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SINGAPORE: Singapore and China have pledged deeper cooperation in areas ranging from public health to trade with the signing of a historic number of 10 agreements at a major bilateral forum between the two countries, surpassing the nine count last year.
The 16th Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC), held on Tuesday (December 8), was co-chaired by Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat and Chinese Deputy Prime Minister Han Zheng.
Speaking to local media to conclude the session, Mr. Heng said: “This year’s substantive agenda reflects the breadth and depth of our cooperation. This builds on a solid foundation established by leaders on both sides and successive generations of JCBC co-chairs. “
READ: Singapore and China reaffirm ‘excellent’ relationship, commit to COVID-19 cooperation
He added that the continued commitment to joint projects and collaboration amid the challenging COVID-19 pandemic was a testament to the resilience of ties between the two countries.
This year’s meeting was also of “special significance,” he said, as 2020 marks the 30th anniversary of Singapore’s diplomatic ties with China.
It was the second time that Heng co-chaired the council meeting, which was held virtually.
MORE COOPERATION IN HEALTH, BIOMEDICS, FOOD SAFETY
Among the many agreements signed are two memorandums of understanding (MOU) focused on deepening cooperation in public health, a new pillar of partnership under the JCBC.
According to a memorandum of understanding, the Singapore Ministry of Health will work with the National Health Commission of China to strengthen collaboration in areas such as the prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases, health promotion and primary care of Health.
Another memorandum of understanding on the exchange of scholarships in health policies was renewed, after it was signed for the first time in 2013. With it, both parties will exchange health scholarships to work in institutions involved in the areas of prevention and control of diseases .
The public health cooperation would include working together on vaccine development, production and distribution, as well as diagnosis and therapeutics for COVID-19, said Singapore Health Minister Gan Kim Yong, who accompanied Heng along with others. nine ministers.
READ: Singapore and China agree to strengthen cooperation to address the global threat of COVID-19
Gan said this collaboration would be useful even beyond COVID-19.
“There will be new pandemics, so it is important to establish this platform for collaboration between Singapore and China so that we can continue to cooperate and develop capabilities,” he told reporters.
He added that the focus on noncommunicable diseases played an equally important role.
“These are ongoing health problems. We cannot afford to be distracted by COVID-19 and forget about all the other health problems. Aging, for example, is a topic of common interest to us, although our landscapes and environments are quite different, ”he said.
Singapore Ministers at the 16th Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation on December 8, 2020 (Photo: Ministry of Communications and Information)
Another agreement pledged to strengthen cooperation between biomedical companies in Singapore and the Suzhou Industrial Park in eastern China, in areas such as product marketing.
The partnership will also facilitate the testing of new concepts in a free trade zone in Jiangsu province, expanding market opportunities for Singaporean biomedical companies.
Another agreement involved an enhanced memorandum of understanding on environmental sustainability, based on a version that was signed in 2018.
The agreement on the joint document on enhancing cooperation in this area will make Singapore and China “strengthen collective action through multilateral cooperation,” according to the Ministry of Sustainability and Environment.
“Over the next two years, Singapore and China will cooperate on regional and international platforms such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and also in discussions on the International Green Development of the Belt and Road,” Grace Fu said, who runs the Ministry.
The two sides will also enhance cooperation on zero waste initiatives in Tianjin Green City between China and Singapore, and will exchange best practices in carbon pricing and development of monitoring, reporting and verification requirements.
Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat at the 16th Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation on December 8, 2020 (Photo: Ministry of Communications and Information)
A separate memorandum of understanding on customs twinning will allow China and Singapore to strengthen security and trade facilitation.
By virtue of this, both parties will share best practices on the application of new technologies and improve risk management through the exchange of permit data.
The two countries also pledged to collaborate more in dispute resolution, food safety, environmental action, and knowledge sharing between research institutions.
MILESTONES IN COMMEMORATING PROJECTS FROM GOVERNMENT TO GOVERNMENT
At the JCBC, both sides also marked key milestones in bilateral projects, such as the fifth anniversary of the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity (CCI) and the 10th anniversary of the China-Singapore Guangzhou City of Knowledge.
The minister in charge of the Chongqing initiative, Josephine Teo, said there has been “good progress” in the areas she prioritized for collaboration, including financial services and logistics.
The issue of connectivity has also been helpful, especially in a pandemic, he said.
“Supply chains have been severely affected, but looking at the CCI corridor, it has proven to be a viable alternative by serving as a trade route for the flow of goods.”
Singapore Ministers at the 16th Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation on December 8, 2020 (Photo: Ministry of Communications and Information)
Ms Teo noted that Singapore companies have reported a year-on-year increase in cargo flows in the first three quarters of 2020.
He also said that the project, which covers different aspects of connectivity, has attracted 13 other neighboring provinces in the West China region to sign up to become part of the ICC.
MORE AREAS TO IMPROVE
In his conversations with his Chinese counterpart, Heng said he pointed out three areas for further cooperation with China, in connectivity, digitization and sustainable development, that would be crucial for a post-COVID world.
They also discussed ideas to further open the borders between the two, including better use of expressways, increasing the frequency of flights and restoring normal exchanges between people “at the right time.”
READ: COVID-19: Singapore to lift border restrictions for visitors from mainland China and Australia’s state of Victoria from November 6
“There is agreement that these are important proposals and we both express the willingness to discuss these ideas … They will contribute to the recovery of our economies and the livelihoods of our people,” Heng said.
When asked what conditions constituted “an appropriate time” to reopen the borders, Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung said vaccines are just around the corner, but it is important “not to get ahead of ourselves.”
“I hope things start to improve, there is a good chance that that will happen. But I don’t think it’s a grand opening … and suddenly traveling becomes normal. “
The continuing uncertainty about the effectiveness of vaccines also means that the restrictions are likely to remain in place for a while longer and it is crucial to “not rush,” he said.
Heng also noted that over three decades of diplomatic relations and three government-to-government projects, “generations” of people have come together, “creating a bond that sustains a deep and lasting friendship.”
“Going forward, we must continue to deepen partnerships and allow all segments of society to collaborate, as we face future challenges such as sustainable development and climate change,” he said.
