DPM Teo Chee Hean's Written Interview with Xinhuanet, 26 February 2017: “New Initiatives to Deepen Singapore-China Friendship”

DPM Teo Chee Hean gave a written interview to Xinhuanet ahead of his visit to Beijing to co-chair the meetings of the 13^th Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC), the 18^th China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP) Joint Steering Council (JSC), the 9^th Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-city (SSTEC) JSC and the inaugural China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity (Chongqing Connectivity Initiative -- CCI) JSC.  The written interview was published on Xinhuanet on 26 February 2017. 

The English and Chinese versions of the interview are reproduced below.  The Chinese version of the interview is available at: news.xinhuanet.com/world/2017-02/26/c_129496455.htm. 

Xinhuanet: During your visit to China, you’ll co-chair the 13^th Singapore-China JCBC. What’s your expectation of the visit?

DPM: I am pleased to be in Beijing to co-chair the 13^th JCBC with Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli.  The JCBC is the premier platform for Singapore-China bilateral relations.  Since its establishment in 2004, the JCBC has played a key role in nurturing the special friendship and promoting closer cooperation between our two countries. At every JCBC, we review the wide-ranging areas of cooperation, including business and trade, financial services, inclusive & sustainable development, human resource development and people-to-people exchanges, and agree on initiatives to strengthen and deepen our broad-based bilateral relations.

This year, apart from reviewing the progress of our first two bilateral Government-to-Government (G-to-G) projects at the 18^th SIP and the 9^th SSTEC JSC meetings, Vice Premier Zhang and I will also co-chair the inaugural JSC meeting for the CCI, our third bilateral G-to-G flagship project. Both countries have placed emphasis on the CCI as it is a key priority demonstration project under China’s “Belt and Road”, Western Region Development and Yangtze River Economic Belt Strategies. This was discussed when Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong met President Xi Jinping in Beijing in 2014, and launched by the two leaders during President Xi’s State Visit to Singapore in November 2015.  Prime Minister Lee personally visited Chongqing in September 2016 to review the progress of our bilateral cooperation in the CCI. 

The SIP continues to be at the forefront of China’s reforms and plays a pathfinder role for China’s economic priorities.  I look forward to discussing with Vice Premier Zhang how we can expand collaboration between Singapore and SIP in new areas such as research, innovation and intellectual property. 

In line with our multi-faceted collaborations for the Tianjin Eco-city, we will be signing MOUs in areas such as knowledge exchange, water resource management, healthcare, smart city masterplanning and R&D collaboration in digital media. 

At the CCI JSC meeting, both sides will report the good progress made in the four priority sectors, namely financial services, civil aviation, modern logistics and information & communications technology.  The new Chongqing Transport & Logistics Master Plan will also strengthen and anchor Chongqing as an international hub for multi-modal logistics.  The extensive agenda of the JCBC and the JSCs is a good reflection of the depth and breadth of Singapore-China bilateral cooperation.  I look forward to fruitful and productive discussions on these important initiatives.

Xinhuanet: At the 12^th JCBC on 13 October 2015, your discussions focused on six areas: the third G-to-G project, upgrade of the China-Singapore FTA (CSFTA), economic transition, financial cooperation, cultural exchanges, and the inclusive and sustainable development. More than one year has passed since the third Sino-Singapore G-to-G_ project was launched. What’s your comment on the project’s achievement? Can you update us on the latest development of the bilateral cooperation in the other five areas?

DPM: We have achieved much progress in the focus areas for the CCI since its launch in November 2015.  In financial services, policy innovations have strengthened financial connectivity between Chongqing and Singapore to facilitate economic transformation of the Western Region.  To date, more than USD 6 billion worth of financial deals, including cross-border loans and bond issuances, have been agreed and completed, helping Chinese Chongqing-based corporates to access cost-efficient funding in Singapore. 

Civil aviation connectivity between Singapore, Chongqing and beyond has also been significantly enhanced. Chinese airline West Air and Singapore airline SilkAir now serve the Singapore-Chongqing route with fourteen flights a week.  West Air has also extended its daily Singapore-Chongqing service to Urumqi via Chongqing since September 2016. We are exploring more linkages between Western China and Southeast Asia/Southwest Pacific via Chongqing and Singapore.  We are also discussing a new direct trade route that would connect Chongqing to the 21^st Century Maritime Silk Road overland via the Beibu Gulf and by sea to Singapore, and greater high-speed IT connectivity between Western China and Southeast Asia with a Singapore-Chongqing Digital Super Highway. 

We have also made good progress in the other areas of collaboration on the CSFTA upgrade, finance, economic transition, inclusive and sustainable development, and cultural exchanges. 

On the CSFTA upgrade, our officials have made some progress over the two rounds of negotiations in 2016.  We should work towards an expeditious conclusion of a substantive CSFTA upgrade.  A forward-looking, substantive and comprehensive upgrade of the CSFTA will send a strong message that China and Singapore are jointly committed to developing deeper economic linkages and greater trade liberalisation.  In January this year, President Xi made two important speeches at the World Economic Forum in Davos and United Nations in Geneva. I fully support President Xi’s statement that we should promote inclusive globalisation against the backdrop of a volatile and uncertain world. At the multilateral level, as the Country Coordinator of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations, we will continue to work closely with China to advance multilateral liberalisation initiatives such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), with the aim of eventually achieving a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific that will bring together countries around the Asia-Pacific for mutual collaboration and development.

In June 2016, our Monetary Authority of Singapore announced the inclusion of Renminbi (RMB) investments as part of Singapore’s Official Foreign Reserves in recognition of the steady and calibrated liberalisation of China’s financial markets, and the growing acceptance of RMB assets in the global portfolio of institutional investors.  This year, both sides will further deepen capital market collaboration between China and Singapore.

We continue to have good exchanges on governance issues such as promoting inclusive and sustainable development and managing the social impact of economic transition and an ageing population, through our longstanding human resource development cooperation.  I co-chair two platforms – the Leadership Forum with Central Organisation Department Minister Zhao Leji and the Social Governance Forum with Political and Legal Affairs Commission Secretary Meng Jianzhu.  Since the mid-1990s, about 55,000 Chinese officials have attended various training programmes in Singapore.  Increasing numbers of Singapore officials are also visiting China and exchanging views with our Chinese counterparts and learning from China’s experiences. We face many common challenges and there is great value in learning from each other. 

The Singapore-China Executive Programme on Cultural Cooperation has facilitated numerous cultural exchanges between our two countries.  For instance, Beijing People’s Art Theatre performances in Singapore have been well-received. The National Gallery Singapore has worked with the National Art Museum of China on a joint exhibition.  To mark the 150^th anniversary of the birth of Dr Sun Yat Sen last year, the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall (晚晴园) in Singapore collaborated with The Memorial of Wuchang Uprising of 1911 Revolution from Wuhan on the exhibition One Night in Wuchang: 1911 Revolution & Nanyang (天涯共此时：武昌首义与南洋回响), which I had the pleasure to open. 

Xinhuanet: How would you evaluate Singapore-China economic relations?  What new measures will Singapore undertake at all levels to promote bilateral economic relations?

DPM: In 2015, to mark the 25^th anniversary of our bilateral relations, President Tony Tan made a State Visit to China and President Xi made a State Visit to Singapore, taking relations to new heights. 2017 marks the 27^th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and China.  Our bilateral cooperation has grown by leaps and bounds.  Singapore has been China’s largest foreign investor since 2013.  China is also Singapore’s top trading partner. 

We have been a partner of China’s integration with the global community, including accession into the World Trade Organisation in 2001, recognition of China as a market economy since 2004, participation in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and establishment of dialogue partnership with ASEAN.  Singapore was also one of the earliest supporters of the establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. 

As our economies undergo transformation and restructuring, both sides can connect our economies in new areas such as digital economy and innovation.  To strengthen economic and business cooperation at the local level, we have established seven Provincial Business Councils with Guangdong, Liaoning, Shandong, Tianjin, Sichuan, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang.  These Councils are co-chaired by the younger Singapore Ministers and Vice Ministers, and the Governors and Vice Governors of the respective Provinces.  Through these Councils, we will continue to work on mutually beneficial projects that fit the respective Province’s overall development strategies.  We also hope that our younger Ministers can build lasting friendships with their Chinese counterparts. 

Xinhuanet:  Based on the existing economic cooperation and trade between the two countries, how will the two sides further promote cooperation in social governance, sustainable development and cultural exchanges? Which areas have the greatest potential?

DPM: The characterisation of our relationship as an “All-Round Cooperative Partnership Progressing with the Times” reflects the depth, breadth and strength of our bilateral ties, and the bright prospects for the future.  It highlights the constantly progressing nature of our bilateral cooperation in tandem with our changing needs and interests.  We have consistently abided by our “One China” policy, and facilitated the landmark Wang-Koo talks in 1993 and the historic Xi-Ma meeting in Singapore in 2015. Singapore has been a consistent friend and supporter of China’s peaceful development.  Each of our G-to-G projects, namely the SIP, the SSTEC, and the CCI, and major platforms such as the Leadership Forum and Social Governance Forum, have supported China’s developmental priorities at key stages.    

Our bilateral people-to-people relations have always been strong.  There are many regular exchanges in cultural, educational, scientific and other areas between our two countries.  In 2015, in conjunction with the 25^th anniversary of bilateral relations, the Singapore Embassy and Singapore companies in China raised almost RMB 4 million to build three primary school hostels in the earthquake-hit Ludian County in Yunnan Province.  The construction of the hostels has now been completed, and Ludian students will be able to use them very soon.  The close people-to-people ties were also seen through the generous donation of USD 25 million by Singaporeans to assist those affected by the 2008 Sichuan earthquake. We are a small country, but we have been a reliable and longstanding friend of China, even in times of need.

There is much room for further cooperation on the “Belt and Road” initiative.  Both sides have agreed that beginning from this year, cooperation on the “Belt and Road” initiative will be included as a key item on the JCBC agenda. Singapore-China relations have always been supported by a high degree of mutual trust at all levels, and the JCBC represents this special relationship.  I am confident that as long-standing friends, we can build on the strong foundations and continue to strengthen the special ties between our two countries as we write the next chapter of bilateral cooperation. 

Xinhuanet: Singapore is an important ASEAN member and has served as the country coordinator for China-ASEAN relations since August 2015. Recently, Sino-Singapore relations have experienced some frictions at the government and people-to-people level. We can hear some “noise” from time to time. What is your view of these twists and turns? In which areas should China and Singapore work together to enhance mutual trust?

DPM: Singapore and China have a broad and longstanding relationship.  We share similar views on most issues, and have worked well together to advance these common interests.  But even among close neighbours and friends, there may be different perspectives on some issues, given that countries have different size, history, vulnerabilities, and geographical location.  But the fundamental position of our two countries, that we share a common interest in the peaceful growth and development of our two countries and the region, remains the same. Our common interest in building a peaceful and growing region is much greater than any occasional differences of views.

Singapore will continue to be a strong supporter of China’s peaceful development and constructive engagement in the region.  As country coordinator, we are committed to strengthening the ASEAN-China partnership.  China has been ASEAN’s largest trading partner since 2009, and ASEAN has been China’s third largest trading partner since 2011.  We upgraded the ASEAN-China FTA in 2015, developed several co-production projects in the last two years, and are working to improve tourism cooperation and synergy between the “Belt and Road” initiative and the Masterplan for ASEAN Connectivity in 2017. 

It is not easy to reach a consensus on every issue among the 10 ASEAN Member States and China.  Nonetheless, what is most important is to maintain close communication so that we can expand on our common interests and reduce differences.  We should also focus on enlarging our shared interests and advancing common objectives.  Among true friends, there are no issues which cannot be discussed and no challenges which cannot be overcome.

As country coordinator, we will do our best to strengthen and deepen ASEAN-China cooperation, and I am confident of the bright prospects for even closer relations between ASEAN and China.

Xinhuanet: Singapore is an important developed ASEAN member. What role do you think Singapore will play in China's “21^st Century Maritime Silk Road” initiative? In the process of advancing Southeast Asian connectivity and ASEAN integration, in which areas could China and Singapore cooperate to achieve mutual benefit and win-win results? Singapore is currently discussing a High Speed Rail cooperation project with Malaysia, will Singapore invite Chinese companies to participate?

Singapore is a strategic hub of the age-old “Maritime Silk Road” linking China, Southeast Asia, West Asia and the Middle East. As a key hub for trade, infrastructure financing and one of the largest offshore Renminbi centres, Singapore is well-placed to support the growing number of Chinese companies venturing into markets along the “Belt and Road”.

Singapore-based banks and infrastructural funds are key players in providing project loans and financial advisory for regional infrastructure projects.  In particular, Chinese and Singapore banks are actively financing “Belt and Road” projects, particularly in Southeast Asia.  The Monetary Authority of Singapore is also working with commercial banks and multilateral organisations to develop infrastructure as an investible asset class.  Some of these multilateral organisations such as the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency already have offices located in Singapore. This will help to harness more private capital to support regional infrastructure financing needs.

The “Belt and Road” will also complement initiatives such as the ASEAN Economic Community and the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity, and the various FTAs that regional countries are currently negotiating, including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. 

There are many opportunities for Singapore and Chinese companies to work together on the “Belt and Road” projects in areas such as transport and logistics, mixed-use park developments, construction materials and financing.  For example, Singapore’s Ascendas and China Machinery Engineering Corporation signed an Agreement in November 2015 to form a joint venture to develop industrial and business parks in third countries.  Our officials are currently in negotiations to conclude an MOU on Developing Third Party Market Cooperation, and this will facilitate joint collaborations in ‘Belt and Road” projects.

Singapore and Malaysia have agreed to conduct an international competitive tender for the High Speed Rail (HSR) link between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. Several leaders from Singapore have taken China’s HSR.  Singapore recognises the strengths in China’s extensive HSR system, and welcomes Chinese companies to put in a good bid for the HSR tender.  Singapore and Malaysia will give all bids serious consideration in a fair, open and transparent manner.

专访新加坡副总理张志贤：新中友谊深 共创新思路

       新华网：此次您访问中国，出席并主持中新双边合作联合委员会(JCBC)第十三次会议。您对此行有何期待？

张志贤：我很高兴将与张高丽副总理在北京一同主持新中双边合作联合委员会(JCBC)第十三次会议。JCBC是双边合作的顶层平台。从2004年建立至今，它在促进两国特殊友谊及合作方面发挥了关键性作用。在每一次JCBC会议上，双边讨论广泛的合作领域，包括商贸、金融服务、包容及可持续发展、人才培训及人文交流，并敲定有助于加强与深化双边合作的项目。

今年，除了回顾苏州工业园区及天津生态城的进展之外，张副总理和我还将共同主持两国第三个政府间合作项目 –新中（重庆）战略性互联互通示范项目 – 的首次联合协调理事会会议。双方都非常重视该项目，并有共同意愿把它打造成中国“一带一路”，“西部大开发”和“长江经济带”国家战略的重点示范项目。李显龙总理与习近平主席2014年会面时讨论了该项目，并在2015年习主席到新加坡进行国事访问时一同正式启动。李显龙总理去年也亲自访问了重庆，考察了该项目的发展。

苏州工业园区一直以来都是中国改革开放的先行者，并在探索中国经济发展重点方面发挥重要作用。我期待与张副总理共同探讨如何拓展新加坡和苏州工业园区之间在科研、创新和知识产权等方面的新合作领域。

依照新中天津生态城项目的多方面合作计划，我们将签署涉及知识交流、水资源管理、医疗、智慧城市总体规划和数字媒体研发合作等方面的谅解备忘录。

 在重庆互联互通项目联合协调理事会会议上，双方将汇报在金融、航空、交通物流和信息通信技术四个重点领域的良好进展。双方还将共同宣布重庆交通物流总规划，旨在加强和巩固重庆的国际化多式联运枢纽地位。新中双边合作联合委员会及三个联合协调理事会会议的广泛议程反映了新中双边合作的广度和深度。我期待在这些重要议题上进行富有成效的讨论。

新华网：中新双边合作联委会第十二次会议于2015年10月13日召开。会议重点探讨了中新第三个政府间合作项目、中新自贸协定升级、经济转型、金融合作、人文交流、包容和可持续发展等六大议题。目前，中新第三个政府间项目启动已有一年多，您如何评价这一年来项目取得的成绩？中新双方其他领域双边合作又有何最新进展？

张志贤：自第三个政府间项目启动以来，新中（重庆）战略性互联互通示范项目在四个重点领域内均取得了良好的进展。在金融服务方面，政策创新加强了新渝之间的金融互联互通，促进了中国西部地区的经济转型。迄今为止，双方已商定并完成了价值超过60亿美元的金融交易，包括跨境贷款和债券发行，以帮助在渝企业从新加坡获得更低成本的融资。

新渝及其它地区的民航互联互通也大大提高。目前，中国的西部航空（West Air）与新加坡的胜安航空 (SilkAir) 每周已有14个新渝往返航班。2016年9月, 西部航空把其新渝航线延伸到了乌鲁木齐。我们正在探索开发更多利用新渝两地连接中国的西部与东南亚和西南太平洋的航线。我们也正在探讨一个通过北部湾和新加坡直接连接重庆和21世纪海上丝绸之路的海陆贸易路线。我们还在寻求通过“新渝数字超高速公路”，提高中国和地区之间的IT互联互通。 

我们在其他合作领域也有良好进展，包括新中自贸协定升级，金融，经济转型，包容与可持续发展和文化交流。

两国官员自2016年已为新中自贸协定（CSFTA）升级进行了两轮谈判，并取得一些进展。我们应加快步伐，争取尽快完成CSFTA的实质升级。一个富有前瞻性，实质和全面的CSFTA升级将发出一个强烈信息，表明新中致力于发展更深层次的合作联系及更大层面的贸易开放。习近平主席今年一月在达沃斯世界经济论坛和日内瓦联合国总部发表了两个重要讲话，提倡各国应该在世界动荡和不清晰的背景下促进包容性全球化。我完全同意习主席的这个观点。在多边层面上，我们将继续与中国紧密合作，推进多边自由化倡议，例如区域全面经济伙伴关系 (RCEP)，以最终打造一个亚太自由贸易区, 促进亚太国家共同合作与发展。

鉴于中国金融市场的稳步自由化，以及人民币资产在机构投资者的全球投资组合中日益受到认可，新加坡金融管理局（MAS）于2016年6月宣布将人民币纳入新加坡官方外汇储备。今年，两国将进一步深化新中资本市场合作。

 我们通过长期人才培训合作，继续就治理问题（例如促进包容性可持续发展、管理经济转型和老龄化的社会影响）进行良好交流。我分别与中组部赵乐际部长和中央政法委孟建柱书记共同主持两个交流平台 - 新中领导力论坛和新中社会治理高层论坛。自90年代中期以来，约有5.5万名中国官员在新加坡参加了各种培训项目。同时，越来越多的新加坡官员也到中国考察和培训，提高我们对中国发展经验的了解。我们面临许多共同挑战，彼此学习具有很大意义。

新中文化合作执行计划促进了两国在艺术和文化遗产领域的大量文化交流。例如，北京人民艺术剧院在新加坡的表演深受好评，新加坡国家美术馆与中国国家美术馆合作开展联合展览。为了纪念孙中山先生诞辰150周年，新加坡晚晴园去年与辛亥革命武昌起义纪念馆携手合作，举办了《天涯共此时——武昌首义与南洋回响》特展。我本人很高兴担任此次特展的开幕式主宾。

新华网：您如何评价现在的中新经贸关系？新加坡各个层面有哪些具体措施推动中新经贸合作？

张志贤：2015年，为了纪念新中建交25周年，新加坡总统陈庆炎博士和中国国家主席习近平进行了国事互访，将双边关系推向了新高峰。今年是新中建交27周年。在短时间内，双边合作有了突飞猛进的进展。从2013年开始，新加坡一直是中国的最大外来投资国。中国也是新加坡的第一大贸易伙伴。

我们是中国与全球融合的伙伴。 我们2001年支持中国加入世贸组织、2004年承认中国的市场经济地位，也支持中国加入亚太经贸合作组织（APEC）和建立中国-东盟对话伙伴关系。新加坡也是最早支持建立亚洲基础设施投资银行的国家之一。

新中双方均处于经济转型和重组期，我们应借此开拓新的经济合作领域，如数码经济和创新。为促进地方层面的经贸合作，我们在与广东、辽宁、山东、天津、四川、江苏和浙江设立了经贸理事会，由年轻的新加坡正副部长和各省的正副省长共同主持。通过经贸理事会的平台，我们将继续结合各省整体发展战略，推进互惠互利项目的合作。我们希望这些年轻一代的部长可以与他们的中方伙伴建立长久友谊。

新华网：双方将如何在现有经贸领域合作成绩基础上，进一步推进社会管理、可持续发展、人文交流等方面的合作？哪些领域的合作您认为最有潜力？

张志贤：两国关系定位为“与时俱进的全方位合作伙伴关系”，反映了我们深厚、广泛和稳固的双边关系及光明的前景，也凸显了双边合作随着两国需求和利益的变化而不断与时俱进的特点。新加坡一直以来都是中国的朋友，也是中国和平发展的支持者。我们一向秉持着我们的“一个中国” 政策，也支持了在新加坡举行的1993年 “汪辜会谈”以及2015年的 “习马会”。我们的每一个双边政府间合作项目，即苏州工业园区、天津生态城和重庆互联互通项目，以及主要的合作平台，如领导力论坛和社会治理高层论坛，都为中国在某一阶段的发展重点提供了支持。

同时，新中双边人文交流一直保持强劲势头。两国在文化、教育、科学等领域定期进行交流。2015年新中建交25周年之际，新加坡驻华大使馆及新加坡在华企业共同筹集近400万元人民币，用于建设云南省鲁甸县地震灾区的三所小学宿舍楼。宿舍楼现已竣工，学生即将可以入住。除此之外，两国人民之间的深厚友谊也体现在2008年汶川大地震时。新加坡人民积极伸出援手，共捐助超过2500万美元。新加坡是一个小国，但我们向来是中国可靠的朋友，即便是在困难时期。

两国在“一带一路”框架下有很大的合作空间。 从今年开始，“一带一路”合作将被列为新中双边合作联合委员会的一个主要议题。新中关系一向建立在多层面的高度互信，而JCBC则反映了这份特殊感情。我深信，我们能在新中友谊源远流长的这个坚固的基础上继续加强两国的特殊关系，开拓双边合作的新篇章。

新华网：新加坡是东盟成员国，也从2015年8月起担任中国-东盟关系协调国。一段时间以来，中新关系似乎经历了一些摩擦和曲折。您如何看待这一问题？您认为中新双方应在哪些领域共同努力，增强互信？

张志贤：新中两国之间的友谊广泛而深远。我们对大多数问题持有相同看法，也努力合作促进共同利益。 但即使近邻好友之间也难免对某些议题持有不同的观点。这是因为各国大小，历史，韧性和地理位置的不同。虽然如此，新中两国共同追求国家和地区的和平发展与繁荣这基本立场从未改变。我们力求打造一个和平繁荣区域的共同目标远远超越我们之间的偶尔分歧。

新加坡将继续坚定支持中国和平发展，以及中国与本区域的建设性互动。作为东盟-中国关系协调国，我们坚定致力于巩固东盟-中国伙伴关系。自2009年以来，中国一直是东盟最大的贸易伙伴；而东盟也从2011年开始，成为中国的第三大贸易伙伴。我们于2015年完成了中国-东盟自由贸易协定的升级，过去两年间开展了数个共同生产项目，并且将在2017年努力促进“一带一路”倡议与东盟互联互通总体规划之间的协调对接及加大旅游合作。

想在东盟十国和中国之间针对每个议题达成共识谈何容易。然而，最重要的还是保持密切沟通，这样我们才能够求同化异。我们还应当注重扩大共同利益、推进共同目标。挚友之间，没有什么不能谈的议题，也没有什么不能克服的挑战。

作为协调国，我们将尽我们所能强化及深化东盟-中国合作。我对东盟-中国关系的前景充满信心！

新华网：作为东盟十分重要的发达国家，您认为新加坡在中国倡导的“21世纪海上丝绸之路”的建设中能发挥怎样的作用？在推动东南亚区域互联互通，实现东盟一体化的进程中，中新双方又能在哪些领域的合作中实现互利共赢？新加坡正在同马来西亚商谈高铁合作项目，新方是否会邀请中方企业参与？

张志贤：新加坡是古老“海上丝绸之路”上连接中国，东南亚，西亚和中东的重要战略枢纽。作为地区的贸易和基础设施融资中心以及最大的离岸人民币中心之一，新加坡凭着优越的地理位置能支持日益增多的中国企业进入“一带一路”沿线的市场。

设在新加坡的银行与基础设施基金在为区域基础设施项目提供贷款与金融咨询方面扮演重要角色。中资和新资银行正积极为“一带一路”框架下的项目，特别是在东南亚地区的项目，提供资金支持。新加坡金融管理局也正在和商业银行及多边组织共同努力，力求把基础设施发展成一种可供投资的资产类别。一些多边组织也已在新加坡设立办事处，例如世界银行，国际金融公司和多边投资担保机构，这将有助于提供更多的私有资本以满足地区基础设施的融资需求。

“一带一路”与东盟经济共同体和东盟互联互通总体规划等倡议，以及区域国家正在协商的各项自贸协定,如区域全面经济伙伴关系协定 (RCEP)，是相辅相成的。

新中企业在“一带一路”项目中享有许多合作机会，如在物流运输、多用途园区开发、建筑材料以及融资等领域。例如，新加坡星桥腾飞集团与中国机械设备工程股份有限公司于2015年11月签署了合作协议，成立合资公司，在第三国开发工业和商业园区。我们的官员也正在为开发第三方市场合作备忘录进行磋商。这将促进新中企业在“一带一路”项目的共同合作。

新加坡和马来西亚已同意联合为新加坡-吉隆坡高铁进行国际招标。多位新加坡领导人也曾搭乘过中国的高铁。新加坡认识到中国广泛的高铁网络的优势。我们欢迎中方企业提出强有力的竞标计划。新加坡和马来西亚将会以公平，公开和透明的方式给予所有的竞标者慎重的考虑。（完）

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