MFA Press Statement: Introductory Visit of Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan to the People's Republic of China 29 February to 1 March 2016

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan called on People's Republic of China Vice President Li Yuanchao, 29 February 2016 [Photo credit: MFA]

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan met People's Republic of China Foreign Minister Wang Yi, 29 February 2016 [Photo credit: MFA]

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan is on an introductory visit to the People’s Republic of China from 29 February to 1 March 2016. Minister Balakrishnan called on Vice President Li Yuanchao this afternoon. They reaffirmed the excellent state of Singapore-China relations, underscored by the “All-Round Cooperative Partnership Progressing with the Times” that characterises the longstanding, innovative and multi-faceted cooperation between the two countries.  Minister Balakrishnan and Vice President Li noted the significant achievements made in the first two Government-to-Government (G-to-G) projects, the Suzhou Industrial Park and the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City.

They also discussed the two major bilateral initiatives launched during President Xi Jinping's State Visit to Singapore in November 2015, the Chongqing Connectivity Initiative (CCI), the third G-to-G project, as well as the China-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (CSFTA) upgrade.  The officials from both sides are working towards a substantive and mutually beneficial CSFTA upgrade.  Minister Balakrishnan and Vice President Li agreed that the two countries should continue their longstanding human resource development exchanges which allow both sides to benefit from each other’s developmental experiences.  They also affirmed the positive momentum in the overall ASEAN-China cooperation as ASEAN and China commemorate the 25^th anniversary of dialogue relations this year.

Minister Balakrishnan had a meeting with Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and was hosted to dinner by Minister Wang later in the evening.  The two Foreign Ministers agreed that the bilateral relationship has been strong and positive.  Officials from the two countries are working closely to implement the CCI and the CSFTA upgrade, and good progress has been made.  Both sides aim to achieve a comprehensive and substantive CSFTA upgrade by end-2016.  Minister Balakrishnan also reaffirmed Singapore’s consistent “One China” policy and expressed support for the peaceful development of cross-strait relations.

The two Foreign Ministers also discussed ASEAN-China relations including the 25^th anniversary of Dialogue Relations in 2016.  The celebrations will culminate in the ASEAN-China Commemorative Summit later this year.  As Country Coordinator for ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations, Singapore will work closely with ASEAN Member States and China to advance this relationship for mutual benefit.

Minister Balakrishnan and Minister Wang also discussed recent developments in the South China Sea.  Minister Balakrishnan reiterated that as a non-claimant state, Singapore does not take sides on the merits of the competing territorial claims.  Singapore supports the peaceful resolution of disputes in the South China Sea with full respect for legal and diplomatic processes, as well as the right of freedom of navigation and over-flight under international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).  Minister Balakrishnan also conveyed the concerns expressed by the ASEAN Foreign Ministers during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in Laos on 27 February 2016, as well as the importance of non-militarisation and self-restraint in the conduct of activities to lower the temperature and prevent incidents in the South China Sea.

Minister Balakrishnan will meet other PRC leaders on 1 March 2016.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

29 FEBRUARY 2016