Transcript of Speech by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mr Sam Tan during the Committee of Supply Debate, 1 March 2019

Thank you Mr Chairman. Sir, Minister Vivian outlined an increasingly complex global environment in which Singapore must operate. SMS Maliki spoke on the state of Singapore-US bilateral relations. And I will elaborate on our relationship with China. Mr Chairman, please allow me to do so in Mandarin.

2. 主席先生，明年，我们将庆祝新中建交三十周年。这是一个非常重要的里程碑。实际上，两国的关系源远流长，在建交之前就已经有着非常频繁深广的交流。众所周知，我们的开国总理李光耀先生和中国领导人邓小平先生曾经在1976年和1978年互访，为新中两国的交流与合作奠定了非常坚固的基础。

[English Translation: Mr Chairman, next year, we will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Singapore and China. This is a very important landmark.  In reality, our links with China are longstanding, with frequent exchanges long before the establishment of our diplomatic relations. As we all know, our founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew visited China in 1976 and China’s leader Deng Xiaoping visited Singapore in 1978. These mutual visits have laid a solid foundation for our bilateral exchanges and cooperation.]

3. 刚才，孙雪玲女士提到新加坡第四代的领导人应如何与中国领导人建立密切的合作关系。她也同时问到新中两国如何推动合作，使之更上一层楼。主席先生，传承永续是历代领导人交接的重要任务。去年，新中两国高层频繁互访。李显龙总理、张志贤副总理、尚达曼副总理，以及多位第四代内阁部长都先后出访中国。与此同时我们也接待了好几位中国的领导人，例如李克强总理、韩正副总理，以及王岐山副主席。我自己本身去年7月也到访武汉和长沙，并与当地的领导人会晤，共同探讨在金融以及医疗保健等服务行业领域的合作潜能。

[English Translation: Just now, Ms Sun Xueling highlighted how Singapore's younger 4G leaders continue to build strong relations with the Chinese leaders, and she also asked how we could take bilateral cooperation to the next level.  Mr Chairman, indeed, it is crucial that bilateral relations continue to grow seamlessly from one generation to the next.  Last year saw a flurry of high-level visits on both sides.  PM, DPM Teo, DPM Tharman and many younger 4G Cabinet Ministers visited China.  We hosted several Chinese leaders in Singapore, including Premier Li Keqiang, Vice Premier Han Zheng and Vice President Wang Qishan.  I visited Wuhan and Changsha in July 2018, where local leaders and I discussed cooperation in a wide range of areas, including modern services such as finance and healthcare.]

4. 维文部长在之前的发言里提到的三个副总理级的双边合作机制。这包括双边合作联合委员会、领导力论坛和社会治理高层论坛。除此之外，两国之间的三个政府间的合作项目，以及新加坡和中国七个省和直辖市的合作项目，包括广东、江苏、辽宁、山东、四川、天津和浙江。新加坡和这七个直辖市和省份都联合成立了经贸理事会。这些制度化的框架为新中两国领导人和官员们，包括我们第四代的内阁成员，提供高层次平台，让他们有机会进行实质性交流，携手探讨双方由社会、经济以及政治变化所带来的共同挑战。

[English Translation: Minister Vivian has highlighted three DPM-level bilateral platforms, namely the Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC), the Singapore-China Forum on Leadership and Singapore-China Social Governance Forum.  In addition, we have three Government-to-Government projects and seven business and economic councils with Chinese provinces and municipalities. These include Guangdong, Jiangsu, Liaoning, Shandong, Sichuan, Tianjin and Zhejiang.  We have trade and development councils with these municipalities. These institutionalised frameworks and concrete projects allow office-holders including our 4G leaders and officials from both sides to exchange views and work together to address common challenges in our changing social, economic and political landscape.]  

5. 中国政府于去年在12月庆祝改革开放四十周年之际，为李光耀先生颁发了改革友谊奖章，这进一步肯定了新中历久弥坚的友谊。由李光耀先生倡导的首个新中政府之间的合作项目，那就是中国新加坡苏州工业园区，在今年庆祝25周年纪念。苏州工业园区的开发和建设，开创先河，引领了许多中国内外的类似项目。

[English Translation: The PRC government conferred a Reform and Friendship Award to Mr Lee Kuan Yew last year, in conjunction with the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening up, affirming the robust, long-standing friendship between our two countries.  Our first Government-to-Government project, the China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park or SIP, was first initiated by Mr Lee and will celebrate its 25th anniversary this year. The development of the Suzhou Industrial Park has since inspired many similar initiatives within and outside China.]

6. 经贸合作一直是新中关系的重要支柱之一。从2013年开始，新加坡一直就是中国最大的外商直接投资来源国，而中国也一直是新加坡的最大贸易伙伴。中新自由贸易协定是中国与亚洲国家签署的第一份自由贸易协定。今年刚好也是中新自由贸易协定落实的十周年。两国去年更签署了关于升级双边自由贸易协定的议定书，近一步推动新中经贸合作关系，使之再攀登新的高峰。

[English Translation: Economic and trade cooperation has all along been a key pillar of the Singapore-China relationship.  Since 2013, Singapore has been China’s top foreign direct investor, while China has been our largest trading partner.  Singapore was the first Asian country to have a comprehensive bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China. This year marks the tenth year since its implementation. Last year, both sides concluded the upgrade of the China-Singapore FTA, advancing our economic and trade cooperation to the next level.]

7. 新中两国的三个政府间的合作项目，即之前提到的中新苏州工业园区、以及中新天津生态城和中新（重庆）战略性互联互通示范项目都取得良好的进展。天津生态城在去年庆祝开工建设十周年，而重庆互联互通项目框架下的陆海新通道也发挥了桥梁的作用，衔接“一带一路”中的“丝绸之路经济带”以及“21世纪海上丝绸之路”，并将中国的西部、东南亚和以外的区域连接起来。

[English Translation: Our three Government-to-Government projects with China, namely the SIP, which I mentioned earlier, the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-city (SSTEC), and the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity (CCI), are doing well. The SSTEC celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2018 and the CCI-New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor has connected the Silk Road Economic Belt and the Maritime Silk Road, thereby enhancing connectivity between western China and Southeast Asia and beyond.] 

8.主席先生，在我们回顾两国携手合作所取得的成就的时候，我们也须要推陈出新，我们不能够默守陈规，需要创新求变，开发新的合作项目，从而取得互惠共赢的成果。

[English Translation: Mr Chairman, as we take stock of what our two countries have accomplished together, we must be continue to develop and progress. We cannot stick to our old ways of cooperation. We need to continue to innovate and develop new areas of cooperation for our mutual benefit.]

9. 有鉴于此，我们将会继续地紧密合作，推动有益于新加坡、本区域和中国的“一带一路”合作项目。这些项目着重改进基础设施和金融领域方面的互联互通、三方合作，以及包括法律和司法合作在内的专业服务。

[English Translation: In this regard, we are working closely together in areas relating to the Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) that are good for Singapore, for China, and for the region. These projects aim to improve infrastructural connectivity, financial connectivity, third-country cooperation and professional services, including legal and judicial cooperation.] 

10. 去年，中新广州知识城也被升级为国家级的双边合作项目。我们目前正在与上海就建立全面合作机制进行积极准备。这将是双方建立起七个省市经贸理事会之后，开展另一个崭新的地方性的合作机制。这也为两国的紧密合作，谱写了新的篇章。

[English Translation: Last year, we elevated the China-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City to a state-level bilateral cooperation project.  We are now preparing to establish a comprehensive mechanism for cooperation between Singapore and Shanghai, in addition to the existing seven business and economic councils, thereby opening up a new chapter in our close cooperation.]  

Singapore’s Relations with Other Key Partners

11. Mr Chairman, now allow me to continue in English.In addition to engaging the major powers, we must continue to strengthen relations with other key partners.Mr Amrin Amin sought an update on Singapore-Japan relations, and new areas of cooperation with Japan.Our ties with Japan are close and multi-faceted with frequent high-level exchanges.DPM Teo, DPM Tharman and several Ministers visited Japan in 2018.In January 2018, I led a delegation to co-chair the 19^th Singapore-Kagoshima Conference which is the longest-running forum of its kind that Singapore has with a Japanese prefecture.In line with Japan’s G20 priorities, we are exploring possible collaboration with Japan to support infrastructure projects in third countries.

12. Mr Ong Teng Koon requested an update on Singapore-ROK relations.Our relationship with the ROK are warm.ROK President Moon Jae-in made a State Visit to Singapore in July last year and several MOUs were exchanged to enhance our cooperation in trade, environment as well as Small & Medium Enterprises and start-ups.Both countries also discussed new areas of cooperation such as smart grid technologies, e-commerce, FinTech and cybersecurity.

13. To Mr Henry Kwek’s questions on the Korean Peninsula, as Minister Vivian mentioned earlier, the US and the DPRK will continue their dialogue following the 2nd US-DPRK Summit. Continued dialogue will ensure that the tension on the Korean Peninsula remains within control.Singapore will continue to work with the international community to support efforts towards lasting peace and stability on a denuclearised Korean Peninsula.In the meantime, we remain committed to implementing the UN Security Council Resolutions fully.

14. In the south, Australia is a like-minded partner, with whom we share deep historical ties and similar strategic perspectives. Our two countries share a common interest in promoting trade liberalisation. Bilaterally, our economic ties are strong – Singapore is Australia’s largest trade and investment partner in Southeast Asia. We continue to build on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership signed in 2015. We are exploring ways to further deepen the bilateral relationship at the upcoming Singapore – Australia Joint Ministerial Committee meeting.This is a very unique 3+3 meeting involving the Foreign Affairs, Trade and Defence Ministers. We look forward to welcoming Australia’s Prime Minister to visit Singapore for the next annual Leaders’ Summit.

15. Ms Cheng Li Hui asked how Singapore is engaging the EU. Singapore and the EU share good ties and we marked a major milestone in the relationship with the signing of the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement or EUSFTA, the EU-Singapore Investment Protection Agreement or EUSIPA and the EU-Singapore Partnership and Cooperation Agreement or EUSPCA in October last year, and their approval by the European Parliament just two weeks ago.

16. Mr Arasu asked what we can do beyond the EUSFTA to further relations with key EU members.Complementing the EUSFTA, the EUSIPA will enhance investment and business opportunities, while the EUSPCA will promote cooperation in areas such as education and science and technology.We will continue to work towards the full ratification and entry into force of these agreements.

17. As the EU undergoes a leadership transition in 2019 this year, we are committed to working with the new leaders to deepen and broaden our ties.We will also strengthen our bilateral relationships with the individual member states in the EU.

18. Mr Arasu also asked how Singapore will manage our relationship with the UK in the post-Brexit era.We have strong and longstanding bilateral ties with the UK that exist independently of our engagement through the EU.There are many bilateral agreements which will remain in force. We also recently launched the Singapore-United Kingdom Partnership for the Future to develop existing and new initiatives. As for the agreements with the EU such as the EUSFTA, we are open to having them apply to the UK after Brexit.

19. Ms Tin Pei Ling asked about Singapore’s engagement of Central and Eastern Europe.Singapore enjoys good and growing relations with the emerging markets in Europe, notably, Russia, Turkey, Poland, Romania and the Czech Republic. We have fruitful political exchanges, and ongoing collaborations in various sectors, such as science and technology.We will continue working with other European partners such as the Eurasian Economic Union, with whom we are currently negotiating an FTA.

20. Ms Jessica Tan requested an update on our engagement of Canada.I am glad to report that good progress has been made over the past year.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited Singapore to attend the ASEAN Summit and Related Summits as a Guest of the Chair.A highlight was the signing of agreements on cybersecurity, infrastructure and also smart cities cooperation.Canada provincial governments are strengthening their economic presence in Singapore with the set-up of more provincial offices to promote trade and investments.

21. Mr Desmond Choo asked about Singapore’s engagement with the Arctic Council.Since becoming an AC observer in 2013, we have had the opportunity to engage Arctic experts and policymakers who can provide us deeper insights into the possible consequences that a warming Arctic and the opening of new sea routes could have for Singapore.Where we have relevant expertise and experience, we have contributed to the work of the AC in its workshops and task forces, in areas of mutual concern such as sustainable development and environmental conservation.In particular, our institutes of higher learning have initiated joint collaborations with researchers from the Arctic and Southeast Asia to share best practices and exchange ideas on common challenges such as energy access in remote communities. We have also worked with several diplomatic missions in Singapore from Arctic member states to organise events to raise awareness of Arctic issues in Singapore, especially amongst the young people.

22. When I attended the 13th Arctic Frontiers Conference in Norway in January this year, I spoke about Singapore’s Smart Nation strategies at a discussion on “Smart and Resilient Arctic Societies”. I am happy to report that Singapore’s contributions in this field have been well-recognised and received.Going forward, we hope to involve and familiarise more companies with the growing opportunities in the high north.

Conclusion

23. In conclusion Mr Chairman, Singapore’s survival depends on our effective cultivation of a wide network of partners and friends.Our external engagement, on both bilateral and multilateral levels, has grown dramatically over the last few years.This monumental task requires a whole-of-government effort.

24. MFA will continue to fly the Singapore flag high and strengthen relations with countries and regions around the world to serve Singapore’s interests and also for Singapore’s continued development.Thank you.

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