Commerce Minister Zhong Shan held a phonecall with Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing in the evening of August28th, exchanging views on deepening trade and economic links betweenChina and Singapore.

Minister Zhong Shan said that in theirphone call last month, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Longreached a number of important agreements to grow China-Singapore relations andset the direction for results-oriented bilateral commercial cooperation. Sincethe outbreak of COVID-19, the two governments and people from all walks of lifehad offered mutual support and assistance. The two sides actively carried outjoint epidemic response, explored effective means to expand trade andinvestment against the epidemic, managed to unblock industrial chains andsupply chains, established a fast track for the travel of essential personnels,and worked to promote the bilateral commercial cooperation to a higher level.

Zhong Shan noted that both countries hadbrought the epidemic under control and saw accelerated resumption of work andproduction. On occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishmentof diplomatic ties between China and Singapore, China wishes to strengthenbilateral cooperation mechanisms, jointly promote trade and investment flows,move forward the construction of the new Land-Sea Trade Corridor andinter-governmental cooperation projects, deepen regional and multilateralcooperation, and continue to work together in medical supplies. Chinaappreciates the constructive role of Singapore in pushing for positive progressout of the RCEP Ministerial Meeting. China is willing to support ASEANcentrality in attaining the goal of signing RCEP by the end of this year.

Minister Chan thanked China for the robustsupport to Singapore in purchasing medical and epidemic containment supplies.Singapore is willing to strengthen joint COVID-19 response with China. The fasttrack between the two countries facilitated the exchange of personnels andtrade and economic cooperation. In the next step, Singapore is ready to workwith China to plan for future cooperation, advance the construction of theinternational land-sea trade corridor, and seize the opportunities to promotebilateral and regional trade and investment cooperation as supply chains andindustrial chains are reshaped. Singapore is pleased to see the progress madeat the RCEP Ministerial Meeting, and will make joint efforts with all partiesto sign the agreement by the end of the year.