Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan's Written Interview with Xinhua News Agency

1. China has put forward the "dual circulation" development paradigm, and Singapore is also planning post-COVID-19 growth strategies to drive economic recovery. Under this backdrop, what are your views on strengthening bilateral pragmatic cooperation between China and Singapore? What are Singapore’s future expectations for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor?

[Translation: 中国提出“双循环”新发展格局，新加坡也在规划疫情后的经济恢复发展措施。在此形势下，您对中新两国加强双边务实合作有何看法？新加坡在“一带一路”和陆海新通道建设方面有何新期待？]

China endorsed the 14th Five-Year Plan and 2035 Vision document at the Lianghui meetings earlier this month. China would continue to open up in tandem with the expansion of its domestic market. We welcome China’s interest to deepen economic cooperation with the Asia-Pacific region.

Singapore has been the largest foreign investor in China in the past seven years. Singapore companies can continue to tap on the large and growing markets in China, in areas where Singapore’s expertise best serve China’s domestic economy.

Singapore can also play a key role in the “external circulation” of China’s dual circulation strategy. With our strong trade and logistics links to China, Singapore can be a base for Chinese companies to venture into Southeast Asia and beyond. As a key regional financial hub, Singapore can play a key role in supporting the further opening up of China’s financial and capital markets. In 2019, 76% of Singapore’s assets under management (AUM) originated from outside Singapore, and 69% of AUM was invested into the Asia Pacific region.  We are well-positioned to serve as a gateway^[1] for Chinese investors to access ASEAN markets and opportunities, as well as a key node to channel investments into China from the rest of the world. 

The Chongqing Connectivity Initiative-New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (CCI-ILSTC), which connects the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and the overland Silk Road Economic Belt of the Belt and Road Initiative, has enhanced connectivity between China, Singapore and the wider region. By significantly reducing the time and cost of transporting goods between Chongqing and Singapore, the CCI-ILSTC has also enhanced the trade and investment potential between China and Southeast Asia. 

Today, around one-quarter of all Chinese outward investments to Belt and Road countries flows through Singapore, illustrating Singapore’s relevance to the Belt and Road Initiative as a financial hub for the region. Chinese commercial banks^[2] are increasing their activities in Singapore and we have been engaging Chinese banks to increase their regional activities out of Singapore. We are constantly exploring new areas of cooperation that is in line with our common interests and which are mutually beneficial. 

[翻译：中国在3月初的“两会”上通过了“十四五”规划和2035年远景目标纲要。中国将在扩大国内市场的同时，继续对外开放。我们欢迎中国对深化与亚太地区经济合作的兴趣。

新加坡是中国在过去七年来最大的投资来源国。新加坡企业能继续在中国庞大且日益增长的市场，以它们在不同的领域的优势，助力于中国经济的蓬勃发展。

新加坡也可以在“国际大循环”方面发挥作用。凭借新加坡与中国的贸易和物流互联互通，新加坡可以成为中国企业进军东南亚及其他地区的基地。作为本区域金融枢纽，新加坡可以在中国金融和资本市场继续开放的过程中扮演关键角色。在2019年，新加坡管理的资产（AUM）中76%来自新加坡境外，而AUM 69%的投资则投入亚太地区。我们可作为中国投资者投入亚细安市场和寻求机遇的门户，以及将世界其他地方的投资引向中国的关键节点。

中新（重庆）战略性互联互通示范项目-国际陆海贸易新通道把“一带一路”倡议中的 “21世纪海上丝绸之路”与 “丝绸之路经济带”衔接起来，推进了两国和更广大区域的互联互通。通过大大减少重庆和新加坡之间的贸易输运时间和成本，该贸易通道进一步提升了中国和东南亚之间的贸易和投资潜力。

如今，中国对“一带一路”沿线国家大约四分之一的投资通过新加坡。这显示新加坡作为本区域金融枢纽对于“一带一路”倡议的关联性。中资商业银行正在增加在新加坡的业务，我们也和新加坡中资银行讨论增加它们的区域业务。我们不断寻找互惠互利的新合作领域。]

2. China and Singapore have helped each other in the fight against the epidemic. With the vaccine roll-out, the spread of COVID-19 would be under control. What do you expect from the next stage of cooperation between China and Singapore in the fight against COVID-19?

[Translation: 中新两国在抗疫中互帮互助。随着疫苗的接种，新冠疫情蔓延趋势应得到控制。您对中新两国下一步抗疫合作有何期待？]

Singapore and China have been in close touch to share experiences and provide mutual assistance to each other since the COVID-19 outbreak. A friend in need is a friend indeed.

Public health cooperation was included as a new pillar in the agenda of the 16th Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) co-chaired by DPM Heng Swee Keat and Vice Premier Han Zheng in December last year. Two of the ten Memoranda of Understanding (MOU)/Agreements concluded at the 16th JCBC were related to public health cooperation.

We welcome China’s recent proposal on mutual recognition of health certificates. This is a timely initiative as our two countries have begun vaccination programmes.  These health certificates would be an important enabler for the safe resumption of cross-border travel while protecting public health. It is important that we work together early to ensure that the systems are interoperable.

[翻译：疫情爆发以来，新中两国一直保持紧密联系，分享经验，相互支持。这体现了“患难见真情”。

去年12月，在由王瑞杰副总理和韩正副总理共同主持的新中双边合作联合委员会会议(JCBC Meeting)上 ，公共卫生合作被纳入会议议程 。双方在会议上所签署的10项合作备忘录与协定中，有两份与公共卫生有关。

我们欢迎中方近期提出国际旅行健康证明的建议。中方的建议恰逢两国开始推广疫苗接种规划。该健康证明将有利于安全恢复跨国界旅游以及保障公共卫生安全。重要的是，我们应该尽早沟通合作，以确保我们所建立的任何系统可相互操作。]

3. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of China-ASEAN dialogue relations. How do you comment on the current China-ASEAN relations and the outlook for future development? How do you view further strengthening regional cooperation and upholding multilateralism?

[Translation: 今年是中国—东盟建立对话关系30周年，您如何评价中国—东盟关系现状，并展望未来发展。对进一步加强区域合作、坚持多边主义有何看法？]

We are celebrating the 30th anniversary of ASEAN and China dialogue relations this year. China is one of the Strategic Dialogue Partners with which ASEAN has the most substantial cooperation. Over the past decade, two-way trade and investment have grown steadily. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, both sides have continued to make progress in economic cooperation. According to China’s data, ASEAN has also become China’s largest trading partner in 2020. 

To further deepen economic ties, both sides are currently working to enhance the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA) to ensure that ASEAN-China economic cooperation remains “fit for purpose” in a post-pandemic world. This upgrade seeks to incorporate new priorities and opportunities from the pandemic, such as digital economy, public health and reduction of non-tariff measures, amongst others.

Besides fortifying existing economic cooperation avenues, ASEAN and China have been working closely to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic by upholding cross-border trade, open markets, and supply chain connectivity. We should also explore how China can continue to support ASEAN’s work to boost connectivity, digitalisation and economic recovery in the region through existing programmes such as the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025 and ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN). 

Singapore and China share common interests in keeping trade free, open and inclusive. We have all benefitted from an integrated global economy. Given the current circumstances, the global economy can recover faster if countries commit to cooperate and keep trade links open.

From a regional perspective, we are heartened that the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement was signed in November 2020 by ASEAN and five other countries, including China. Trade Agreements such as RCEP and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) are important avenues to further deepen regional integration and cooperation. When RCEP comes into force, it will send a strong signal that our region remains committed to free and open trade. At the same time, the door remains open for other like-minded partners to join us.

[翻译：亚细安与中国今年庆祝建立对话关系30周年。中国是亚细安战略对话伙伴中，具有最实质性合作的成员之一。在过去十年里，新中双向贸易与投资稳固增长。即便是在冠病疫情期间，双方仍继续在经济方面加深合作。据中国数据显示，亚细安在2020年成为中国最大的贸易伙伴。

双方正合作提升“亚细安-中国自由贸易协定”，确保它在后冠病时代依旧发挥作用，促进双边经贸合作。这项提升有助于我们结合疫情所带来的新重点和机遇，例如在数码经济、公共卫生以及减低非关税措施等方面。

除了加强现有的经济合作渠道，亚细安和中国也一直密切合作维护跨境贸易、保持市场开放，并确保供应链联通，以缓解疫情的影响。我们还应该探讨中国如何通过如《亚细安互联互通总体计划2025》与《亚细安智慧城市网络》等现有计划，继续支持亚细安为促进本区域连通性、数字化和经济复苏的工作。

新中两国在保持贸易自由、开放与包容性方面有共同利益。我们都是全球一体化经济的受益者。以目前的情况，各国若承诺相互合作与保持贸易链开放，将有助于全球经济更迅速的复苏。

从区域性的角度，我们乐于见证亚细安与包括中国在内的其他五个国家于2020年11月签署了《区域全面经济伙伴关系协定》。《区域全面经济伙伴关系协定》和《跨太平洋伙伴全面进展协定》等贸易协定是加深区域整合与合作的重要途径。《区域全面经济伙伴关系协定》生效后，将充分展示本区域保持贸易自由与开放的决心。与此同时，对于其他志同道合的伙伴，参与协定的门是敞开的。]

4. You will visit Wuyishan in Fujian province on this trip. Wuyishan area is a key area for poverty alleviation, with achievements in targeted poverty alleviation and industrial development. China is poised to complete building a moderately prosperous society in all respects this year. How do you comment on China's decisive victory in poverty alleviation?

[Translation: 您这次访问将去福建武夷山。武夷山是扶贫攻坚的重点地区，精准扶贫、产业扶贫取得成效。今年是中国全面建成小康社会之年，您如何评价中国脱贫攻坚的决定性胜利?]

China has made enormous progress in its poverty alleviation efforts by lifting hundreds of millions out of poverty and achieving its First Centennial Goal of a “moderately prosperous society”. We congratulate China for an achievement that is unprecedented in human history.

We are happy that our trade, investment and mutual support for development over the decades have also contributed to China’s poverty alleviation efforts. To commemorate the 30th anniversary of Singapore-China relations in 2020, the Singaporean community in China have raised funds to construct a dormitory for Anzi Town Primary School located in Pengshui County, Chongqing Municipality. The dormitory has been completed, and students have moved in since last December. 

[翻译：中国在扶贫方面取得了重大进展，成功使数亿人摆脱贫困，实现了“全面建成小康社会”的百年奋斗目标。这是史无前例的成就。为此，我们对中国表示祝贺。

我们很高兴在过去数十年里，通过贸易、投资，以及相互提供支持等方面，为中国的扶贫工作尽一份薄力。2020年为纪念新加坡和中国建交30周年，在华新加坡社群助力重庆彭水县鞍子镇小学筹建校舍。宿舍楼已完工，学生们也在去年12月份开始入住。]

5. China's 14th Five-Year Plan proposes a new development philosophy. Under this new development philosophy, green development is an important aspect. Fujian is the first National Ecological Civilization Pilot Zone in China. Wuyishan is spectacularly beautiful, and I believe you will enjoy the greenery there. Singapore, as a garden city, also attaches great importance to ecological development. The Singapore Green Plan 2030 was announced not long ago. What are your opinions on China's new development philosophy and the cooperation between the two countries in green and sustainable development?

[Translation: 中国“十四五”规划提出坚持新发展理念。在新发展理念中，绿色发展是一个重要方面。福建是中国首个国家生态文明试验区，武夷山水清水秀，相信你会在那里感受到绿意盎然。新加坡作为花园城市，也十分重视生态建设，不久前公布了2030年绿色发展蓝图。您对中国的新发展理念和两国在绿色与可持续发展方面的合作有何看法？]

The Singapore Green Plan 2030, a whole-of-nation movement for the next phase of sustainable development of Singapore was unveiled in February this year. The Green Plan charts ambitious and concrete targets over the next ten years, strengthening Singapore’s commitments under the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and Paris Agreement, and positioning us to achieve our long-term net-zero emissions aspiration as soon as viable. The Green Plan will strengthen Singapore’s economic, climate and resource resilience, bring new business and job opportunities as we make Singapore a greener and fairer society that enhances our legacy for future generations. Under its 14th Five Year Plan, China has similarly placed importance on the promotion of green development and facilitating the harmonious co-existence between human and nature. 

Singapore and China have made green and sustainable development one of our cooperation priorities long before this latest plan. The Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-city (SSTEC), one of our three Government-to-Government projects, is a good example. The SSTEC has been a successful model for China’s sustainable development since 2008.

The SSTEC project has continued to make good progress despite the COVID-19 outbreak and remains a leading smart and eco-city. We are deepening our collaboration on the SSTEC by supporting high-quality development in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and promoting the replication of the SSTEC’s development experience to other cities in China and countries along the Belt and Road Initiative.

Sustainable development and environmental protection will be increasingly important to our future. Even as we address the immediate challenges posed by COVID-19, we should also consider long-term sustainability and resiliency of our environment and food supplies through a green recovery. To advance cooperation in key areas such as climate change, circular economy and biodiversity, Singapore and China adopted a Joint Paper on Enhancing Environmental Cooperation in the Post-COVID-19 Era at the 16th JCBC last December. This cooperation will extend to ASEAN given the designation of 2021 as the ASEAN-China Year of Sustainable Development Cooperation. The Singapore Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment will also enhance technical exchanges on food safety standards and regulations to enhance food security through the new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with PRC State Administration of Market Regulation.

[翻译：新加坡在今年2月份公布了2030年新加坡绿色发展蓝图，旨在推进我国永续发展下阶段的目标。绿色发展蓝图为往后的10年制定了明确的目标，有助我国加快实现净零排放的长期目标，更好履行在联合国2030年可持续发展议程和巴黎气候协定下所许下的承诺。绿色发展蓝图将增强我国在经济、气候以及资源的韧性、带来新的商业和就业契机，并为国人打造更环保与公平的家园，造福我们下一代。 “十四五”规划同样体现了中国对推动绿色发展和促进人与自然和谐共生的高度重视。 

在此计划以前，新加坡和中国已把绿色可持续发展作为合作的重点之一。作为两国政府间三大合作项目之一的中新天津生态城就是一个好例子。自2008年以来，天津生态城为中国的可持续发展进程提供成功的典型示范。

尽管冠病疫情来袭，天津生态城的发展形势仍积极向好并保持绿色智慧城市的领先地位。我们将进一步深化天津生态城的合作，继续支持京津冀区域高质量发展，并将天津生态城打造成可复制的合作典范，推广到中国其他城市和一带一路沿线国家的城市。

永续发展和绿色环保在未来会越来越重要。即便在应对眼前的疫情挑战，我们也应该同时考虑到如何通过绿色复苏实现长期永续发展、加强生态环境韧性，并保障食品供应充足。为了促进在气候变化、循环经济和生物多样性等重点领域上的合作，新加坡和中国于去年12月在第16届新中双边合作联合委员会会议上通过了一份有关在后疫情时代加强环境合作的联合文件。2021年是亚细安—中国的可持续发展合作年，相信绿色发展的合作必将会延伸到整个亚细安地区。新加坡永续发展与环境部还将通过与中国国家市场监督管理总局的新谅解备忘录，加强双边有关食品安全标准和条例的技术性交流，提升保障国家粮食安全的能力。]

[1] According to MAS’ 2019 Singapore Asset Management Survey, Singapore continues to serve as the Global-Asia Pacific gateway for asset managers and investors.

[翻译: 根据新加坡金融管理局《2019年新加坡资产管理调查》显示，新加坡仍是资产管理者和投资者进军全球亚太的门户。]

[2] China Construction Bank was awarded a qualifying full bank (QFB) licence by MAS in Dec 2020.

[翻译: 中国建设银行于2020年12月受新加坡金融管理局颁发了特准全面银行执照。]