Singapore, China reaffirm strong bilateral ties; Batik, not quilt, symbolises Tharman's multicultural vision: Singapore live news

Yahoo

6 days ago

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has reaffirmed the importance of Singapore-China relations during his first official visit to China as premier. Meeting with President Xi Jinping in Beijing, Wong emphasised the need for deeper cooperation amid global uncertainty.
The visit marks the 35th anniversary of diplomatic ties and reflects a long-standing relationship built on mutual trust. Wong also met Premier Li Qiang and will attend the World Economic Forum's Summer Davos in Tianjin. Both leaders pledged to uphold multilateralism and work together to address shared challenges. More on Wong's first visit to China as premier here.
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam has called for a deeper, more resilient form of multiculturalism, likening it to batik, where diverse threads are interwoven into a unified fabric. Speaking at the International Conference on Cohesive Societies 2025, he warned against the 'patchwork quilt' model, which he said can unravel under stress.
Tharman highlighted rising global polarisation and urged societies to actively cultivate shared values and trust. The conference, attended by over 1,000 delegates from more than 50 countries, aims to foster interfaith and intercultural dialogue. More on Tharman's vision for unity here.
Read more in our live blog below, including the latest local and international news and updates.
Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has called the relationship between Singapore and China 'more important than ever' during his first official visit to China as premier. Speaking in Beijing on Tuesday (24 June), Wong met with President Xi Jinping and pledged to deepen bilateral cooperation amid rising global tensions.
Wong emphasised the need to strengthen multilateralism and the rules-based global order, noting that Singapore and China can work together on regional and international platforms. Xi echoed the sentiment, calling for tighter strategic cooperation to tackle shared challenges.
The visit marks the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations. Wong highlighted the long-standing trust and mutual respect that began even before formal ties were established, referencing the legacy of leaders like Lee Kuan Yew and Deng Xiaoping.
Wong also met Premier Li Qiang and will meet National People's Congress Chairman Zhao Leji, completing engagements with China's top three leaders.
He will conclude his five-day trip by attending the World Economic Forum's Summer Davos in Tianjin, where he's slated to speak on regional cooperation and economic resilience.
Read on Wong's first visit to China as premier here.
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam has urged societies to rethink how they approach multiculturalism, warning that superficial integration risks falling apart under pressure. Speaking at the International Conference on Cohesive Societies (ICCS) 2025, he said multicultural societies should resemble batik, where diverse threads are interwoven into a single, resilient fabric.
In contrast, he cautioned against the 'patchwork quilt' model, where cultural groups remain separate and loosely stitched together. 'In times of stress, the stitches weaken and the quilt is easily forced apart,' he said.
Tharman noted that enthusiasm for multiculturalism is waning globally, with rising political polarisation and a retreat from moderate values. He stressed that shared values and a belief in a common future must be actively cultivated.
The ICCS, attended by over 1,000 delegates from more than 50 countries, aims to foster interfaith and intercultural dialogue. Batik attire was the dress code, fitting for the metaphor.
Read on Tharman's call for cohesion here.
Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has called the relationship between Singapore and China 'more important than ever' during his first official visit to China as premier. Speaking in Beijing on Tuesday (24 June), Wong met with President Xi Jinping and pledged to deepen bilateral cooperation amid rising global tensions.
Wong emphasised the need to strengthen multilateralism and the rules-based global order, noting that Singapore and China can work together on regional and international platforms. Xi echoed the sentiment, calling for tighter strategic cooperation to tackle shared challenges.
The visit marks the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations. Wong highlighted the long-standing trust and mutual respect that began even before formal ties were established, referencing the legacy of leaders like Lee Kuan Yew and Deng Xiaoping.
Wong also met Premier Li Qiang and will meet National People's Congress Chairman Zhao Leji, completing engagements with China's top three leaders.
He will conclude his five-day trip by attending the World Economic Forum's Summer Davos in Tianjin, where he's slated to speak on regional cooperation and economic resilience.
Read on Wong's first visit to China as premier here.
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam has urged societies to rethink how they approach multiculturalism, warning that superficial integration risks falling apart under pressure. Speaking at the International Conference on Cohesive Societies (ICCS) 2025, he said multicultural societies should resemble batik, where diverse threads are interwoven into a single, resilient fabric.
In contrast, he cautioned against the 'patchwork quilt' model, where cultural groups remain separate and loosely stitched together. 'In times of stress, the stitches weaken and the quilt is easily forced apart,' he said.
Tharman noted that enthusiasm for multiculturalism is waning globally, with rising political polarisation and a retreat from moderate values. He stressed that shared values and a belief in a common future must be actively cultivated.
The ICCS, attended by over 1,000 delegates from more than 50 countries, aims to foster interfaith and intercultural dialogue. Batik attire was the dress code, fitting for the metaphor.
Read on Tharman's call for cohesion here.