Press Statements

Visit by Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Yang Jiechi, 19 to 21 August 2020

Country

China

20 August 2020

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Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs His Excellency Yang Jiechi is visiting Singapore from 19 to 21 August 2020. On 20 August, Director Yang called on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, and was hosted to meals by Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean and Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan.

Prime Minister Lee and Director Yang affirmed the strong ties between Singapore and China, with this year marking the 30^th anniversary of diplomatic relations. They also expressed appreciation for the mutual support between Singapore and China during the COVID-19 pandemic, and welcomed the continued good progress in bilateral cooperation in spite of COVID-19. Prime Minister Lee and Director Yang exchanged views on global and regional developments and reaffirmed the importance of strengthening cooperation within a rules-based international order.

Deputy Prime Minister Heng and Director Yang discussed the substantive and multi-faceted cooperation between Singapore and China. Both countries had worked closely to combat the public health and economic impact of COVID-19, including through the launch of the Singapore-China Fast Lane in June 2020 to facilitate essential business and official travel. Deputy Prime Minister Heng and Director Yang agreed that both countries should work together, and with other countries, to strengthen supply chain and cross-border connectivity to facilitate economic recovery. Both sides also looked forward to the 16^th Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation, which will be held later this year.

Senior Minister Teo and Director Yang had an in-depth discussion on global and regional issues over lunch. They reaffirmed the importance of strengthening collaboration to deal with global challenges and to shape a more cooperative and constructive region. They also visited the Deng Xiaoping commemorative marker along the Singapore River and the Tang Shipwreck Exhibition at the Asian Civilisations Museum.

During the breakfast hosted by Minister Balakrishnan for Director Yang, both sides exchanged views on regional and international developments, and affirmed the positive momentum of Singapore-China cooperation. Minister Balakrishnan and Director Yang also witnessed a cheque presentation ceremony for a charity project initiated by the Singaporean community in China to support poverty alleviation in Pengshui county, Chongqing municipality in conjunction with the 30^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Singapore and China.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

20 AUGUST 2020

Two masked men in suits stand before a floral arrangement.

Politburo Member and Central Foreign Affairs Commission Office Director Yang Jiechi called on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana on 20 August 2020.