. Widodo, on the other hand, does not need to be its chairman in order to have influence in the party, they said. He will likely continue to support Kaesang and guide him, given the latter's limited experience in politics, said Ray Rangkuti, director of Lingkar Madani think tank, which focuses on safeguarding democracy and assessing policies. Nicky Fahrizal, a political analyst with the think tank Centre for Strategic and International Studies, said Jokowi could take on an advisory board role, similar to former President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's role in the Democratic Party, which is led by his son Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono. 'Such a pattern is not new, and former President Suharto also held a similar role in the Golkar party,' said Nicky. 'Because Indonesian politics has not gone through many good reforms, the way political dynasties operate is not much different.' Suharto was Indonesia's second and longest-serving president. During his 31-year regime which lasted until 1998, Golkar was Indonesia's largest and most influential party. Some of his children were members of Golkar, but none held the role of chairperson. Besides PSI, there has also been talk of Jokowi possibly joining Golkar, though no concrete developments have emerged. Following the resignation of its leader Airlangga Hartarto in August 2024, Golkar appointed Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia, a key Jokowi ally, as its chairman. Among other things, analysts noted that Prabowo, who has often stated that his presidential win was only possible due to Jokowi's support, has been meeting with former President Megawati Soekarnoputri. She is the chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), which expelled Widodo, Gibran and Bobby for failing to back its presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo in the 2024 election. PDI-P holds the most seats in parliament and is the biggest party outside of Prabowo's coalition. On Prabowo appearing to be mending ties with Megawati, Ray said: 'Of course, Prabowo is trying to approach Megawati, because she has a party.' While the PSI will serve as a political tool for the Widodo family if either Gibran or Kaesang decides to run in future elections, there is 'still a long way' to go, said political analyst Adi from Universitas Islam Negeri Syarif Hidayatullah. Wasisto Raharjo Jati, a researcher at the Research Centre for Politics at the Indonesian National Research and Innovation Agency, wrote in a commentary that PSI's 'dramatic shift' from a progressive millennial party to one centred around the personality cult of Jokowi and his family has alienated many of its earlier supporters. 'But that shift may have created a mutually beneficial relationship between Jokowi and the political party,' he wrote in the commentary published by the University of Melbourne on Tuesday. 'The only problem is that PSI's dismal performance in the 2019 and 2024 national legislative elections casts doubt on its suitability as a key political vehicle for Jokowi in the future.' In 2019, PSI received 1.89 per cent of the national vote. It improved its performance in 2024 by gaining 2.81 per cent of votes, but this was still below the threshold of 4 per cent to secure a seat in parliament. For now, it appears Widodo has the ambition to strengthen his political dynasty but may not possess the means, analysts said. 'In Indonesian politics, there are three main elements one must have. Firstly, one needs to have a political party or a mass organisation with a large following,' said Ray.
Independent Singapore
an hour ago
- Independent Singapore
‘Yes, you can still become a millionaire even if you're working 9 to 5' — 30 y/o Singaporean shares how he got rich, yet doesn't own a car, and still takes public transport
SINGAPORE: In a city where hawker food costs about S$5, but homes can go up to S$5 million or even more, one young Singaporean has cracked the wealth code—without flashy brands, overnight crypto wins, or what he calls 'lifestyle inflation'. At 30, this self-made millionaire runs a sales agency that pulls in 'low seven figures on an annual basis'. He owns a multi-million-dollar property, but no, he doesn't roll around in a supercar or flash his net worth on Instagram. 'Most people think that millionaires will drive fancy cars, but I don't drive. I take public transport sometimes as well,' he said. This Singaporean isn't just rich in dollars—he's rich in insight. In a street interview with Asian Boss, he broke down exactly how he built his wealth, why materialism almost derailed him, and why anyone—even someone working a regular 9-to-5—can do the same. From a teenager's vow to financial freedom 'I came from a pretty okay family, but in the year 2008, my family really struggled with money, so I witnessed how money disrupted the harmony of family,' he says. That experience lit a fire in him. 'At 16, I made a promise to myself that when I grew older, I wanted to be financially free and not to let my future family worry about money,' he added, expressing that his financial awakening came early. Unlike many who make similar vows but lose momentum, he kept that fire alive. At 19, he entered the sales field, not with grand ambitions, but with a modest goal. 'When I first started doing sales at the age of 19, I only wanted to make a graduate's pay. I never thought that it would snowball into what I'm achieving today, and I'm really grateful for that,' he expressed his gratitude. Gratitude aside, his financial life is carefully structured. He's diversified his portfolio across real estate and stocks and holds fast to a core rule: 'I set aside at least 12 months of emergency funds for personal use and for my business.' The reality of owning a home in Singapore When it comes to real estate in Singapore, the numbers speak for themselves—and they shout! 'I paid S$2.5 million for my place, and you need to put a down payment of 25%, and because I'm an entrepreneur, I don't have CPF (Central Provident Fund), so I need to pay using cash. In Singapore, there's this thing called stamp duty—it's up to 5%—so for a S$2.5 million property, you need to set aside close to S$800,000,' the young Singaporean millionaire explained. See also Couple owning 2 houses say "something not right" with life So before he even held the keys to his new place, he had already paid nearly a million in cold, hard cash. Escape from lifestyle inflation: Goodbye convertible, hello peace He wasn't always this financially Zen. At 23, he got caught up in what he calls the over-glorification of materialism. 'In a sales environment, I think it's very common that they over-glorify the need to buy material stuff,' he recalls. 'When I was really young—when I was 23, I bought a Mercedes convertible,' but the thrill didn't last. 'The more I earn, the more my expenses increase, so I'd say one of the biggest shifts I had is to avoid this thing called lifestyle inflation, where you do not need to increase your expenses despite making more,' he advised. So what does he value in life now? According to him, 'I believe that the best thing that money can buy is freedom. The best thing money can buy is this thing called peace of mind, and I don't want to be a slave to material possessions.' The 9-to-5 path to wealth is still open, but with a twist… Here's where things get more interesting. While many assume entrepreneurship is the only ticket to seven-figure success, he disagrees. 'Yes, you do not need to be an entrepreneur to be financially wealthy today if you have the right money management principles,' he clarified. 'There's this term called being an intrapreneur. Being an intrapreneur means having an entrepreneur mindset without taking the risk of an entrepreneur.' In other words: be entrepreneurial in spirit—even inside someone else's company. 'If you're working a 9 to 5, you could find ways to add value to your boss so instead of getting a fixed pay, you can be remunerated by a variable income,' he shared an idea to think in terms of earning commissions, performance bonuses, revenue-sharing—whatever motivates both sides to win. He then gave an example: 'I believe that a good employee will know how to negotiate with their boss to give more. If I have a team member who can help me make an extra S$100K a month, I'll gladly increase the person's remuneration.' Mindset over market conditions He doesn't blame the economy for people staying broke. In fact, he sees the Singapore economy as a land of opportunity. 'I believe that as long as you have the right mindset, as long as you have the right heart and the right dreams, you can succeed anywhere… unless you are from really developing countries like Africa, where you lack basic infrastructure like water and food.' If you have a phone and internet, he says, 'I believe that anyone can really make it.' So what's stopping people? 'I think a lot of young people have an avoidance when it comes to the topic of money. They are not willing to face reality, and they overestimate their financial situation,' he opined. The self-sabotaging cycle: Victimhood and ego For this young millionaire, the real enemy isn't inflation, bad bosses, or high rent. It's the mindset—and ego. 'I think most people are broke because they have a victim mentality. Whenever something bad happens to them, they like to complain, they like to wallow in self-pity, but the moment you do that, you lose the power to change.' So instead of blaming the world, he encourages young people to take responsibility, even if it's uncomfortable. Why millionaires are getting younger In his view, it's not just possible to become a millionaire in your 30s—it's becoming common. 'In fact, I believe it is becoming more and more possible for young adults in Singapore to become self-made millionaires. When I was 20 years old, 10 years ago, becoming a millionaire by 30 was the dream,' he assured, adding that 'Today, I have seen people who became a millionaire before they even turned 25.' He also credits technology, social media, and the internet for making wealth more accessible, but warns that many are too stubborn to take advantage. 'So many people have a lot of self-sabotaging beliefs and negative mindsets that are stopping them from realizing all these opportunities.' Sales: The unlikely skill that changes everything If you were expecting some kind of magic formula involving real estate flips, viral content, or passive income hacks from him, nope, there's none, so what's his secret? 'I would say that sales has really helped me create my wealth. Everything in life revolves around sales. When you go for a job, you're selling yourself. When you are finding a partner, you are selling yourself,' he revealed his philosophy of success. In short, it's not just about closing deals. It's about learning to communicate, persuade, and position yourself well in work, life, and relationships. And no, he's not doing something shady! Because success often breeds scepticism, he's heard the whispers. 'They think that I'm doing something shady. They think that I got my wealth by doing things that are not legal, and that's far from the truth as well. Because if you're living in Singapore, you definitely need to abide by the law,' he exclaimed. But why does he want to pay it forward? Despite his growing net worth, this youthful millionaire says it's not just about the money anymore. 'I wish that people could also understand that, although we are good at money, not everything we do is in a pursuit of profits. My dream is to share my experience and my knowledge with the younger crowd so that they can also achieve more financial stability,' he shared his vision and was also quick to credit his mentors and the people who helped shape him. 'I have many people in my life who taught me many important lessons, and without this influence, I'll not be where I am today,' he credited them. So what's the real key to success? 'Surround yourself with people who empower you. Surround yourself with people who can point out your blind spots,' he advised, expressing that he himself didn't start perfect—and he wants you to know that it's okay to be so. 'When I was really young, I had many weaknesses. I had many flaws, and to get to where I am today, I had to put down my ego and accept that I'm not as good as I thought,' he reminded us further. Millionaire wisdom: Public transport edition So what does this 30-year-old millionaire want us to know? Make mistakes. Learn fast. Stay humble. Don't chase material validation. Save more than you spend. Learn sales. Think like an entrepreneur—even if you're not one. And above all else: stop making excuses. Because real growth doesn't come from being right, it comes from being humble enough to be wrong—and learning from it. So the next time someone tells you, 'You can't get rich working 9 to 5', show them this story and then hop on a bus or MRT, millionaire-style. Because if a guy who paid over a million dollars in cash for a home still rides public transport, maybe wealth isn't just what you think it is. And maybe, just maybe, the richest life is the one that gives you freedom, not followers. And 'Yes, an average Joe like me can also become a millionaire' — Singaporean, 35, shares his blueprint on how he got rich to own a Lamborghini
CNA
2 hours ago
- CNA
Over 200 foreigners rescued from scam centres still stranded along Thai-Myanmar border
More than 200 foreign nationals rescued from scam centres in eastern Myanmar remain stranded along the war-torn country's border with Thailand, according to a local rebel group overseeing their repatriation. For years criminal networks have trafficked hundreds of thousands of people to scam compounds across Southeast Asia, including many along the Thai-Myanmar border, where victims are forced to work in illegal online schemes, according to the United Nations. Karen National Army, a rebel group that claims to have repatriated more than 8,000 foreign nationals after rescuing them from scam centres in Myanmar's Myawaddy area in recent months, said it was currently housing 216 people, including citizens of Vietnam, China, the Philippines, and Indonesia. "We are giving food and medical supplies to these people," KNA spokesperson Naing Maung Zaw told Reuters on Tuesday (Jun 24). "Some are even pregnant, and we are providing health care for them." Since February, Thailand has halted electricity, internet, and fuel supplies to five Myanmar border areas, including Myawaddy, in a bid to disrupt the scam centres, which have become an escalating regional security concern. Two residents of Myawaddy, which lies across from the Thai town of Mae Sot, said that there hasn't been any electricity supplied from Thailand for months. Power supplied by the Myanmar government has not been stable, leaving much of the settlement – and the scam centres surrounding it – reliant on generators, they said. Thailand's embattled Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said on Monday that her administration was planning to curtail electricity supplies to illegal operations in Cambodia, following a sharp decline in relations between the neighbours. "After we cut electricity and water to Myanmar, the number of complaints dropped significantly," Paetongtarn told reporters. "We've since learned that the criminal activity has moved from Myanmar to Cambodia." The Cambodian government denies the allegations. International pressure to shut down the scam centres intensified following the abduction of Chinese actor Wang Xing, who was kidnapped after arriving in Thailand in January. He was later rescued by Thai police, who located him across the border in Myanmar. Criminal networks, mainly emanating from China, are known to run several of these scam centres, including those in the Myawaddy region, according to the United States Institute of Peace.
