Singapore Immigration Life: From November 6 to 7, President Xi Jinping will make a state visit to Singapore. On the 3rd, Chen Xiaodong, the Chinese Ambassador to Singapore, held a media briefing regarding President Xi's visit.
Ambassador Chen Xiaodong stated: "The purpose of President Xi's visit is to strengthen political mutual trust between China and Singapore, deepen practical cooperation, expand cultural exchanges, and build a comprehensive partnership that keeps pace with the times."
During Ambassador Chen Xiaodong's introduction, reporters noted that President Xi's visit will mainly involve three aspects.
The first is the upgrade negotiations of the China-Singapore Free Trade Agreement. China and Singapore signed a free trade agreement in 2008, but this agreement mainly focuses on bilateral goods trade, with zero arrangements for investment and services. However, China and Singapore are currently very important investment and trade partners. According to official statistics from Singapore, China is currently Singapore's largest trading partner, and Singapore has been an important source of foreign investment for China since 2013.
This bilateral free trade agreement upgrade negotiation will be very beneficial for both countries. According to reports from Singapore's local English media, The Straits Times, this upgrade negotiation will not only create more job opportunities for Singaporeans but also provide more convenient conditions and opportunities for Singaporeans to work in China. For China, this upgrade negotiation will be more advantageous, as a relaxed environment in the service and investment sectors will attract more foreign investment into China's service industry. At the same time, by upgrading the bilateral free trade agreement, China also demonstrates a stronger commitment to upgrading its economic structure to global investors. Singapore's Ambassador to China, Luo Jialiang, stated in an interview with Singapore media that the initiation of the free trade agreement upgrade negotiations between China and Singapore will also promote other regional free trade agreements that China is currently advancing, including the "China-ASEAN Free Trade Area Upgrade Negotiations" and the "Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement."
The second is the third intergovernmental cooperation project between China and Singapore. The two governments have already established two intergovernmental cooperation projects: the Suzhou Industrial Park in 1994 and the Tianjin Eco-City in 2008. The location of the third intergovernmental cooperation project will attract significant attention. According to Singapore media reports, this project will be located in the western region of China, with Chongqing likely to become the final site. However, Singapore media also indicated that due to the high level of connectivity among various regions in China and the fact that this project will be in the service sector, it may ultimately be established in multiple locations. In addition to the site selection, the project will also focus on policy innovation and promoting development in western China.
The third is the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Singapore. President Xi's visit will also be an important part of the high-level exchanges to commemorate the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations. In June of this year, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations, Singapore President Tony Tan made a state visit to China. Singapore's Ambassador to China, Luo Jialiang, stated in an interview with local media that President Tan received a warm welcome during his visit to China, and Singapore is also very willing to extend the same warm welcome to President Xi's visit. Luo Jialiang also stated: "The exchanges between China and Singapore are deep and extensive, so the mutual visits and understanding between the leaders of both countries are very important and contribute to the further deepening and expansion of bilateral relations."
In addition, President Xi's specific itinerary during this visit will also include formal talks and meetings with President Tony Tan and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong; attending a welcome state banquet hosted by President Tan; and a private lunch hosted by Prime Minister Lee and his wife, Ho Ching, for President Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan. President Xi will also unveil a local Chinese cultural center with Honorary Advisor Goh Chok Tong and will jointly watch an art performance and visit medical and art exhibitions at the cultural center. During this visit, President Xi will deliver an important speech outlining his views and propositions on China-Singapore relations, China-ASEAN relations, and the current situation in East Asia and the Asia-Pacific. Additionally, the Singapore side will name a new variety of Singapore's national flower, the Vanda Miss Joaquim, after President Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan.