Trust and understanding in Singapore-China relationship 'cannot be taken for granted': Lawrence Wong
SINGAPORE: The relationship between Singapore and China has continued to deepen and grow because it is a partnership built on a 'deep level of mutual respect, trust and understanding', said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at his meeting with Chinese premier Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People on Monday afternoon (Jun 23).
'This deep level of trust and understanding cannot be taken for granted. It has to be cultivated, nurtured year after year, generation after generation,' said Mr Wong, adding that his team is 'fully committed' to strengthening their interactions and exchanges with their counterparts in China.
This is Mr Wong's first visit to China as Singapore's prime minister, commemorating the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Singapore and China.
The current international landscape is marked by intertwined turbulence and changes, with increasing uncertainty and instability, said the Chinese premier during the meeting, adding that it is especially vital for China and Singapore to strengthen cooperation and exchanges.
'The Chinese side is willing to work together with the Singaporean side, in light of the new changes in the situation, with a view to safeguarding our shared interests, upholding the fine tradition of mutual respect, mutual trust, equality, and win-win cooperation, and advancing bilateral relations and collaboration to bear even more fruitful outcomes,' said Mr Li.
On Monday, Mr Wong was welcomed at the Great Hall of the People, and will attend a dinner banquet hosted by Mr Li. The two last met in October 2024 on the sidelines of multilateral meetings.
On this trip, Mr Wong will also meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Chairman of the National People's Congress Zhao Leji.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Trump says ‘getting along well' with China, downplays apparent hostile acts
US President Donald Trump says the US is getting along well with China, even though "they are paying substantial tariffs". PHOTO: AFP Trump says 'getting along well' with China, downplays apparent hostile acts WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump on June 29 dismissed the importance of actions linked to Beijing that are deemed to be aggressive , including recent arrests of two Chinese nationals accused of smuggling a dangerous pathogen into the United States, saying 'that's the way the world works.' Mr Trump told Fox News that Washington behaves in a similar way. 'You don't think we do that to them? We do, we do a lot of things,' he said on the Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo show. 'That's the way the world works. It's a nasty world.' Mr Trump was responding to a question about how he viewed Chinese intellectual property theft, hacking of the US telecoms system and controversy around the Covid-19 pandemic. He likewise dismissed concerns over a case in which two Chinese nationals were accused in June of smuggling in a toxic fungus. Yunqing Jian, 33, and Zunyong Liu, 34, are charged with conspiracy, smuggling, false statements, and visa fraud. The US Justice Department said the pair conspired to smuggle into the United States a fungus called Fusarium graminearum that causes 'head blight,' a disease of wheat, barley, maize, and rice. Mr Trump downplayed this saying, 'you don't know where that came from, though. I mean, did that come from the country, or is that three wackos that happened to carry something?' Referring to the ongoing US-China trade war, Mr Trump appeared to signal he was satisfied, saying 'We're getting along well with China.' He added: 'I think getting along with China is a very good thing, but they are paying substantial tariffs.' This past week the White House signalled trade progress with China, with an official saying both sides have reached an understanding on issues including expediting rare earth shipments to the United States. After talks in Geneva in May, Washington and Beijing agreed to temporarily lower steep tit-for-tat tariffs on each other's products. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Independent Singapore
3 hours ago
- Independent Singapore
What to do when you're unemployed and scared of starting the job seeking process all over again
SINGAPORE: After a local Reddit user sought advice, expressing dismay to find himself unemployed for the second time in three years and feeling 'really scared to apply for new jobs,' many commenters told him he was not alone. 'I'm unemployed now after working for 13 years in my career (in accounting), and really, really having a phobia of applying for my next roles. I'm taking a break for a while but feeling really sian,' wrote u/createthyusername in a post on r/askSingapore on Thursday (Jun 26). The post author received a lot of good advice from obliging Reddit users, ranging from urging him to take a longer break to developing hobbies or attending workshops that would actually help him get hired. However, many commenters chimed in to say that they were also in the same boat. When one wrote that they were 'Unemployed since December 2024!', another replied, 'Same here.' 'My friend has been searching for a job for over six months…' a commenter wrote. 'I'm unemployed now, just finished a nine-month-long temp contract job, so there's that,' another said. One wrote, 'Been unemployed for 4 months, surviving on foodpanda deliveries till I can find something that works for me.' 'Sigh, Same as you. Got laid off in April and still trying to find something. Still trying to find a good workplace too, as there are places I went to that are toxic or the job description is totally different,' a Reddit user wrote. 'I've been unemployed for a year now. Still hunting and hoping! Don't give up!' wrote another encouragingly. The number of similar comments caused the post author to write, 'Oh man.. there's so many of us out here :(.' In light of all this, there are ways for people who are experiencing anxiety when it comes to the job search to overcome their fears. It is by no means unusual, and some might even say perfectly normal, to feel trepidation, especially when a person has had a negative experience, such as being terminated or working under a toxic boss. Advice from experts at Indeed includes pinpointing exactly where the fear comes from. It's easier to fight and overcome an enemy that we know, after all. 'Once you can name your fears, you'll be able to find specific resources for overcoming those fears. In doing this, you may discover that your fears are not uncommon and you are not alone, which may be reassuring,' a recent post from Indeed's Career Guide reads. Another way to overcome fear is to prepare thoroughly for an interview, which includes conducting due diligence on the company and being well-prepared with questions of your own. Practice interviews with a trusted friend can also be helpful. Indeed also encourages self-care, including getting enough sleep and practicing stress management methods. It also includes positive self-talk, which means you know that you are good enough and that if you don't get chosen, it's not personal. It also pays to temper expectations when you do get hired. 'When you get a new job, remember that you will be new to the position for some time. Your ability to perform the tasks will come with experience and practice. Rather than going into a new job expecting to know everything, give yourself room to make mistakes and grow within your position. With this patient attitude toward yourself, you'll likely improve in your role, and positive feelings will follow,' the post reads. /TISG Read also: Man who has been unemployed twice in the past 3 years says applying for jobs again terrifies him
Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Straits Times
Trump says he has group of ‘very wealthy people' to buy TikTok
The US president has extended three times the deadline for China-based ByteDance to divest the US assets of TikTok. PHOTO: AFP Trump says he has group of 'very wealthy people' to buy TikTok WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump said in a Fox News interview broadcast on June 29 that he had found a buyer for the TikTok short-video app, which he described as a group of 'very wealthy people' whose identities he will reveal in about two weeks. Mr Trump made the remarks in an interview on Fox News' Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo programme. He said the deal he is developing would probably need China's approval to move forward and he predicted Chinese President Xi Jinping would likely approve it. The US president earlier in June had extended to Sept 17 a deadline for China-based ByteDance to divest the US assets of TikTok despite a law that mandated a sale or shutdown without significant progress. A deal had been in the works this spring that would have spun off TikTok's US operations into a new US-based firm, majority-owned and operated by US investors, but it was put on hold after China indicated it would not approve it following Mr Trump's announcements of steep tariffs on Chinese goods. 'We have a buyer for TikTok, by the way,' Mr Trump said. 'I think I'll need probably China's approval. I think President Xi will probably do it.' A 2024 US law required TikTok to stop operating by Jan 19 unless ByteDance had completed divesting the app's US assets or demonstrated significant progress toward a sale. Mr Trump, who credits the app with boosting his support among young voters in last November's presidential election, has extended the deadline three times. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
