- PM Wong and Premier Li pledge to deepen cooperation and bilateral ties.
- Singapore adds eighth green and digital shipping corridor to global network.
- Bilateral trade reaches $170 billion as China remains the top trading partner.
Singapore and China have come together to create a national green and digital shipping corridor, with the goal of making maritime routes between the two nations more eco-friendly and tech-savvy. This memorandum of understanding (MOU) was one of eight agreements signed on October 25 during Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s official visit to Singapore, where both countries committed to strengthening their cooperation and bilateral ties, reports The Straits Times.
Leaders Reaffirm Strong Bilateral Relations
Premier Li Qiang, on his first visit to Singapore as Premier, was welcomed by a guard of honour at Parliament House. During a meeting between both delegations, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said: “We would like to see how we can deepen our cooperation further, and also how we can work together to uphold the key principles of free trade and the rules-based multilateral order.”
Premier Li said he looked forward to further strengthening ties, noting that China is willing to collaborate with Singapore to support the modernisation of both nations and contribute to peace and stability in the region. He highlighted the upgrade of bilateral relations in 2023 to an “all-round high-quality future-oriented partnership”, with new strategic plans agreed between PM Wong and President Xi Jinping in June 2025.
Updates on Economic and Regional Developments
During the meeting, Mr Li updated PM Wong on the outcomes from the Fourth Plenary Session, sharing insights into China’s new five-year economic and social development strategy. PM Wong expressed optimism about China’s long-term growth potential, and the two leaders also shared perspectives on various regional and international issues. PM Wong reiterated Singapore’s support for China’s Global Development Initiative (GDI) and expressed a willingness to work with other nations in the GDI “Group of Friends.” They also touched on cross-strait developments, with PM Wong reaffirming Singapore’s “One China” policy and its stance against Taiwan independence.
Expansion of Maritime Collaboration
This new national shipping corridor builds on the existing partnerships between Singapore and the Tianjin municipality, as well as Shandong province, which are already testing digital solutions and alternative fuels along trade routes. Under the Singapore–Tianjin corridor, both parties are collaborating on research into green methanol, a more environmentally friendly marine fuel, while the Shandong partnership is focused on enhancing digital data exchange to expedite port clearances.
Growing Network of Green Shipping Corridors
This initiative adds to Singapore’s impressive portfolio of seven existing green and digital shipping corridors around the globe, which include partnerships with Los Angeles, Long Beach, Rotterdam, Japan, Australia, and, most recently, India. Since 2013, China has been Singapore’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade projected to hit $170 billion in 2024, marking a 1.8% increase from the previous year.
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Source: The Straits Times
