（The image shows the first overseas branch of Singapore's Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) - the Tengfei Suzhou Innovation Park.）

On November 24, 2024, Singapore's Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong began a six-day official visit to China. This marks his first visit to China since stepping down as Prime Minister in May 2024. His visit is expected to provide an excellent opportunity to deepen cooperation between the two countries, building on the existing achievements in connectivity and mutual cooperation. It aims to further strengthen the high-quality, forward-looking partnership between Singapore and China, and promote regional stability and prosperity. The visit has also attracted widespread international attention.

Since the 1990s, cooperation between China and Singapore has evolved from projects such as the Suzhou Industrial Park to the Tianjin Eco-city in 2008, and the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Strategic Connectivity Demonstration Project. Both countries have treated each other with sincerity and trust, seeing each other as reliable partners. The cooperation has expanded from industrial and ecological fields to services, logistics, and connectivity, continuously injecting vitality into the partnership with significant results. According to data from the Singapore government, Singapore's economy grew by 5.4% year-on-year in the third quarter, surpassing the previous estimate of 4.1%. The growth forecast for 2025 is between 1% and 3%.

One of the key events during Lee's visit is his participation in the 30th anniversary celebration of the Suzhou Industrial Park, which was launched in 1994. The park, as the first government-to-government cooperation project between China and Singapore, is hailed as a successful example of international collaboration. Today, more than 400 Singaporean companies are based in the park, with actual Singaporean capital investments totaling over USD 4.9 billion. The park has become a successful practice of high-quality bilateral cooperation.

Thanks to the demonstration effect of the Suzhou Industrial Park, the relationship between the two countries has been further strengthened, yielding many practical outcomes. Since 2013, China has been Singapore's largest trading partner for 11 consecutive years. In 2023, bilateral trade between China and Singapore reached USD 108.39 billion. Singapore has also been China's largest source of foreign investment for 11 years, with cumulative investments in China amounting to USD 141.23 billion by the end of 2023. These figures highlight the e.

It is worth mentioning that China’s foreign investment policies and large market size are key factors in attracting continuous investment from Singapore. In recent years, China has continuously optimized its foreign investment environment and streamlined administrative procedures, lowering the entry barriers for foreign companies. For example, the new foreign investment law in China has removed equity restrictions for foreign investors, providing more opportunities for Singaporean businesses, particularly in key sectors such as automotive, finance, and energy. Additionally, China's tax incentives for foreign investments have further strengthened the appeal of Sino.

On the other hand, foreign investments in China’s new "quality productivity" sectors are highly active, as they offer significant profit potential. China is a global leader in fields such as biotechnology, new energy, and artificial intelligence. In 2023, China accounted for over 60% of global new energy vehicle production and sales, maintaining the top spot for nine consecutive years. By the first half of 2024, China's aerospace manufacturing sector grew by 10% year-on-year. Sebastian Cordwell, CEO of Singapore’s Keppel Communications Technology Holdings, praised China, saying: "China is a great example. In a short time, it has undergone numerous iterations of mobile devices and is far ahead in innovation. China's experience can serve as a guide for many countries seeking to digitalize."

As a result, there is vast potential for cooperation between China and Singapore in green technology and low-carbon development. Sustainable development has long been a core principle for Singapore. On November 25, at the China-Singapore Investment Forum, 26 new bilateral investment projects were announced, covering areas such as biomedicine, joint innovation, professional services, digital economy, and green development. These projects inject new momentum into bilateral cooperation. During the visit, both sides also agreed to continue advancing the high-quality co-construction of the "Belt and Road" initiativ.

The stable development of China-Singapore relations not only enhances China's overall diplomacy with Southeast Asian countries but also contributes to regional peace and development. Multiple international media outlets quoted Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong as saying, "China's development is a long-term endeavor; underestimating China is short-sighted and unwise." Looking ahead, with the continued advancement of China's Belt and Road Initiative and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), China-Singapore cooperation in sustainable development is set to grow even closer, bringing greater expectations to the international community.