MFA Press Statement: Visit by Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong to the People's Republic of China, 2 to 8 April 2013

Emeritus Senior Minister (ESM) Goh Chok Tong met Guangdong Party Secretary Hu Chunhua this afternoon.  ESM and Party Secretary Hu reaffirmed the extensive and close ties between Singapore and Guangdong Province and discussed ways in which Singapore and Guangdong could enhance bilateral cooperation. 

Party Secretary Hu also noted the good progress of the Sino-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City (GKC).  He expressed support for the GKC as an important platform to enhance bilateral cooperation with Singapore, and as a model for development to transform Guangdong Province.

ESM and Party Secretary Hu acknowledged that Singapore and China had cooperated closely in the area of human resource development, and that many Chinese officials had attended training programmes in Singapore.  ESM said that Singapore would be happy to customise study visits and training programmes for Guangdong officials in areas that are relevant and useful to them.  Party Secretary Hu welcomed this offer.  ESM also invited Party Secretary Hu to visit Singapore at a time of his convenience.

Guangzhou Party Secretary Wan Qingliang hosted ESM and his delegation to dinner.  ESM and Party Secretary Wan exchanged views on Guangzhou’s development challenges and the GKC.  Party Secretary Wan also expressed strong support for the GKC as one of the key development projects for Guangzhou.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

3 APRIL 2013