20-8-2023 (BEIJING) Singapore is set to collaborate with China to enhance the number of direct flights connecting the two nations, in a concerted effort to strengthen business and people-to-people relations. Acting Minister for Transport, Chee Hong Tat, announced this initiative during a dinner event in Beijing commemorating Singapore’s National Day.
Mr. Chee highlighted the recent resumption of a 15-day visa-free policy for Singaporean citizens traveling to China. Additionally, the accelerated reinstatement of all direct flights between the two countries was unveiled during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to Singapore on August 10th and 11th.
“The Ministry of Transport will certainly want to facilitate and encourage more direct flights between our two countries,” stated Mr. Chee during his week-long visit to China. He added, “We will work with our Chinese counterparts to try and see how we can move forward and have more direct flights to benefit our businesses and our people.” He delivered these remarks at an event organized by the Singapore Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China.
Singapore Airlines, in December 2022, recommenced direct flights to China. Furthermore, in August, the airline announced plans to increase flight frequencies to key destinations, including Beijing and Shanghai, beginning in March 2024. Airlines have ramped up their monthly flights between Singapore and China, surging from 160 flights in January to approximately 1,200 in June 2023.
Mr. Chee, who also serves as Senior Minister of State for Finance and co-chairman of the Singapore Shandong Business Council, embarked on his first visit to China since 2019. During his visit, he expressed eagerness to meet with Shandong’s leaders and Singaporean company staff based in the province, commencing with Qingdao city on Sunday. The objective is to pave the way for the reconvening of the 24th Singapore Shandong Business Council meeting later in 2023.
In 2020, Shandong ranked as Singapore’s fifth-largest Chinese destination for investment, following Jiangsu and Guangdong provinces, as well as the municipalities of Shanghai and Chongqing.
In alignment with efforts to expand people-to-people exchanges, Mr. Chee highlighted a new internship exchange program for young individuals, established between Singapore’s Ministry of Education and China’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security. Launched in July, the Youth Interns Exchange Scheme represents Singapore’s inaugural bilateral internship exchange arrangement with another country. To date, over 100 companies have provided nearly 300 internship opportunities under this program.
Apart from the resumption of high-level visits in 2023, there has been a consistent revival of physical meetings within the eight provincial business councils that Singapore has established with China. These councils aim to foster business engagements and partnerships.
