DPM Gan Kim Yong at the 21st Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation and Related Joint Steering Council Meetings in Chongqing, China

Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong co-chaired the 21st Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC), the 26th China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP) Joint Steering Council (JSC), the 17th Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City (TEC) JSC, and the 9th China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity (CCI) JSC meetings with Vice Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) Ding Xuexiang in Chongqing, China, on 15 December 2025.

Bilateral Meeting between Deputy Prime Minister Gan and Vice Premier Ding

DPM Gan and Vice Premier Ding had a bilateral meeting prior to the JCBC and related JSC meetings. The two leaders noted that this year marked the 35th anniversary of the establishment of Singapore-China diplomatic relations. They affirmed the excellent state of bilateral ties, built on a strong foundation of multi-faceted cooperation and mutual trust. By continually leveraging each other’s strengths and experiences, Singapore and China have enhanced bilateral cooperation over the years in step with the development of both countries.

The two leaders committed to deepen cooperation to address the challenges and opportunities posed by increasing geopolitical uncertainties and rapid technological advancements. They agreed that both countries should continue enhancing trade links and economic connectivity, both bilaterally and across the wider region, to promote inclusive development. Singapore and China would continue to explore collaboration in the green and digital economies, including in low-carbon solutions, renewable energy technologies, and green finance, as well as to exchange best practices in digital regulations and deepen innovation partnerships. The co-chairs also underscored the importance of deepening mutual trust and understanding, through promoting people-to-people and institutional exchanges at all levels.

DPM Gan and Vice Premier Ding also discussed regional developments. DPM Gan reaffirmed that Singapore has consistently abided by our “One China” policy.

21st JCBC saw 27 Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and agreements announced

The 21st JCBC meeting reviewed the progress of bilateral cooperation in a wide range of areas, including the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), third-country cooperation, legal and judicial cooperation, trade, sustainability, food security, the digital economy, green economy, science and innovation, renewable energy, finance, education, public health, human resource development, cultural exchanges, as well as the China-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City, which is a State-Level Bilateral Cooperation Project and marks its 15th anniversary this year.

DPM Gan and Vice Premier Ding agreed that both sides should continue to collaborate and tap on opportunities in emerging areas to deliver high-quality outcomes that will benefit both countries and contribute to regional prosperity. They lauded the CCI’s achievements over the past decade as a platform for policy innovation. In particular, the CCI-New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (CCI-ILSTC) has developed into a strategic trade corridor connecting Western China to Southeast Asia and beyond. On the occasion of the CCI’s 10th anniversary, they welcomed the announcement of deliverables including the Document on the Vision for Cooperation on Promoting High-Quality Development of the CCI and the MOU on the Implementation of the Development of the CCI, which would chart the path for the CCI’s next phase and outline further areas of cooperation between both sides.

To further strengthen digital and green cooperation, both sides agreed to promote joint research and collaboration particularly in sustainable development and green technologies. Through the Singapore-China Working Group on University Collaborations, both sides noted the good progress on collaborations between our leading universities, such as in academic programmes, joint research, and enterprise initiatives. Both sides also agreed to deepen financial cooperation to strengthen financial and capital markets connectivity and RMB cooperation, including through appointing DBS Bank Ltd as the second RMB clearing bank in Singapore and launching a pilot programme to enable Singapore travellers to use e-CNY for merchant payments in China.

Cooperation on food security was strengthened through the signing of a protocol for the export of processed meat products from Singapore to China, which facilitates market access for Singapore-based food manufacturers. Both sides also agreed on initiatives to enhance people-to-people ties through facilitating more exchanges between our youth and sporting associations.

27 MOUs and agreements were announced:

1. Document on The Vision for Cooperation between MTI and the PRC Ministry of Commerce on Promoting High-Quality Development of the CCI

2. MOU between MTI and the Chongqing Municipal People’s Government on the Implementation of the Development of the CCI

3. MOU between IMDA, the Chongqing Municipal People’s Government, and the PRC National Data Administration (NDA) on Digital New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (DILSTC)

4. MOU between MAS and the Chongqing Municipal People’s Government on Financial Cooperation under the CCI

5. MOU between Singapore Customs and the General Administration of Customs of the PRC (GACC) on China-Singapore (Chongqing) Customs Twinning Cooperation

6. MOU between ESG and Suzhou Industrial Park Administrative Committee (SIPAC) on Expanding Green Development Cooperation

7. MOU between MND and the Tianjin Municipal People’s Government on the Promotion of Economic Cooperation and Pro-Enterprise Development

8. Appointment of DBS Bank as the Second RMB Clearing Bank in Singapore

9. Launch of eCNY Pilot for Singapore Travellers’ Spending in China by End-2025

10. Commencement of the Over-the-Counter Bond Market Arrangement via Bank of China and DBS Bank

11. Announcement to Strengthen Green Finance Cooperation between China and Singapore, Further Update the Multi-Jurisdiction Common Ground Taxonomy (M-CGT), and Promote the Implementation and Use of M-CGT

12. Announcement to Strengthen Index Cooperation, Support the Secondary Listing of Chinese Enterprises in Singapore, Deepen the China-Singapore ETF Product Link, and Enhance Securities Regulatory Collaboration

13. Announcement of Protocol on the Inspection, Quarantine and Food Safety Requirements for the Export of Processed Meat Products from Singapore to China

14. Approval of Chongqing, Heilongjiang and Hunan Provinces for the Export of Meat Products from China to Singapore and Removal of Pre-Export Testing Requirements for Export of Aquaculture and Processed Meat Products from China to Singapore

15. MOU between NRF and the PRC Ministry of Science and Technology on Strengthening Cooperation in Science, Technology and Innovation

16. MOU between A*STAR’s National Metrology Centre and the PRC National Institute of Metrology on Metrology Collaboration

17. Cooperation Agreement between A*STAR and Tsinghua University for Joint Grant Calls

18. MOU between MOH and the PRC National Health Commission on Health Cooperation

19. MOU between MinLaw and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) on Legal and Dispute Resolution Cooperation

20. MOU between MCCY and the General Administration of Sport of China (GASC) on Sport Cooperation

21. MOU between NYC and the All-China Youth Federation (ACYF) on Youth Cooperation

22. MOU between the Singapore Wushu Dragon & Lion Dance Federation (SWDLDF) and the Chinese Wushu Association (CWA)

 Progress on the Singapore-China Working Group on University Collaborations:

23. Nanyang Technological University (NTU)-Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) MOU on International Technology Translation and Commercialisation

24. NTU-SJTU MOU on Joint Education Programmes

25. National University of Singapore-Peking University MOU for the PKU-NUS Centre for Applied Sciences

26. Singapore Management University-Fudan University Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to establish the SMU–FDU Strategic Partnership on Digital Transformation and Sustainable Living

27. Singapore University of Technology and Design-Zhejiang University MOU to establish the ZJU-SUTD Advanced Institute of Intelligent Design

26th SIP JSC Meeting

The 26th SIP JSC affirmed the SIP’s achievements and emphasised its importance as a pathfinder for bilateral cooperation. Following the successful commemoration of the SIP’s 30th anniversary in 2024, both sides noted the close collaboration in green development, the digital economy and biomedical sciences, under the 10-year Cooperation Initiative. Building on this momentum, the meeting highlighted the SIP’s key role in facilitating forward-looking partnerships between Singapore and China and enhancing the two-way flow of trade and investments, including exploring collaboration in third-party markets. Both sides also reiterated their commitment to deepen cooperation and further strengthen people-to-people ties. 

17th SSTEC JSC Meeting

The 17th SSTEC JSC meeting reviewed the good progress made under the bilateral framework for developing the TEC as an upgraded National Green Development Demonstration Zone. Over the past year, both sides have worked together on the development of the Eco-City’s green and innovative industries, and promoted the establishment of companies in the green sector. There has also been strong cooperation through the Singapore-Tianjin Economic and Trade Council, and initiatives such as the Singapore-China Green Development Forum. In early December 2025, the Singapore Ministry of National Development and the Tianjin Municipal Government signed a MOU to strengthen economic cooperation and promote pro-enterprise development, extending our scope of collaboration beyond the TEC to the entire Tianjin, and going beyond the green and sustainability industry to other sectors. Singapore and Tianjin will work closely together on areas such as promoting key growth sectors; encouraging two-way business, trade and investment flows; and facilitating exchanges between government officials and students. 

9th CCI JSC Meeting

The 9th CCI JSC celebrated the CCI’s success over the past decade as a priority demonstration project that has strengthened trade and investment ties between Singapore and Chongqing. For the CCI’s next phase, both sides have agreed to deepen connectivity and expand collaboration in new sectors, supported by sustainability and digitalisation. Both sides also noted the progress in newer areas of collaboration such as research, innovation and healthcare. In addition, both sides noted the success of the Joint Innovation Development Fund and committed to its expansion in size, scope and geographical reach, to support demonstrative projects in emerging sectors. The meeting acknowledged the CCI-ILSTC’s importance as a strategic trade corridor, and that both sides should work together to extend its reach to growing markets along the Belt and Road, including Central Asia. With its refreshed strategy and the conclusion of agreements that outline its future development, the CCI will continue to shine as a “high starting point, high standards, and innovative” demonstration project, and serve as an even stronger bridge between China and Southeast Asia.

On the Singapore side, the JCBC and related JSC meetings were attended by Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo, Minister for Education and Minister-in-charge of Social Services Integration Desmond Lee, Minister for Manpower and Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science & Technology Dr Tan See Leng, Senior Minister of State in the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment and the Ministry of Defence Zaqy Mohamad, Senior Minister of State in the Ministry of Digital Development and Information and the Ministry of Health Tan Kiat How, Senior Minister of State in the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth Low Yen Ling, and Senior Minister of State in the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of National Development Sun Xueling.

Chongqing Connectivity Initiative 10th Anniversary (CCI-10) Commemorative Events

At the 21st JCBC and related JSC meetings, DPM Gan and Vice Premier Ding witnessed the virtual launch of two trains from Yuzui Terminal South Yard to Central Asia and Southeast Asia, reflecting how the multimodal trade corridor has enhanced Chongqing’s connectivity with other regions.

Later today, DPM Gan and Vice Premier Ding will be visiting key CCI sites as part of the commemorative activities of CCI-10. At the refurbished CCI Gallery, DPM Gan and Vice Premier Ding will view displays highlighting the CCI’s major achievements across the four priority and emerging sectors over the past decade, and its refreshed development strategy. DPM Gan and Vice Premier Ding will also visit the Chongqing Municipal Digital City Operations and Governance Centre. In addition, DPM Gan will visit the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Multimodal Distribution and Connectivity Centre, a key infrastructure supporting multimodal logistics and the CCI-ILSTC.

DPM Gan will be hosted to dinner by Secretary of the Communist Party of China Chongqing Municipal Committee Yuan Jiajun this evening. DPM Gan and Secretary Yuan will also view a drone show jointly presented by Chongqing and Singapore. The drone show will feature icons from Singapore and Chongqing to celebrate 10 years of close partnership under the CCI and 35 years of Singapore-China diplomatic relations.

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PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE
SINGAPORE
15 DECEMBER 2025