Singapore and China to work together on global trade plan in sign of better ties
The two countries’ foreign ministers meet and agree to cooperate on the ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ after tensions over the South China Sea
Singapore and China have agreed to work together on Beijing’s ambitious global trade initiative, in a sign tensions between the two Asian countries could be easing.
Speaking after a one-hour meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing on Monday, Singaporean Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said the two countries would strengthen cooperation on the “Belt and Road Initiative”, in particular boosting Chongqing’s transport links to Southeast Asia.
Balakrishnan said relations between China and Singapore “are in good working order, strong, and have the potential to grow even deeper and stronger”.
The comments came after the conspicuous absence of Singapore’s prime minister, Lee Hsien Loong, from last month’s belt and road summit in Beijing.
Relations between the countries have been strained by a diplomatic row over Singapore’s stance on territorial disputes in the South China Sea. In November, Hong Kong seized nine Singaporean infantry carrier vehicles en route from Taiwan on a container ship after being used in exercises. It was seen as a protest over Singapore’s long-standing military ties with Taiwan.