16-11-2024 (LIMA) Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has held his inaugural meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Lima, marking a significant milestone in Singapore-China relations since Wong assumed office.
The 20-minute encounter, which took place on Friday morning in the Peruvian capital, saw both leaders affirming the robust state of bilateral relations and discussing future cooperation opportunities. It represented Wong’s first bilateral meeting at the summit and a crucial step in maintaining Singapore’s traditionally strong ties with Beijing.
During the cordial exchange, Wong highlighted the strengthened partnership between the two nations, particularly noting the upgraded status of bilateral relations to a “comprehensive, high-quality, forward-looking partnership” established in the previous year. The timing of the meeting was particularly significant, following closely on the heels of the 20th Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) meeting.
President Xi characterised the relationship between China and Singapore as exemplary of international cooperation, describing the two nations as “friendly neighbours and important cooperation partners.” He emphasised the significance of the upcoming 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025, expressing China’s commitment to deepening bilateral ties.
“This meeting represents a continuation of the strong foundation built by previous generations of leaders,” said Dr Marcus Tan, a senior fellow at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs. “It’s particularly significant as both nations navigate complex global economic challenges.”
The high-level dialogue follows Wong’s recent meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the ASEAN Summit in Laos, demonstrating the sustained momentum in diplomatic engagement between the two countries.
The meeting in Lima forms part of Wong’s inaugural South American tour as Prime Minister, which includes attendance at both the APEC summit and the upcoming G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Wong expressed optimism about the future of Singapore-China relations: “We are committed to exploring new avenues of cooperation and ensuring our partnership continues to evolve with the changing global landscape.”
