Lawrence Wong heads to China for first official visit as PM
This will be Prime Minister Lawrence Wong'sfirst trip to China since taking office in May 2024. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG
Lawrence Wong heads to China for first official visit as PM
BEIJING – Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will make a five-day official visit to China from June 22, where he will seek to chart the strategic direction of bilateral ties with Chinese leaders.
This will be his first trip to China since taking office in May 2024. In Beijing, he is scheduled to meet the country's top three leaders — President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang and National People's Congress chairman Zhao Leji.
The trip will allow both sides to reaffirm their commitment to strengthening ties and is 'an opportunity for leaders to discuss bilateral issues as well as regional and global developments', the Prime Minister's Office said on June 22.
The visit comes as Singapore and China mark the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations. In 2023, they upgraded ties to an 'All Round High Quality Future Oriented Partnership'.
PM Wong will also travel to Tianjin – a port city about 1.5 hours south-east of Beijing by car – to attend an event commonly known as 'Summer Davos'.
He will take part in a dialogue with World Economic Forum (WEF) president Børge Brende. The official name for 'Summer Davos' is the WEF Annual Meeting of the New Champions.
Although this is PM Wong's introductory visit to China in his new capacity as head of Singapore's fourth-generation leadership, he is returning to familiar ground.
Since entering politics in 2011, he has visited China almost every year except during the Covid-19 pandemic. His previous China-related roles included co-chairing the Singapore-Sichuan Trade and Investment Committee and overseeing the Tianjin Eco-City when he was Minister for National Development.
He last visited China in December 2023, when as Deputy Prime Minister he co-chaired the Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation with Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang. Following his appointment as Prime Minister in 2024, DPM Gan Kim Yong took over that role.
Singapore has prioritised keeping ties with China warm through regular high-level engagements . Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong visited China in November 2024 and met President Xi.
Economic links between the two countries remain strong and mutually beneficial.
China has been Singapore's largest goods trading partner for over a decade, accounting for about 13 per cent of the Republic's global goods trade in 2024.
Singapore is China's largest foreign investor.
For this trip to China, PM Wong will be joined by a new member of his Cabinet – Acting Minister for Transport and Senior Minister of State for Finance Jeffrey Siow – who entered politics in the May 2025 General Election.
Another new face is Dr Syed Harun Alhabsyi, a former Nominated Member of Parliament who contested the 2025 GE as a People's Action Party candidate. He was appointed in May as Senior Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of National Development, and will be sworn in later in 2025.
Other members of PM Wong's delegation include Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations Grace Fu, and Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs Sim Ann.
After the official visit, PM Wong will be on leave on June 27, his office said.
While he is away, DPM Gan, who is also Minister for Trade and Industry, will serve as Acting Prime Minister from June 22 to 25.
Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam will take over from June 26 to 27.
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PHOTO: STATION BY KOTUWA He used to run Fool Wine at the Boon Tat Street space before turning it into Station in March 2025 . 'Kotuwa has been amazing,' says the chef of the restaurant, which serves the vibrant food of his heritage, together with cocktails built around Sri Lankan and other spirits. Diners can also order a $68 a person snack-to-dessert feast featuring the restaurant's greatest hits. 'We wanted to see if that success could translate, and we built a CBD version of Kotuwa, and that has been doing really well for us.' He says his fine-dining restaurant Cloudstreet has had its ups and downs. 'Having a diverse portfolio of restaurants helps. It allows us to balance out the slow months with the stronger ones.' Mr Russell Yu, 39, runs casual Japanese chain Nozomi, with outlets at Millennia Walk and Star Vista; and The Horse's Mouth gastrobar at Millenia Walk. He says business at Nozomi has improved since a tough spell from December 2024 to February 2025. 'The stronger performance likely comes down to price point and value. With an average spend of $38 to $43 a diner, and a focus on quality ingredients, we may take a hit on margins, but we continue to offer strong value to guests , and that's resonating with them . 'Restaurants that offer strong value are generally holding steady, but those with an average spend at or above $60 a head are facing greater challenges. The recent closures of several relatively high-profile establishments have been surprising. But for many of us operators, the situation has been, and remains, precarious.' It might become even more precarious when the Rapid Transit System (RTS) linking Johor Bahru (JB) and Singapore starts operating in end-2026. People will be able to travel from Woodlands North MRT station to JB's Bukit Chagar station in five minutes. Jewel Coffee's Mr Khong says: 'I would imagine the bulk of JB visitors now are car owners. But with the RTS, non-car owners will not hesitate to go to JB. 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Our focus will be on delivering exceptional value and experiences to both local and international diners, adapting our offerings to evolving preferences.' Despite the never-ending struggles with rent, manpower and cost of ingredients, some are opening new restaurants. Mr Vadim Korob, 34, managing director of Altro Zafferano, an Italian restaurant at Ocean Financial Centre, says there are plans to expand the portfolio, which now includes Griglia Open Fire Italian Kitchen in Craig Road. He will soon open a steakhouse in Amoy Street, and intends to add two more restaurants down the road. He says sales have increased for the existing restaurants. Altro Zafferano pivoted to more casual dining, with flexible menus that include sharing dishes. 'We are hopeful for 2026,' he says. 'With the upcoming steakhouse launch and plans for two additional concepts in the pipeline, we are looking forward to a strong year ahead.' Chef Joel Ong, 37, who runs Enjoy Eating House & Bar in Stevens Road and The Canteen by Enjoy in Jalan Besar, recently opened Heartland by Enjoy in Tampines, a n all-day cafe serving nasi lemak (priced from $12.90) and zi char dishes. It opens at 10.30am on weekdays and 9.30am on weekends, and closes every day at 2am. With most dishes priced under $20, the average spend a person is about half that of his other restaurants. He says: 'We want to maximise our earning potential, even if it means sacrificing our own time.' Nasi Lemak with beef rendang at Heartland by Enjoy. PHOTO: HEARTLAND BY ENJOY Neither Enjoy nor Canteen are doing well day to day, he says, adding that salaries make up the bulk of costs. He says: 'We chose to open a new restaurant without hiring many staff, and we pull everyone together to work harder, in the hopes of increasing revenue. 'It seems counter-intuitive when we say we have opened another restaurant in order to survive, but it is true.' Heartland by Enjoy in Tampines is an all-day cafe serving nasi lemak and zi char dishes. PHOTO: HEARTLAND BY ENJOY Tan Hsueh Yun is senior food correspondent at The Straits Times. She covers all aspects of the food and beverage scene in Singapore. Check out ST's Food Guide for the latest foodie recommendations in Singapore.
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