Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister visits a series of Chinese cities

The visit of Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat to China is a good opportunity for both sides to explore ways to enhance bilateral cooperation, the Straits Times reported.

Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat visits China from April 7-12. (Source: Straits Times)

In a statement on April 7, the Singapore Prime Minister's Office said that Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, who is also Coordinating Minister for Economic Policy, will visit Beijing, Shenzhen and Hong Kong (China) from April 7-12.

The Singaporean leader is expected to meet with Chinese central and local leaders during his six-day official visit.

The statement said Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat's visit builds on the positive momentum of high-level exchanges between Singapore and China.

In March, Liu Jianchao, head of the International Liaison Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, visited the lion island, meeting with Deputy Prime Ministers Lawrence Wong and Heng Swee Keat.

Mr. Liu Jianchao's visit comes a few days after Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean made an official visit to China, with stops in Sichuan, Zhejiang and Beijing.

In December 2023, more than 20 agreements were signed at the 19th meeting of the Joint Council on Bilateral Cooperation, co-chaired by Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang and Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. At this annual high-level bilateral forum between Singapore and China in Tianjin, the two sides agreed to implement a 30-day visa exemption agreement starting in early 2024.

The agreement, signed by officials from both sides on January 25, allows ordinary passport holders from Singapore and China to enter each other's countries without visas and for stays of up to 30 days.

The Singapore Prime Minister's Office affirmed that Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat's visit "will be a good opportunity for both sides to explore measures to enhance bilateral cooperation, as well as exchange views on regional and international issues."

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