Singapore and China Celebrate 35 Years of Diplomatic Ties

This year marks the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and China, a significant milestone that underscores the deepening friendship between the two nations. To commemorate this occasion, the contributions of key individuals and organizations were recognized at the Business China Awards, a biennial event held in partnership with OCBC Bank. The awards celebrate outstanding achievements in promoting economic and cultural ties, bilingualism, and biculturalism in Singapore.

Honoring Contributions to Singapore-China Relations

The Business China Excellence Award, Enterprise Award, and Young Achiever Award highlight the diverse efforts that continue to strengthen Singapore-China relations in various sectors including diplomacy, enterprise, and innovation. This year’s recipients exemplify the commitment to fostering cross-border exchanges and collaboration.

Chin Siat Yoon, a former ambassador to China, received the Business China Excellence Award for his significant contributions to enhancing bilateral ties. Mr. Chin served as Singapore’s ambassador to China from 1998 to 2012 and played a vital role in finalizing the China-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (CSFTA), signed in 2008. This agreement marked China’s first comprehensive bilateral free trade deal with an Asian country and significantly boosted trade and investment flows between the two nations when it took effect in 2009. By 2013, China had become Singapore’s largest trading partner.

As ambassador, Mr. Chin was instrumental in establishing the Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) in 2003, which serves as the primary platform for government ties. He remarked on the JCBC’s role in maintaining ministerial contact, stating, “An unspoken but important purpose of the JCBC is to get ministers from both sides to get to know one another.” Expressing his gratitude upon receiving the award, Mr. Chin noted, “I owe a debt of gratitude to all the leaders I had the honour to serve, and to my staff in Beijing and the consulates in China.”

Driving Economic Collaboration through CCI

The Business China Enterprise Award was presented to the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity (CCI), a landmark project launched in 2015 aimed at enhancing cooperation between Singapore and China. CCI focuses on four key areas: financial services, aviation, transport and logistics, and information and communications technology.

A representative from the Ministry of Trade and Industry highlighted CCI’s impact, stating, “Over the past decade, CCI has boosted cross-border trade and investment, and opened new avenues for policy innovation and enterprise collaboration.” One of its flagship initiatives, the CCI-New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, connects Western China with Southeast Asia and global markets through Singapore. Since its inception, container volumes along this corridor have increased nearly tenfold, demonstrating its effectiveness as a resilient alternative to traditional trade routes.

Looking ahead, the CCI plans to adopt a refreshed strategy that emphasizes connectivity and collaboration in emerging sectors, including green growth, digital transformation, and healthcare. The Business China Enterprise Award underscores CCI’s status as a model for cross-border cooperation, reflecting a shared commitment to building a more integrated and sustainable regional economy.

The Young Achievers Award recognized Angela Liu, chairman of New Hope Liuhe, for her innovative contributions to cross-border business links. Since establishing its regional headquarters in Singapore in 2010, New Hope has leveraged its presence in both countries to foster collaboration and social responsibility. Ms. Liu remarked on the strategic advantage of Singapore’s location, saying, “Additionally, Singapore’s geographic proximity to our core markets in Southeast and South Asia offered a clear strategic advantage.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, New Hope demonstrated its commitment to community support by donating S$100,000 to the Community Foundation of Singapore’s Sayang Sayang Fund, which provides relief to vulnerable communities. The company also engages in initiatives that support talent development and knowledge exchange, including campus talks, job fairs, and research partnerships with local institutions like the Aquaculture Innovation Centre at Temasek Polytechnic.

In conclusion, the Business China Awards not only celebrate individual achievements but also reflect the ongoing collaboration between Singapore and China. As the two nations continue to strengthen their ties, these initiatives and recognitions play a crucial role in shaping the future of their relationship.