Distinctive features of China-Singapore ties

On November 4, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a telephonic conversation with his Singaporean counterpart, Vivian Balakrishnan.

During the conversation, both sides laid emphasis on the need to capitalize on existing mechanisms and trends to strengthen the bilateral relationship and contribute to regional stability.

Several variables such as shared innovation and emphasis on strong social governance can take existing ties to new heights and contribute positively to world peace, said a statement.

The Singaporean leadership also extended congratulations on President Xi Jinping’s re-election as the general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) as well as the successful convening of the 20th National Congress of the CPC.

The exchange between the two foreign ministers underlines the importance of China-Singapore relations in the modern era, with an opportunity to capitalize on several variables for joint prosperity and regional peace.

The strength of ties, as Foreign Minister Wang Yi pointed out, lies in the distinctive feature of the relationship which has kept pace with time.

The bilateral relationship dates back to the early 1990s which coincided with the warming of ties and trade between China and other ASEAN countries. However, in 2022 opportunities are aplenty.

Firstly, Singapore openly supports upgrading of China-ASEAN ties into a comprehensive partnership that opens up further apolitical trading linkages as was witnessed in January 2022 when both sides lauded the strategic relationship after the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership took effect.

Further strengthening of China-ASEAN interconnectivity and harmony on regional dynamics such as free trade, principles of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence offer great potential to build sound regional frameworks for peace.

At the bilateral level and as a prelude to the 20th CPC National Congress, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Trade and Industry in Singapore Gabriel Lim described the bilateral relationship as a role model for other countries to emulate.

Foreign Minister Yi and Balakrishnan emphasized promoting projects such as the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor which falls under the Belt and Road Initiative and the government to government framework of the Singapore China Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity.

Furthermore, existing platforms such as the Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation, provide opportunities for both sides to focus on innovation, sustainability, upgrading of public health sectors and promotion of digital and green economies.

In difficult economic times characterized by the war in Ukraine and supply side shocks due to the Covid-19 pandemic, meaningful cooperation will help in promoting sustainability and human resource development which is critical for the resilience of national economies.

As pointed out by Balakrishnan, bilateral ties are rich in contents, aspects and variables.

The key, however, is to adopt a forward-looking approach which involves deepening cooperation on social governance. Both sides can jointly promote greater societal cohesion by adopting people centric policies that target vulnerable segments of the population in 2022.

Cross border investments in the biomedical sector and commercial partnerships which have a trickle-down effect on the local populations should continue unabated.

On the environmental front, the development of eco-friendly cities such as Tianjin eco-city promotes greater mutual learning and solidifies joint innovation of low carbon solutions which can benefit social environments and ecosystems in Singapore, China and beyond.

Note that eco-cities such as Tianjin have brought both countries closer as opportunities for talented individuals to undertake innovative pilot solutions are plentiful.

On the foreign policy front, China and Singapore share views on neutrality, respect for state sovereignty and mutual respect. In 2022, such principles provide sound regional frameworks for peace.

ASEAN’s centrality in hosting the leaders’ meeting on East Asia cooperation for example, can promote greater synthesis and alignment of foreign policy priorities between member states and China.

Similarly, the APEC Economic Leaders’ meeting has great potential to positively contribute to global stability particularly in times when greater economic uncertainties are engulfing the globe.

An important aspect of China-Singapore ties is that despite lingering differences over the former’s activities in the South China Sea and discord related to China’s activities in thwarting freedom of navigation as erroneously stated by the Biden administration, these ties have developed.

There is little to suggest that current economic dynamics in the region will hurt the symbolic significance of the ties and even political jolting will not be witnessed.

Singapore’s founder Lee Kuan Yew (LKY) has historically prioritized Asian value systems and one of the architects of China’s economic rise, Deng Xiaoping considered the LKY to be his inspiration. This trend is set to continue in 2022 and beyond.

Moving forward, the relations between a highly developed economic powerhouse and a major power in world affairs is an example that many countries can replicate.

It shows that differences can be managed through shrewd diplomacy and there are higher stakes in moving beyond narrow parochial interests which have characterized the US foreign policy over the years.

Voluminous trade, emphasis on regional connectivity and advocacy for a demilitarized and peaceful neighbourhood are important variables considered by both sides.

What is clear from the exchange between the foreign ministers of China and Singapore is that strong foundations can open up numerous avenues of cooperation. The bilateral relationship can help promote joint prosperity and contribute positively to global peace.

The writer is an Assistant Research Associate at IPRI