MFA Press Release: Speech By Minister Of State For Foreign Affairs Mr Sam Tan During The Committee Of Supply Debate, 1 March 2018

Enhancing Singapore’s connectivity through diplomacy 

Mr Chairman, MFA has been working closely with our economic agencies to create more opportunities for our people and businesses in Asia, Europe and Latin America.  I will elaborate on our efforts to strengthen Singapore’s connectivity to these partners and International Organisations through diplomacy and trade.

2. Apart from the US, nine of our top ten trading partners are from Asia. Around 40% of Singapore’s merchandise exports were delivered to Northeast Asia last year.

3. China has been Singapore’s largest trading partner since 2013, and top investment destination since 1997.  Singapore, on the other hand, has been China’s largest foreign investor – also since 2013 – while China is Singapore’s largest source of tourists and tourism receipts. Statistics aside, Singaporeans can see and feel the growing economic ties to China.  How are we managing this very important relationship, in economics and beyond?  Mr Chairman Sir, please allow me to elaborate in Mandarin.

4. 主席先生，2018年是中国时任副总理邓小平先生访问新加坡的40周年。常言道：不忘初心，方得始终。连续几代的新中领导人，在开国总理李光耀先生和邓小平先生奠下的坚固基础上，继往开来，推陈出新，与时并进。双方领导人和政府官员通过既定的合作框架，携手并肩、探讨共同挑战、开拓合作的新领域。新中两国不仅建立苏州工业园区、中新天津生态城与中新（重庆）战略性互联互通示范项目三个重要的政府间合作项目，也和广东，江苏，辽宁，山东，四川，天津和浙江成立了七个经贸理事会。除此之外，两国也在文化、教育、卫生、科技、发展智慧国等等领域磨砺切磋，体现了“与时俱进的全方位合作伙伴关系”。

4. [Translation] Mr Chairman, 2018 marks the 40th anniversary of then-Senior Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping’s visit to Singapore in 1978.  Successive leaders have built upon the strong foundations laid by founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and Deng Xiaoping to break new ground.  We have institutionalised frameworks that allow office-holders and officials to work together, address common challenges and seek new areas of cooperation.  Beyond the three Government-to-Government projects, namely the China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park, Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City, and China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity (or Chongqing Connectivity Initiative), we also have seven business and economic councils with Guangdong, Jiangsu, Liaoning, Shandong, Sichuan, Tianjin and Zhejiang.  We also share many other links in multiple domains such as culture, education, healthcare, technology and smart nation development, among others.  It is for this reason that both sides have described our relations as an “All-Round Cooperative Partnership Progressing with the Times”.

5. 主席先生， 未来的世界经济格局估计将会是风云莫测变幻不定。作为贸易、交通与金融的枢纽，新加坡可结伴各方企业进军东南亚、中国、印度等重点市场。其中，中新（重庆）战略性互联互通示范项目的南向物流通道将为中国西部、东南亚以及欧洲提供一条更便捷的贸易渠道。新加坡在提供金融、法律、咨商等服务方面占有一定的优势，能支持配合具有商业可行性的一带一路项目。目前已有中资银行在新加坡发行一带一路的债券。

5. [Translation] Mr Chairman, the global economic landscape is expected to further transform in the coming years.  As a centre for trade, transport, and finance, Singapore can partner different companies seeking to venture into Southeast Asia, China, India and other key markets.  The Chongqing Connectivity Initiative-Southern Transport Corridor (CCI-STC) will shorten trade routes between Western China and Southeast Asia, and beyond to Europe.  Singapore is also well-placed to provide financial, legal and advisory services to support commercially-viable Belt and Road (B&R) projects. Several Chinese banks have already issued B&R bonds in Singapore.

6. 孔子说过：“不患莫己知，求为可知也”。这段话的简义是：“不要担心自己默默无闻。只要我们有真才实学，就不愁别人不会了解和赏识我们”。新加坡对于国际社会的价值与关联性取决于我们是否能够持续创新，求变和精益求精。不少中国代表团三年五载，访新考察、接受培训。中国与其它的伙伴视新加坡为一个具有借鉴、参考价值的案例。这不仅是因为新加坡和这些伙伴关系良好，重要的是我们的政策和方针对症下药，实而不华，经得起时间考验。不过，两国间的互动并非是单向的交通；更多的是相互学习、取长补短，以达致互惠共赢的局面。今天，双方继续通过多个高层平台交换意见，例如新中双边合作联合委员会、新中社会治理高层论坛、新中领导力论坛，和新中法律司法圆桌会议等等。放眼未来，要在国际的局势大搏奕中脱颖而出，我们须要足智多谋，坚持坚守国际法规，还要拥有不亢不卑的勇气和担当。因此，如果新加坡要在国际舞台扮演建设性的角色，继续维护我们的利益，我们就必须要有小国立大志的精神，才能继续广结邦交、拓展国际空间，为新加坡人创造更多机会，拓大视野，立足世界。

6. [Translation] Singapore’s relevance to the world depends on our continued success and ability to innovate, adapt and improve.  Many Chinese delegations have visited Singapore on study trips and attended courses over the years.  We are an interesting case study to the Chinese and other partners, not only because we share good relations, but also because of our pragmatic and time-tested approaches.  However, it is not a one way traffic; we are learning from each other and working together for mutual benefit.  Today, both sides continue to exchange views through high-level platforms such as the Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation, the Singapore-China Social Governance Forum, the Singapore-China Forum on Leadership and the Singapore-China Legal and Judicial Roundtable etc.  Going forward, for Singapore to thrive in the global arena, we have to be resourceful, firmly uphold international law, and do so in a respectful but not submissive manner.  If Singapore is to continue playing a constructive international role and protect our interests, we should strive to punch above our weight, expand our international space, and create more opportunities for Singaporeans to broaden our horizons and establish our global presence.

7. Mr Chairman, now allow me to continue in English. Sir, mutual learning has characterised Singapore’s development journey.  As we push on with our Smart Nation vision, we can learn from others.  Mr Cedric Foo sought an update on our cooperation with Japan and Republic of Korea. As mentioned by Minister Vivian, Japan’s “Society 5.0” initiative broadly converges with our Smart Nation priorities by leveraging on technology and innovation to advance its economy and also to resolve social issues.  We are also keen to develop a partnership with the ROK on innovation and smart cities.

8. Mr Henry Kwek has requested for an update on our relations with Europe.  Europe remains a longstanding partner for Singapore. While the impact of Brexit unfolds, Europe continues to be a key market and valuable partner in innovation, education and skills development.  For example, we are partnering France to expand into industries of the future, such as FinTech, Smart Cities and Emerging Technologies.

9. The EU is our largest source of foreign direct investment. In a climate of increased protectionism, we support our European partners’ strong commitment to free trade. While we work towards ratifying the EU-Singapore FTA, we have also begun negotiating the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU)-Singapore FTA^[1]. I am also happy to report that the Singapore-Turkey FTA came into effect last year.

10. We continue to strengthen connectivity with Europe. Air traffic between Singapore and the EU has grown at an annual average of 3.8% in the past five years. We have launched direct flights to Stockholm and Athens, and will do so for Warsaw and Berlin. Region-to-region connectivity will also be enhanced when we conclude the ASEAN-EU Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement (CATA). With increased connectivity, Singapore will stand to gain from increased investment, tourism, trade and employment.

11. Further afield, Singapore is an Observer in the Arctic Council. Melting ice caps and new Arctic sea routes present both challenges and opportunities for Singapore.  Shipping traffic could be diverted in the long run but Singapore companies could leverage on the emerging sectors in the Arctic, such as shipbuilding and repair, port management and offshore engineering.

12. Mr Liang Eng Hwa asked about our engagement of emerging markets. In this regard, we are tapping on the economic potential of Latin America, and deepening links across the Pacific.  We are negotiating an FTA with the Pacific Alliance (or PA) and with Mercosur soon.^[2] These FTAs will give us access to a combined market of almost 470 million people that accounts for 90% of Latin America’s GDP.

International Organisations and Multilateral Platforms

13. Although the world appears more integrated than before, we cannot take the status quo for granted.  As a small state grappling with forces beyond our control, Singapore must strongly support a rules-based multilateral order underpinned by international law, a point which was emphasised by 
Minister Vivian earlier.

14. Mr Louis Ng asked about our role in the international community. At the UN, Singapore will continue to uphold our reputation as a principled, responsible and reliable country and partner. In July this year, we will attend a High Level Political Forum in New York to share our developmental experience in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals under the 2030 Agenda.  We will continue to participate in negotiations on the implementation guidelines of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

15. At the invitation of the G20 President, Argentina, Singapore will attend the G20 Summit and related meetings in Buenos Aires later this year. Comprising 20 major economies that account for 85% of the world GDP and two-thirds of its population, the G20 makes decisions that affect the rest of us. It is therefore important and also an honour for Singapore to participate in the G20 to offer our perspective and contribute where we can.

Consular Assistance

16. Let me now address Ms Cheng Li Hui’s question about assisting Singaporeans in distress situations overseas.  Singaporeans are among the world’s most-travelled people. Consular assistance for overseas Singaporeans remains one of MFA’s more visible core functions. 2017 was a very busy year. We responded to a number of overseas incidents, including multiple attacks and natural disasters at tourist hotspots. When Mount Agung erupted in December last year, our crisis response team was on the ground to help Singaporeans affected by airport closures. We also assisted Singaporeans who were involved in road traffic accidents in the US, Australia and closer at home in Malaysia. 

17. We will continue to do our best to assist Singaporeans who are caught in difficult situations overseas.  However, we urge our fellow Singaporeans to continue to practice personal responsibility and self-reliance and vigilance as our staff are unable to be everywhere all the time. In this regard, I was heartened that many Singaporeans travelled to Johor on their own to join in the search-and-rescue efforts for our two missing hikers in Mount Pulai recently. Likewise, local Singaporean communities abroad are often the first line of support and assistance for each other and also to a fellow Singaporean travelling to that part of the world, especially when the nearest MFA representation is far away. 

18. And on our part, MFA will endeavour to provide useful and timely information to Singaporean travellers through technology. For example, we provide country-specific travel information on the revamped MFA website, and are working with government agencies and relevant partners to broaden our reach via various platforms such as AskJamie@MFA, Chatbot, and SATs’ travel application.  However, given the free flow of information and disinformation, we hope that Singaporeans will continue to be vigilant and discerning and not take information at face value.  This will prevent a repeat of the false reports about riots in Batam last year that caused a lot of unnecessary alarm and anxiety to Singaporeans.

19. Sir to conclude, on behalf of the MFA family, I would like to thank Members of the House and all Singaporeans for their support to MFA as we advance Singapore’s and Singaporeans’ interests internationally.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
1 MARCH 2018

[1] The EAEU-Singapore FTA involves Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

[2] The PA, comprising Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru, is collectively the world’s 7^th largest economy. Mercosur, which includes Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, is the world’s 5^th largest economy.