Full Text: Joint statement between Chinese, Singaporean governments

The following is the full text of the joint statement between the government of the People's Republic of China and the government of the Republic of Singapore issued on Wednesday during an official visit by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang to Singapore.

1. At the invitation of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of the Republic of Singapore, Premier Li Keqiang of the People's Republic of China paid an official visit to Singapore from 12 to 16 November 2018.

During the visit, Premier Li Keqiang held talks with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and met with President Halimah Yacob. Both sides discussed the progress of cooperation in various fields, the future direction of bilateral relations, and exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

2. Singapore congratulated China on its achievements over the past 40 years of reform and opening up, and wished the Chinese people progress in China's development goals and continued peace, prosperity and stability. China appreciated Singapore's contributions to China's reform and opening up, and expressed support for Singapore's continued growth, development, and prosperity.

3. Both sides agreed that China-Singapore relations have been progressive, forward-looking, and strategic. Practical cooperation between both sides has yielded fruitful results and has a demonstrative effect, which not only brings tangible benefits to the two countries and their peoples, but also contributes to the prosperity and stability of the region and the world. Both sides affirmed the significant contributions of the annual Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC), co-chaired at the Deputy Prime Minister/Executive Vice Premier level, in promoting and giving guidance to bilateral cooperation in a wide number of areas in line with our joint commitment to further the development of the China-Singapore All-Round Cooperative Partnership Progressing with the Times.

4. Building on the foundations laid by past generations of leaders of the two countries, both sides agreed to maintain frequent high-level exchanges, promote mutual understanding and mutual trust. Both sides also reaffirmed their commitment to the development of friendly relations based on the principles of mutual respect, sovereign equality and non-interference in each other's internal affairs. Singapore will maintain its consistent "One China" policy.

5. Both sides agreed that cooperation along the Belt and Road is a new highlight of China-Singapore relations. Both sides will continue to strengthen cooperation in the platforms of infrastructure connectivity, financial connectivity, third party collaboration, as well as in the new key area of legal & judicial cooperation under the Belt and Road framework. In line with the development needs of both sides, the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity-New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor and a third party collaboration project will be new highlights in our bilateral cooperation. Both sides agreed to strengthen connectivity across all modes of transport, which will improve the flow of goods and people by air, strengthen people-to-people exchanges, and grow tourism, all of which support the Belt and Road Initiative. Both sides recognised the importance of a rules-based business environment to support the Belt and Road, and agreed to strengthen legal and judicial exchanges and cooperation.

6. Both sides agreed that economic, trade and investment cooperation between China and Singapore has yielded fruitful results. Both countries signed the Protocol to Upgrade the China-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (CSFTA) during this visit, bringing bilateral economic, trade and investment cooperation to new heights. Both sides will continue to further the development of the three Government-to-Government projects of China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park, Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-city and China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity, promote and replicate successful experiences from the three projects, and enable them to play a demonstration and leading role. Both sides welcomed the commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-city this year, and looked forward to the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park in 2019. Both sides welcomed the upgrading of the China-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City to a state-level bilateral cooperation project, and will continue to deepen collaboration in its joint development, and expand cooperation in the fields of technology innovation, advanced manufacturing, intellectual property rights and talent development. Both sides will continue to pursue new areas of cooperation through the seven Provincial Business Councils in China and inject new impetus into Singapore's participation in China's local economic development. Both sides also welcomed the discussion between Shanghai and Singapore to establish a comprehensive mechanism for cooperation.

7. Both sides will strengthen cross-border financial supervision cooperation to address financial risks and continue to enhance financial cooperation. Both sides welcomed the signing of the People's Bank of China (PBOC)-Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) China-Singapore Fintech Cooperation Agreement, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC)-MAS Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation and Exchange of Information on the Regulation of Derivatives Activities. Both sides will continue to encourage financial institutions in both countries to work together to provide financing solutions to support trade and investment, including the financing of Belt and Road Initiative projects in the region. This will be done in line with market and commercial principles. China welcomes Singapore's agreement to become a party to the Guiding Principles on Financing the Development of the Belt and Road.

8. Building on close cultural cooperation, both sides agreed to further deepen and broaden exchanges and people-to-people ties through the implementation of the 8th Executive Programme for the years 2018-2020, under the China-Singapore Memorandum of Understanding on Cultural Cooperation. Both sides will continue to engage in exchanges and visits between officials at all levels, including the China-Singapore Forum on Leadership and China-Singapore Social Governance Forum, and the Framework Agreement on the exchange of mid-level and senior officials. Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in education and start discussions for a bilateral agreement to facilitate internships between university students from both countries on the basis of reciprocity and mutual benefit.

9. Both parties agreed to deepen collaboration in urban governance through mutual knowledge-sharing and joint initiatives to create new knowledge, insights and innovative solutions to address the current and future urban challenges facing the cities of both countries. Such collaboration would also support the creation of highly liveable cities that are economically competitive and environmentally sustainable with a high quality of life.

10. Both sides recognise the importance of Research and Development (R&D) and innovation to economic and societal development, and agreed that China and Singapore have strong complementarities and potential for cooperation. Both sides will continue to foster scientific R&D cooperation through the China-Singapore Joint Research Programme, facilitate talent exchanges and training, and share best practices in technology transfer. Both sides will continue to strengthen cooperation in ecological civilisation, circular economy, environmental research and development as well as environmental governance, and advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, implement the Paris Agreement, promote China-ASEAN cooperation in environmental protection and work together to support the launching of the International Coalition for Green Development on the Belt and Road.

11. Both sides agreed to enhance legal and judicial cooperation. Both sides also agreed to strengthen cooperation on disaster management and emergency rescue, and law enforcement cooperation, including combating transnational crimes, corruption, money laundering, cybercrime and narcotics. Both sides have agreed to commence negotiations on a Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters. Both sides affirmed the annual China-Singapore Legal and Judicial Roundtable as a key platform for bilateral legal and judicial cooperation as well as in Belt and Road cooperation. Both sides welcomed the Memorandum of Guidance on the Recognition and Enforcement of Money Judgments in Commercial Cases signed between both Supreme Courts. Both sides looked forward to stronger legal and judicial cooperation along the Belt and Road.

12. Both sides will continue to strengthen bilateral defence relations through continuing high-level visits and mutual attendance of multilateral defence platforms such as the Beijing Xiangshan Forum and the Shangri-La Dialogue, expanding practical cooperation between the PLA and the SAF, and institutionalising exchanges between defence think tanks. In particular, both sides have agreed to the conduct of bilateral Army exercise Cooperation in 2019 and to refresh the Agreement on Defence Exchanges and Security Cooperation (ADESC) which was signed in 2008. Both sides also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen China-ASEAN defence cooperation, and continue to conduct the China-ASEAN Maritime Exercise.

13. Both sides agreed that China-ASEAN relations have made good progress. China appreciates Singapore's contributions to promoting the development of China-ASEAN relations in its capacity as the coordinator for China-ASEAN dialogue relations over the past three years. China welcomed the achievements made and key initiatives launched under Singapore's ASEAN Chairmanship. As this year marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the China-ASEAN Strategic Partnership, both sides welcomed the adoption of the China-ASEAN Strategic Partnership Vision 2030 Statement at the 21st China-ASEAN Summit and commended the substantive outcomes from the China-ASEAN Year of Innovation 2018, including China's support for the ASEAN Smart Cities Network. Both sides also reaffirmed their shared commitment to maintaining and promoting peace, security and stability in the region.

14. Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to rules-based multilateralism, support for the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, adherence to international law, and would continue to maintain close communication and cooperation at the United Nations and other multilateral organisations. In this vein, both countries agreed that instruments such as the United Nations Convention on Mediation are important to the multilateral rules-based order and will consider signing it.

15. Both sides share the view that as contributors and beneficiaries of free trade, China and Singapore share a wide range of common interests. Both sides will work together to uphold the rules-based multilateral trading system as embodied by the WTO, and make economic globalisation more open, inclusive, balanced and beneficial to all. China and Singapore are also working closely to achieve the swift conclusion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

16. The two sides welcomed a series of bilateral cooperation agreements signed during the visit, as listed in the Annex.

17. Premier Li Keqiang thanked the Singapore Government for the warm reception and invited Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to visit China for the 2nd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in 2019. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong accepted the invitation.

Annex

Premier Li Keqiang's Official Visit to Singapore

Deliverables

1.Protocol to Upgrade the Free Trade Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Singapore

2.Memorandum of Understanding on the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor of the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Singapore

3.Framework Agreement on Cooperation in the Elevated China-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Singapore

4.Guiding Principles on Financing the Development of the Belt and Road

5.Memorandum of Understanding to Strengthen Collaboration in Urban Governance, Urban Planning and Management between the National Development and Reform Commission of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of National Development of the Republic of Singapore

6.Executive Programme for the Years 2018 to 2020 of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cultural Cooperation between the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic China and the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and the Ministry of Communications and Information of the Republic of Singapore

7.Memorandum of Understanding on Environmental Cooperation between the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of China and the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources of the Republic of Singapore

8.FinTech Cooperation Agreement between the People's Bank of China and the Monetary Authority of Singapore

9.Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation and Exchange of Information on the Regulation of Derivatives Activities between the China Securities Regulatory Commission and the Monetary Authority of Singapore

10.Framework Agreement on "Single Window" Cooperation in International Trade between the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China and Singapore Customs

11.Memorandum of Understanding Regarding the Cooperation on Developing the Sino-Singapore International Technology Innovation Cooperation Demonstration Area between the Sino-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City Administrative Committee and Ascendas-Singbridge Pte Ltd.