2 nations can work even harder to create more scope for collaboration
SINGAPORE’S Chinese business community and non-government organisations held a gala dinner yesterday evening in honour of visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao.
The welcome dinner, which followed Mr Hu’s meetings with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong earlier in the day, was hosted by the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCCI) and Business China.
Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng, Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan and Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong were among the 350 guests present at yesterday’s event, supported by the Singapore Business Federation, Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations, China Enterprises Association (Singapore) and Singapore China Friendship Association.
In his dinner address, Mr Hu outlined how Sino-Singapore relations have matured since 1990, underpinned by strong economic links. He noted growing trade and investment flows, as well as the rising numbers of exchange programmes for officials and students alike on the human capital front.
He said that the various provincial level bilateral agreements and the success of projects such as the Suzhou Industrial Park are further evidence of the fruit these close ties have borne.
On Tuesday, he announced at an Istana state banquet that a pair of giant pandas will be delivered to Singapore to mark 20 years of diplomatic relations.
SCCCI president Teo Siong Seng said in his opening remarks that the world’s economic centre of gravity is shifting east as China and Asia’s other economies grow – a development worth celebrating.
With the challenges the global economy still faces, Mr Hu said that China and Singapore can work even harder towards creating more opportunities for collaboration and development, both for mutual benefit and to aid wider global economic recovery and growth too.
Mr Hu will be delivering an address at the Apec CEO summit today, and joining the other Apec leaders for the leaders’ summit at the Istana over the weekend.
Courtesy of of The Business Times, 13 November 2009