Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong agreed to promote bilateral ties in various socio-economic areas during their meeting on Nov 7.
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong welcomes Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping (Photo: Straitstimes)
Singapore (VNA) – Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong agreed to promote bilateral ties in various socio-economic areas durin❀g their meeting in Singapore on November 7.
The leaders attended the signing ceremony for a number of agreements related to their third government-to-government project in China’s Chongqing province. The two sides also pledged to strengthen cooperation in education, urban management and customs.
Singapore and China also concurred to launch negotiations for an upgrade to their free trade agreement (FTA), as part of efforts to prepare for their next economic partnership period.
Earlier, speaking at a banquet for Xi on November 6, Singapore President Tony Tan Keng Yam said the upgrade will offer a foundation for both sides to join regional economic frameworks such as the regional comprehensive economic partnership (RCEP) and the ASEAN-China FTA.
Singapore has been one of China’s largest investors recently, with total investment of 72 billion USD. Last year, China surpassed Malaysia to become Singapore’s top trade partner.
Singapore is the second largest exchange market for the Chinese yuan after Hong Kong.
China is Singapore’s second biggest tourism market, while about a million Singaporeans visited China last year.
Also on November 7, Xi Jinping delivered a speech at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies Yusof Ishak, highlighting the importance of the Singapore-China partnership over the past 25 years.-VNA
The third Singapore-China inter-government project will be based in Chongqing, western China, Chinese President Xi Jinping said at a state banquet in Singapore on November 6.
Talking to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Vietnam’s Revolutionary Press Day (June 21, 1925–2025), Nikulina, who is also a veteran journalist of Russia’s Sputnik News, emphasised the vital role of mainstream journalism in defending the truth and maintaining public trust.
The Ministry of Commerce reported that imports also rose 18% to 29.9 billion USD during the same period, resulting in a trade surplus of 1.1 billion USD. In May alone, Thailand posted a 4.6 billion USD trade surplus with the US and a 4.1 billion USD trade deficit with China.
The World Bank will provide a 2.1 billion USD financing package for Indonesia, focusing oncreating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing access to clean energy across the country.
Member states also reviewed progress on six priority areas for 2025, including the development of an underground cable framework, the follow-up agreement to the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database, and the rollout of an investment platform for sustainable building initiatives.
In March, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali and said Thailand would commission a feasibility study into hosting a Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit from 2028.
The proposed giant sea wall aligns with bilateral cooperation and has been designated a national priority, considering that several regions in Indonesia are experiencing land subsidence of 10–15 centimetres per year.
International flights were cancelled including Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights to cities across Australia, and flights of Air India, Air New Zealand, Singapore's TigerAir and China's Juneyao Airlines.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including gold, copper, and manganese, as well as in the development of steel, aluminum, and renewable energy industries.
The Thai cabinet has approved a seven-year EV bus leasing scheme proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) for the capital, with an estimated cost of 15.35 billion THB (over 470 million USD).
Aircraft are prohibited from flying below 6,000 metres in the vicinity of the volcano, and should also remain alert to the presence of volcanic ash, which can disrupt flights.
Laos declared the transfer of the press management functions of five key media agencies and associated personnel to the Propaganda and Training Board of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee.
Univers said in a statement that the new centre will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together digital intelligence and climate ambition to accelerate Sarawak's transition toward a low-carbon, tech-enabled economy.
The target is to be completely free from plastic waste within two years. This can only be achieved if all parties implement the initiative with strong discipline.
Indonesia is taking new steps to improve protections for fishery workers, amid concerns over low wages, harsh working conditions, and limited access to social welfare.
The 2025 ASEAN- the Republic of Korea (RoK) Connectivity Forum that opened in Jakarta on June 17 reaffirmed a shared commitment to shaping a connected, resilient future by advancing the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan.
The desk will serve as a service centre providing market intelligence, business licensing guidance, facilitating business cooperation, identifying potential investment projects, and harmonising regulatory policies between the two parties.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for half of global energy consumption and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Despite this, regional countries, including eight of ten ASEAN member states, remain committed to climate goals, including net-zero emissions and tripling global renewable capacity by 2030.
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong welcomes Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping (Photo: Straitstimes)
