Important to continue nurturing trust and understanding, PM Wong tells Chinese Premier

Straits Times

3 hours ago

- On his first visit to China as Singapore's Prime Minister, Mr Lawrence Wong told his Chinese counterpart that he hopes to continue nurturing trust and understanding between both countries' leaders, the foundation of their bilateral relationship.
At a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Beijing on June 23, Mr Wong said that the relationship between China and Singapore has continued to deepen and grow because it is a partnership built on a deep level of mutual respect, trust and understanding.
'This deep level of trust and understanding cannot be taken for granted. It has to be cultivated, nurtured year after year, generation after generation,' he said.
'I look forward myself to having this rapport and trust with you, Premier Li, so that we can continue to take our relationship forward and forge even closer ties,' he said.
Mr Li, for his part, noted that Mr Wong made China the first country for his introductory visit outside of Asean after winning the General Election in May.
'This reflects the importance the new Singapore government places on the China-Singapore relationship,' Mr Li said.
Mr Wong told Mr Li he has brought some new members of his government to visit China with him.
'I'm encouraging everyone in my Cabinet to continue to visit China regularly so that we can continue to build and strengthen the close ties between our two countries,' he said.
Among the new officials accompanying Mr Wong are Acting Transport Minister and Senior Minister of State for Finance Jeffrey Siow and Member of Parliament Dr Syed Harun Alhabsyi, both of whom entered politics during the May 2025 elections.
Other members of the delegation include Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations Grace Fu and Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs Sim Ann.
Both leaders in their remarks addressed the turbulent global situation and the need to work together amid the turmoil.
Mr Li pointed out that the world is full of change and chaos, with uncertainties and instabilities on the rise. 'Against this backdrop, I feel that it is especially crucial for China and Singapore, which are friendly and close neighbours, and important partners, to strengthen cooperation and exchanges.'
Mr Wong agreed: 'As you said just now, because we are living in a more uncertain and turbulent world, we should together find ways to cooperate not just between ourselves, but also in regional and multilateral platforms.'
Mr Wong last held formal talks with Mr Li in October 2024 in Vientiane, Laos, on the sidelines of the Asean Summit. More recently, they had a brief exchange in May in Kuala Lumpur during the Asean-GCC-China Summit, which brought together Asean members, Middle Eastern countries and China.
During this visit to China, Mr Wong will also meet President Xi Jinping and National People's Congress chairman Zhao Leji on June 24.
Yew Lun Tian is a senior foreign correspondent who covers China for The Straits Times.
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.