DPM Teo Chee Hean at the Business China FutureChina Global Forum

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“Enhancing the Potential of the Belt and Road Initiative”

Mr Chen De Ming, President of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits,
Minister Josephine Teo,
Senior Minister of State Koh Poh Koon,
Mr Lee Yi Shyan, Chairman of Business China,
Mr Lan Tianli, Standing Member of the CPC Guangxi Autonomous Regional Committee and Executive Vice Chairman of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region,
Professor Zhang Jie, Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences,
Your Excellencies,
Parliamentary Colleagues,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good Morning to all of you. 

China has made great progress since it started market reforms in 1978, and joined the World Trade Organisation in 2001. China’s economic development is now entering a new phase. Chinese companies and entrepreneurs are expanding beyond the Chinese market into our region and the world.

This significant shift signals a new trajectory in China’s development which manifests itself in several new dimensions that have an impact on the economics and geopolitics of our region.

China is already the largest trading partner of key regional and global economies. More significantly, China is now also a net exporter of capital. Chinese companies have doubled their overseas acquisitions in 2015 to over US$ 225 billion last year (2016).

This wave of acquisitions reflects the strong interest by Chinese companies to “venture out” of China to source for new markets and new sources of growth. This includes not just state-owned-enterprises in traditional business sectors, but also private companies with new technologies and business models. Chinese companies such as DJI in drones, BYD in batteries, Yingli in solar, Tencent, Alibaba in e-commerce are global tech giants today. I am glad to see that this Forum continues to have the “Future Economy” as a major theme.

China’s “venture-out” strategy is taking place in parallel with the internationalisation of the Renminbi (“RMB”). The RMB is now a major reserve currency, having been included in the IMF’s Special Drawing Rights basket from Oct 2016. China has also signed currency swap arrangements with central banks across the world, and established direct trading and RMB clearing services in many international financial centres including Singapore.

China’s new development trajectory brings with it challenges as well, as China continues to tackle issues such as excess industrial capacity and high corporate debt. But the signs are that China is managing this transition well.

China has also stepped up to play a larger role internationally, as a strong advocate for global collaboration on issues such as free trade, open markets and climate change. China’s outward facing new development trajectory depends on such a rules-based multilateral order. Ultimately, all countries, big and small, can develop and prosper, with a stable multilateral system, greater economic integration, and a climate of peace and security.

Realising Belt and Road Initiative

President Xi Jinping’s “Belt and Road” Initiative is a grand vision that represents China’s efforts to promote regional integration and engage more fully with the global economy.

The Belt and Road Initiative recalls the ancient overland Silk Road economic belt connecting China to Europe, together with the Maritime Silk Road connecting Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

In President Xi’s speech to the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in May this year, President Xi spoke of the Silk Road Spirit of “peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit”. This Spirit will contribute to the sustained peace and prosperity of all countries along the Belt and Road.

China is making significant investments in countries along the Belt and Road through the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the Silk Road Fund and the New Development Bank. The China Development Bank and Export-Import Bank of China have extended USD 110 billion in loans for Belt and Road Projects by end 2016.

Attention has understandably been largely focused on the headline-grabbing value and scale of specific large infrastructure projects along the Belt and Road. However, China appreciates that realising the full potential of the Belt and Road Initiative involves more dimensions and layers.

In its grand sweep, the overarching concept of the Belt and Road is, above all, about “Connectivity”.

• Going beyond the individual projects, to how they connect together in a network.

• Going beyond just physical linkages, to include digital and human networks too.

• Going beyond funding just from China’s own financial resources, to leveraging on funding by multiple stake-holders.

• Going beyond being driven principally by China, to being fully inclusive, co-owned by partners, and supported by the people from countries all along the Belt and Road.

Singapore and the Belt and Road

Singapore supports the Belt and Road Initiative, and reviving the Silk Road Spirit. We are an early and strong supporter of both the Belt and Road and the AIIB. In October 2014, Singapore joined 20 other countries as founding signatories of the AIIB agreement.

In February this year, I co-chaired the 13th Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation with Politburo Standing Committee Member and Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli. We agreed to make the Belt and Road Initiative a key focus area for our bilateral collaboration. This was followed in May this year, when Singapore and China signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Jointly Building the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road at the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing.

Vice Premier Zhang and I had discussed three priority areas for the Belt and Road that Singapore and China could work together on, namely: (i) Enhancing Physical and Digital Connectivity; (ii) Enhancing Financial Connectivity and (iii) Enhancing People-to-People Connectivity.

First, Enhancing Physical and Digital Connectivity. Large investments are being made in the cities and hubs along the Belt and Road, and to build new transportation links. The full potential of these investments can be realised when they form a network that allows the safe and free flow of goods - overland across Central Asia; and over the seas along the Maritime Silk Road through the South China Sea, the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, and the Indian Ocean.

Let me elaborate on Singapore’s position on the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. They are key Straits connecting the Pacific and Indian Ocean Basins, used by vessels from all countries.

The Straits of Malacca and Singapore have the status of Straits Used for International Navigation. Passage through these Straits is covered under the regime of transit passage, specifically provided for in international law. Transit passage cannot be suspended or impeded. Singapore is a strong proponent of the right of transit passage for ships and aircraft of all countries through the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. This is a key principle of vital interest to us as trade is our lifeblood. At the same time, adherence to this principle is also critical for the success of the modern Maritime Silk Route, as it ensures the smooth and unhindered flow of trade and traffic through the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. Singapore will continue to uphold this right of transit passage for ships and aircraft of all countries, and will not support any attempt to restrict transit passage to ships or aircraft from any country.

In 2006, Singapore disagreed with Australia’s proposal to place certain restrictions on vessels transiting the Torres Straits between Papua New Guinea and Australia, even though Singapore is also a strong advocate of marine environmental protection. China too had expressed her disagreement with this Australian proposal at that time.

Singapore naval ships and aircraft also work together in the Gulf of Aden, with ships from the navies of China, the United States, NATO, Japan, South Korea and other countries, to ensure that the sea lanes there remain safe from piracy.

Working together to keep the key sea lanes open and safe for shipping from all countries, and for all countries, is a key pre-requisite for the modern Maritime Silk Road.

Apart from physical connectivity, there is also tremendous potential to leverage on data and digital technology to connect people, and enhance the flow of goods, services and data among cities along the Belt and Road. This will create a network effect that magnifies the benefits in both the physical and virtual space.

A good example of both physical and virtual connectivity is the third Singapore-China Government-to-Government project, the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity (or “CCI” in short), launched two years ago. Both countries place emphasis on the CCI as a key priority demonstration project under China’s “Belt and Road”, Western Region Development and Yangtze River Economic Belt Strategies.

At the sidelines of the G20 meeting in Hamburg last week, Prime Minister Lee and President Xi discussed how Singapore could work with China to implement the Belt and Road Initiative including the CCI, which has achieved good progress in the priority areas of finance, transport and logistics, aviation and info-communications technology.

I am sure that during this Forum you will hear more about developments in the CCI, such as the Chongqing Logistics Development Platform (CLDP) and the Multimodal Distribution and Connectivity (DC) Centre.

Singapore and China are also working together to connect the overland Belt with the maritime Road through a new “Southern Transport Corridor”, which completes the link from Chongqing to Beibu Gulf in Guangxi. This new corridor, which has the advantage of being entirely within China’s territory, will offer a shorter and more direct trade route between Western China and the sea at Beibu Gulf, and onwards through the Straits of Singapore and Malacca to the Indian Ocean, Africa and Europe.

The Belt and Road is a key area of work for our Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation.

DPM Teo Chee Hean

Second, Enhancing Financial Cooperation. Emerging Asia alone is expected to require US$26 trillion of infrastructure investment from now to 2030. This creates opportunities to deepen financial linkages between Singapore and China to support new project financing needs and the internationalisation of the RMB.

Many financial institutions have major operations in Singapore which service countries along the Belt and Road. These financial institutions can play an active role in financing increased trade and investments between China and ASEAN, and along the Belt and Road. Chinese banks in particular, are growing their operations in Singapore to support the needs of Chinese and Singapore-based corporates participating in the Belt and Road.

There is potential for institutional investors to complement traditional bank financing, to match the financing needs of projects as they transition from greenfield and brownfield to the long-term operational phase.

The AIIB can also work with other multilateral financing institutions in Singapore such as the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA).

There is a need for officials from Belt and Road countries to raise their knowledge of project preparation and finance, and to operate and sustain Belt and Road projects. 

This brings me to the third area of Enhancing People-to-People Connectivity.

In the course of our own development, Singapore and China have accumulated useful experience and expertise which could be relevant for countries along the Belt and Road. Our shared experiences from the three bilateral flagship projects may also be useful for the Belt and Road projects.

Singapore and China can collaborate with third countries along the Belt and Road in human capital development. This could include programmes to share experiences in project preparation and finance, operating ports and airports, and managing industrial parks and free trade zones.

We can also encourage our think tanks to conduct joint research and seminars on the Belt and Road. This will help to develop greater mutual understanding of the possibilities and potential of the Belt and Road and how it applies to their region or country, and generate proposals and initiatives from the people living in the more than 60 countries along the Belt and Road.   

Such mutual learning is in line with the Silk Road Spirit of “peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit”.

This Spirit has connected the countries and people along the Belt and Road for centuries. In the opening of President Xi’s Speech to the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, he referred to the “thousand-year-old gilt-bronze Silkworm” from the Han period, and the Belitung shipwreck dating from about 830 AD during the late Tang period. The artefacts from the Belitung shipwreck are on display as part of the collection of the Asian Civilisations Museum here in Singapore. I would encourage our Forum participants to take some time to visit this exhibition.

Singapore-China Relations

Ladies and Gentlemen, Singapore and China have built a strong bilateral relationship that has adapted with the changing needs of both countries over the years. When Prime Minister Lee and President Xi met in Hamburg last week, they affirmed the substantive relationship between our two countries, our frequent high-level exchanges, and good progress in bilateral cooperation. Our cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative is a key example of this, which has much potential for broadening and deepening our relationship and taking it to the next level.

Indeed,there are many important partnerships and initiatives that Singapore and China are working on. In the coming year, both countries will be working together on an upgrade of the China-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (FTA). As Country Coordinator for ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations, and when we take on the ASEAN Chairmanship next year, we hope to work with China and our partner countries to expedite the conclusion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. These will strengthen the commitment to free trade in our region.

As we develop our bilateral relations, we also develop many long-standing friendships with Chinese leaders and officials. I am happy to recognise Mr Chen Deming, President of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits. He is a long-time friend of more than 20 years. Mr Chen worked with us on the Suzhou Industrial Park when he was Suzhou Mayor and then Party Secretary, and the China-Singapore FTA when he was Commerce Minister. I hope that many more long-lasting friendships will be developed during this Forum, and in the many partnerships that we have between our businesses, and at Government-to-Government level, in the coming years.

Conclusion

Let me conclude by returning to the theme of our Forum, and of my speech: Enhancing the Potential of the Belt and Road.

The Belt and Road Initiative is a grand vision that has the potential to bring long-lasting benefits for regional development and integration, uplifting the economies and peoples across this whole vast region.

While we have often focused on the physical infrastructure of the Belt and Road, other dimensions and layers are also important to realise the full potential of the Belt and Road Initiative. 

These include going beyond individual projects to form a network, beyond physical links to include digital and human networks; leveraging on international and institutional financial resources; and working inclusively with partners all along the Belt and Road.

Singapore will work with China to help realise this potential. The Belt and Road is a key area of work for our Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation. We will be discussing how we can work together to enhance Physical and Digital Connectivity, Financial Connectivity and People-to-People Connectivity.

I would like to commend Business China for organising this Forum, and thank the many speakers, agencies and companies for their support and participation.

I wish you a fruitful and interesting Forum.  Thank you very much.  

________ 

“强化‘一带一路’的潜力” 

海峡两岸关系协会会长陈德铭先生
通商中国主席李奕贤先生
中国中共广西自治区党委常委、广西壮族自治区人民政府常务副主席蓝天立先生
中国科学院副院长张杰教授
尊敬的各位阁下
国会同僚
各位贵宾
女士们、先生们

大家上午好。

中国自1978年实行改革开放，2001年加入世界贸易组织以来，其经济发展正进入新的阶段。许多中国企业及企业家“走出去”，开拓中国以外的市场，向本区域和国际市场迈进。

这一重大的转变标志着中国发展的新轨道，并在几个新的层面影响本区域的经济和地缘政治。

中国已经是区域及全球主要经济体的最大贸易伙伴。更为显著的是，中国目前也成为资本净出口国。中国企业的海外并购交易在一年内翻了一倍，达到去年（2016年）的2250亿美元。

这股并购热潮反映了中国企业对“走出去”，开疆拓土，寻找新市场和新增长动力兴趣勃勃。这些企业不仅仅是传统行业的国有企业，还包括新科技、新经营模式的私人企业，如制造无人机的大疆创新、开发锂电池的比亚迪、利用太阳能转化能源的英利，以及经营电子商业的腾讯及阿里巴巴，现今都是全球科技巨头。我很高兴慧眼中国环球论坛继续以“未来经济”作为讨论的主题。

中国企业“走出去”策略和人民币国际化正同步进行。人民币自2016年10月起被列入国际货币基金组织特别提款权篮子，现在已经成为主要的储备货币。中国政府也同世界各地的中央银行签署货币互换安排协议，并在多个国际金融中心包括新加坡，设立了直接交易及人民币清算服务。

中国的新发展轨道也带来挑战。中国得继续克服不少问题包括工业产能过剩以及企业债务高筑。种种迹象显示，中国在应付这个转型期，各方面的问题都处理得很好。

中国也在国际舞台上扮演更重要的角色，积极提倡全球合作，促进自由贸易、维持市场开放、关注气候变化等课题。中国的外向型新发展轨道仰赖以规则为基础的多边合作秩序。最终，所有国家，无论大小，都能在稳定的多边合作体系下，实现更大的经济一体化，并在和平安全的环境中繁荣发展。
实现“一带一路”倡议
中国国家主席习近平先生提出的“一带一路”倡议是一个宏伟的愿景，象征着中国致力于推动区域一体化以及更全面参与全球经济。

“一带一路”倡议涵盖中国通往欧洲的古丝绸之路陆上经济带，以及连接亚洲、中东和非洲的海上丝绸之路。

习主席于今年5月的“一带一路”国际合作高峰论坛上发表演讲时，提到了以“和平合作、开放包容、互学互鉴、互利共赢”为核心的丝路精神。这股精神将为“一带一路”沿线各国维持和平与繁荣作出贡献。

中国通过亚洲基础设施投资银行、丝路基金和新开发银行，对“一带一路”沿线国家进行了重大投资。截至2016年底，中国国家开发银行和中国进出口银行发放了总值1100亿美元的贷款支持“一带一路”项目。

理所当然的，众人的目光多聚焦在“一带一路”沿线的巨额大型基础建设项目。然而，中国也意识到，要充分实现“一带一路”的潜力，必须涉及更多方面和层次。

总括而言，“一带一路”的整体概念就是“互联互通”，分别体现在：

• 超越个别项目，形成项目与项目间的网络；

• 超越实体链，扩展数码和人际网络；

• 超越中国国内注资，吸引多方利益相关者注资；

• 超越中国主线，构建开放包容，共商共建，“一带一路”沿线国家全民支持。

新加坡和“一带一路”

新加坡支持“一带一路”倡议，也支持传承丝路精神。新加坡是“一带一路”和亚投行建设的早期及有力的支持者。2014年10月，新加坡和另外20个国家成为首批签署《筹建亚投行备忘录》的创始成员国。

今年2月，我与中国中共中央政治局常委和副总理张高丽先生共同主持了第13届新中双边合作联合委员会会议。当时，我们同意将“一带一路”确立为新中双边合作的重点项目。之后，新中两国今年5月于北京举行的“一带一路”高峰论坛上签署了“共建丝绸之路经济带”和“21世纪海上丝绸之路”的谅解备忘录。

我和张副总理也讨论了新中两国可以在“一带一路”倡议下合作发展的三大重点领域，包括1）加强实体和数码领域的互联互通；2）加强金融领域的互联互通；以及3）加强人民之间的互联互通。

首先，加强实体和数码领域的互联互通。大量投资涌向沿线城市和商业枢纽，构建新的交通网络。要全面实现这些投资的潜力，就要建设一个能让货物安全自由流动的网络 – 一个横跨中亚陆路，沿着海上丝绸之路穿过南中国海，通往马六甲海峡和新加坡海峡以及印度洋的网络。

在这里，我要进一步说明新加坡在马六甲海峡和新加坡海峡的立场。这两条海峡是连接太平洋和印度洋盆地的主要水道，是世界各地的船只都会使用的国际航道。

马六甲海峡和新加坡海峡是用于国际航行的海峡。国际法明文规定，通行于这两条海峡的船舶都享有过境通行权。过境通行不得被中止或受阻。新加坡也全力支持所有国家的船舶和飞机在马六甲海峡和新加坡海峡享有过境通行权。这是一个重要的原则，攸关我们的切身利益，因为贸易是我们赖以生存的命脉。同时，坚守这个原则也是现代海上丝绸之路取得成功的关键，因为这样才能确保马六甲海峡和新加坡海峡的贸易和航运畅通无阻。新加坡会继续维护所有国家的船舶和飞机的过境通行权，我们不会支持任何企图限制来自任何国家的船舶和飞机过境通行。

2006年，澳大利亚提议对穿行于巴布亚新几内亚和澳大利亚之间的托雷斯海峡的船只实施特定限制，新加坡不赞同这个提议，尽管新加坡也是海洋环境保护的强力拥护者。中国也不赞同澳大利亚的提议。

新加坡的海军舰艇和军机也同中国、美国、北大西洋公约组织、日本、韩国以及其他国家的海军舰队合作，一起在亚丁湾打击海盗，确保海道安全。

携手合作，共同维持主要海道开放和维护来自所有国家的航运安全，这对所有国家而言，是开辟现代海上丝绸之路的主要先决条件。

除了实体互联互通之外，我们也可以借助数据和数码科技的巨大潜力，把“一带一路”沿线城市的人民联系起来，加强货物、服务和数据的流动。这将在实体和虚拟空间形成网络效应，扩大互联互通所带来的利益。

实现实体和虚拟互联互通的一个很好的例子就是，新中两国在两年前启动的第三个政府间合作项目 - 中新（重庆）战略性互联互通示范项目（简称“重庆互联互通项目”）。两国同意着重发展重庆互联互通项目，让它成为中国 “一带一路” 倡议下，西部大开发和长江经济带策略的重点示范项目。

上星期，李显龙总理在德国汉堡举行的二十国集团 (G20) 领导人峰会场边，同习主席讨论了新加坡如何同中国合作，推行 “一带一路” 倡议，其中包括重庆互联互通项目。这个项目已经在金融、交通和物流、航空和通信科技等重点领域取得不俗的进展。

我相信，在座的各位将从这个论坛了解更多有关重庆互联互通项目的发展，如重庆互联互通物流发展平台以及多式联运示范基地。

新加坡和中国也合作发展“南部交通走廊”，通过这个新项目把陆上的丝绸之路经济带和21世纪海上丝绸之路衔接起来，完整地把重庆和广西的北部湾连成一线。这条新走廊的优势在于它完全处于中国境内，将为中国西部和北部湾之间提供更短、更直接的贸易路线，并且向外能通往新加坡海峡和马六甲海峡，直达印度洋、非洲和欧洲。

第二，加强金融的互联互通。从现在到2030年，单单是新兴亚洲国家的基础设施预计就需要26兆美元的投资。这将为新中两国提供机遇，借此深化两国之间的金融联系，为新的发展项目提供融资，并推动人民币国际化进程。

许多金融机构在新加坡设点，主要业务就是为“一带一路”的沿线国家提供服务。随着中国和亚细安双边贸易和投资的增加，这些金融机构可以在融资上扮演积极角色，同时也为“一带一路”沿线国家提供融资。其中，中资银行在新加坡扩展业务，为参与“一带一路”的中国企业和总部设在新加坡的企业的需要提供支持。

机构投资者也可以同传统银行融资相辅相成，满足各项目的融资需求，让创建的新项目或扩建的现有项目都能顺利地过渡到长期运作阶段。 

此外，亚洲基础设施投资银行也可以同其他总部设在新加坡的多边融资机构，如国际复兴开发银行(IBRD)、国际金融公司(IFC) 和多边投资担保机构 (MIGA)展开合作。

“一带一路”沿线国家的官员也必须提高他们对项目筹备和融资的认识，以经营和维持“一带一路”项目。

新加坡将继续同中国合作，携手强化“一带一路”的潜力。

DPM Teo Chee Hean

这也把我们带到第三点—加强人民之间的互联互通。

新加坡和中国在各自的发展过程中，累积了不少有用的知识和经验，可供“一带一路”沿线国家应用参考。我们在三项双边政府间旗舰合作项目所共同吸取的经验也可能对“一带一路”项目有所帮助。

因此，新中两国可以同“一带一路”沿线的第三方国家合作，一起开发人力资源。这包括开办课程，分享我们在项目筹备和融资、港口和机场经营、工业园和自由贸易区管理方面的经验。

我们也可以鼓励两国的智库展开有关“一带一路”的联合研究，或举办研讨会。这将有助于增进两国对“一带一路”发展机遇和潜力的了解，探讨如何把这些知识应用到本区域或相关国家，并启发“一带一路”沿线60多个国家的人民提出建议和计划。

这种互相学习的模式正符合“和平合作、开放包容、互学互鉴、互利共赢”的丝路精神。

这股精神数百年来把“一带一路”沿线国家和人民联系在一起。习主席在“一带一路”国际合作高峰论坛开幕式上的演讲中，提到了汉代铜器“鎏金铜蚕”以及晚唐时期的“黑石号”沉船。“黑石号”沉船文物，作为新加坡亚洲文明博物馆的珍藏，目前正在馆内展出。我鼓励与会者能抽出一些时间参观这项展览。 

新中关系 

女士们、先生们，新加坡和中国多年来建立了坚实的双边关系，与时俱进。上个星期，李显龙总理和习主席在德国汉堡会面时，肯定了新中实质性的双边关系、两国高层频密的交流，以及进展良好的双边合作。两国在“一带一路”倡议上的合作就是一个很好的重要例子，有望扩大和加深新中关系，让双边关系更上一层楼。

的确，新加坡和中国之间有许多重要的伙伴关系和合作项目正在进行。接下来的一年里，两国将携手拟定中国-新加坡自由贸易协定升级版。作为亚细安-中国对话关系协调国及来年亚细安主席国。我们希望同中国和各伙伴国合作，加快完成区域全面经济伙伴关系协定谈判。这将加强推动本区域自由贸易的决心。

我们在发展双边关系的同时，也同多名中国领导人和官员建立了长久深厚的友谊。我很高兴在这里见到海协会会长陈德铭先生。他是我认识20多年的老朋友。陈会长过去在担任苏州市市长和党委书记期间，曾同我们一起在苏州工业园项目上合作。而后来，新加坡和中国签署自由贸易协定时，陈会长是时任的商务部部长。

结语

最后，让我回到这次论坛和我演讲的主题 ：强化“一带一路”的潜力。

“一带一路”倡议是一个宏伟的愿景，有潜力为区域发展和整合带来长远的利益，提升这个广大区域的经济发展和人民的生活。

要充分发挥“一带一路”倡议的潜力，除了着重发展“一带一路”实体基础建设之外，其他方面和层次的发展也至关重要。

这包括从个别项目发展到将各项目连接成一个网络，从实体链发展到包含数码网络和人脉关系的连接，借助国际和各体制的金融资源，以及同“一带一路”沿线的伙伴国包容合作。

新加坡将继续同中国合作，携手强化“一带一路”的潜力。“一带一路”倡议是新中双边合作联合委员会的重点项目。我们将讨论如何合作加强实体和数码的互联互通、金融的互联互通，以及人民之间的互联互通。

在这里，我要表扬通商中国举办慧眼中国环球论坛，同时也要感谢许多演讲嘉宾、机构和企业的支持和参与。

预祝论坛圆满成功！谢谢大家。

“Enhancing the Potential of the Belt and Road Initiative”

Mr Chen De Ming, President of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits,
Minister Josephine Teo,
Senior Minister of State Koh Poh Koon,
Mr Lee Yi Shyan, Chairman of Business China,
Mr Lan Tianli, Standing Member of the CPC Guangxi Autonomous Regional Committee and Executive Vice Chairman of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region,
Professor Zhang Jie, Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences,
Your Excellencies,
Parliamentary Colleagues,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good Morning to all of you. 

China has made great progress since it started market reforms in 1978, and joined the World Trade Organisation in 2001. China’s economic development is now entering a new phase. Chinese companies and entrepreneurs are expanding beyond the Chinese market into our region and the world.

This significant shift signals a new trajectory in China’s development which manifests itself in several new dimensions that have an impact on the economics and geopolitics of our region.

China is already the largest trading partner of key regional and global economies. More significantly, China is now also a net exporter of capital. Chinese companies have doubled their overseas acquisitions in 2015 to over US$ 225 billion last year (2016).

This wave of acquisitions reflects the strong interest by Chinese companies to “venture out” of China to source for new markets and new sources of growth. This includes not just state-owned-enterprises in traditional business sectors, but also private companies with new technologies and business models. Chinese companies such as DJI in drones, BYD in batteries, Yingli in solar, Tencent, Alibaba in e-commerce are global tech giants today. I am glad to see that this Forum continues to have the “Future Economy” as a major theme.

China’s “venture-out” strategy is taking place in parallel with the internationalisation of the Renminbi (“RMB”). The RMB is now a major reserve currency, having been included in the IMF’s Special Drawing Rights basket from Oct 2016. China has also signed currency swap arrangements with central banks across the world, and established direct trading and RMB clearing services in many international financial centres including Singapore.

China’s new development trajectory brings with it challenges as well, as China continues to tackle issues such as excess industrial capacity and high corporate debt. But the signs are that China is managing this transition well.

China has also stepped up to play a larger role internationally, as a strong advocate for global collaboration on issues such as free trade, open markets and climate change. China’s outward facing new development trajectory depends on such a rules-based multilateral order. Ultimately, all countries, big and small, can develop and prosper, with a stable multilateral system, greater economic integration, and a climate of peace and security.

Realising Belt and Road Initiative

President Xi Jinping’s “Belt and Road” Initiative is a grand vision that represents China’s efforts to promote regional integration and engage more fully with the global economy.

The Belt and Road Initiative recalls the ancient overland Silk Road economic belt connecting China to Europe, together with the Maritime Silk Road connecting Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

In President Xi’s speech to the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in May this year, President Xi spoke of the Silk Road Spirit of “peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit”. This Spirit will contribute to the sustained peace and prosperity of all countries along the Belt and Road.

China is making significant investments in countries along the Belt and Road through the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the Silk Road Fund and the New Development Bank. The China Development Bank and Export-Import Bank of China have extended USD 110 billion in loans for Belt and Road Projects by end 2016.

Attention has understandably been largely focused on the headline-grabbing value and scale of specific large infrastructure projects along the Belt and Road. However, China appreciates that realising the full potential of the Belt and Road Initiative involves more dimensions and layers.

In its grand sweep, the overarching concept of the Belt and Road is, above all, about “Connectivity”.

• Going beyond the individual projects, to how they connect together in a network.

• Going beyond just physical linkages, to include digital and human networks too.

• Going beyond funding just from China’s own financial resources, to leveraging on funding by multiple stake-holders.

• Going beyond being driven principally by China, to being fully inclusive, co-owned by partners, and supported by the people from countries all along the Belt and Road.

Singapore and the Belt and Road

Singapore supports the Belt and Road Initiative, and reviving the Silk Road Spirit. We are an early and strong supporter of both the Belt and Road and the AIIB. In October 2014, Singapore joined 20 other countries as founding signatories of the AIIB agreement.

In February this year, I co-chaired the 13th Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation with Politburo Standing Committee Member and Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli. We agreed to make the Belt and Road Initiative a key focus area for our bilateral collaboration. This was followed in May this year, when Singapore and China signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Jointly Building the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road at the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing.

Vice Premier Zhang and I had discussed three priority areas for the Belt and Road that Singapore and China could work together on, namely: (i) Enhancing Physical and Digital Connectivity; (ii) Enhancing Financial Connectivity and (iii) Enhancing People-to-People Connectivity.

First, Enhancing Physical and Digital Connectivity. Large investments are being made in the cities and hubs along the Belt and Road, and to build new transportation links. The full potential of these investments can be realised when they form a network that allows the safe and free flow of goods - overland across Central Asia; and over the seas along the Maritime Silk Road through the South China Sea, the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, and the Indian Ocean.

Let me elaborate on Singapore’s position on the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. They are key Straits connecting the Pacific and Indian Ocean Basins, used by vessels from all countries.

The Straits of Malacca and Singapore have the status of Straits Used for International Navigation. Passage through these Straits is covered under the regime of transit passage, specifically provided for in international law. Transit passage cannot be suspended or impeded. Singapore is a strong proponent of the right of transit passage for ships and aircraft of all countries through the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. This is a key principle of vital interest to us as trade is our lifeblood. At the same time, adherence to this principle is also critical for the success of the modern Maritime Silk Route, as it ensures the smooth and unhindered flow of trade and traffic through the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. Singapore will continue to uphold this right of transit passage for ships and aircraft of all countries, and will not support any attempt to restrict transit passage to ships or aircraft from any country.

In 2006, Singapore disagreed with Australia’s proposal to place certain restrictions on vessels transiting the Torres Straits between Papua New Guinea and Australia, even though Singapore is also a strong advocate of marine environmental protection. China too had expressed her disagreement with this Australian proposal at that time.

Singapore naval ships and aircraft also work together in the Gulf of Aden, with ships from the navies of China, the United States, NATO, Japan, South Korea and other countries, to ensure that the sea lanes there remain safe from piracy.

Working together to keep the key sea lanes open and safe for shipping from all countries, and for all countries, is a key pre-requisite for the modern Maritime Silk Road.

Apart from physical connectivity, there is also tremendous potential to leverage on data and digital technology to connect people, and enhance the flow of goods, services and data among cities along the Belt and Road. This will create a network effect that magnifies the benefits in both the physical and virtual space.

A good example of both physical and virtual connectivity is the third Singapore-China Government-to-Government project, the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity (or “CCI” in short), launched two years ago. Both countries place emphasis on the CCI as a key priority demonstration project under China’s “Belt and Road”, Western Region Development and Yangtze River Economic Belt Strategies.

At the sidelines of the G20 meeting in Hamburg last week, Prime Minister Lee and President Xi discussed how Singapore could work with China to implement the Belt and Road Initiative including the CCI, which has achieved good progress in the priority areas of finance, transport and logistics, aviation and info-communications technology.

I am sure that during this Forum you will hear more about developments in the CCI, such as the Chongqing Logistics Development Platform (CLDP) and the Multimodal Distribution and Connectivity (DC) Centre.

Singapore and China are also working together to connect the overland Belt with the maritime Road through a new “Southern Transport Corridor”, which completes the link from Chongqing to Beibu Gulf in Guangxi. This new corridor, which has the advantage of being entirely within China’s territory, will offer a shorter and more direct trade route between Western China and the sea at Beibu Gulf, and onwards through the Straits of Singapore and Malacca to the Indian Ocean, Africa and Europe.

The Belt and Road is a key area of work for our Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation.

DPM Teo Chee Hean

Second, Enhancing Financial Cooperation. Emerging Asia alone is expected to require US$26 trillion of infrastructure investment from now to 2030. This creates opportunities to deepen financial linkages between Singapore and China to support new project financing needs and the internationalisation of the RMB.

Many financial institutions have major operations in Singapore which service countries along the Belt and Road. These financial institutions can play an active role in financing increased trade and investments between China and ASEAN, and along the Belt and Road. Chinese banks in particular, are growing their operations in Singapore to support the needs of Chinese and Singapore-based corporates participating in the Belt and Road.

There is potential for institutional investors to complement traditional bank financing, to match the financing needs of projects as they transition from greenfield and brownfield to the long-term operational phase.

The AIIB can also work with other multilateral financing institutions in Singapore such as the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA).

There is a need for officials from Belt and Road countries to raise their knowledge of project preparation and finance, and to operate and sustain Belt and Road projects. 

This brings me to the third area of Enhancing People-to-People Connectivity.

In the course of our own development, Singapore and China have accumulated useful experience and expertise which could be relevant for countries along the Belt and Road. Our shared experiences from the three bilateral flagship projects may also be useful for the Belt and Road projects.

Singapore and China can collaborate with third countries along the Belt and Road in human capital development. This could include programmes to share experiences in project preparation and finance, operating ports and airports, and managing industrial parks and free trade zones.

We can also encourage our think tanks to conduct joint research and seminars on the Belt and Road. This will help to develop greater mutual understanding of the possibilities and potential of the Belt and Road and how it applies to their region or country, and generate proposals and initiatives from the people living in the more than 60 countries along the Belt and Road.   

Such mutual learning is in line with the Silk Road Spirit of “peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit”.

This Spirit has connected the countries and people along the Belt and Road for centuries. In the opening of President Xi’s Speech to the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, he referred to the “thousand-year-old gilt-bronze Silkworm” from the Han period, and the Belitung shipwreck dating from about 830 AD during the late Tang period. The artefacts from the Belitung shipwreck are on display as part of the collection of the Asian Civilisations Museum here in Singapore. I would encourage our Forum participants to take some time to visit this exhibition.

Singapore-China Relations

Ladies and Gentlemen, Singapore and China have built a strong bilateral relationship that has adapted with the changing needs of both countries over the years. When Prime Minister Lee and President Xi met in Hamburg last week, they affirmed the substantive relationship between our two countries, our frequent high-level exchanges, and good progress in bilateral cooperation. Our cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative is a key example of this, which has much potential for broadening and deepening our relationship and taking it to the next level.

Indeed,there are many important partnerships and initiatives that Singapore and China are working on. In the coming year, both countries will be working together on an upgrade of the China-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (FTA). As Country Coordinator for ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations, and when we take on the ASEAN Chairmanship next year, we hope to work with China and our partner countries to expedite the conclusion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. These will strengthen the commitment to free trade in our region.

As we develop our bilateral relations, we also develop many long-standing friendships with Chinese leaders and officials. I am happy to recognise Mr Chen Deming, President of the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits. He is a long-time friend of more than 20 years. Mr Chen worked with us on the Suzhou Industrial Park when he was Suzhou Mayor and then Party Secretary, and the China-Singapore FTA when he was Commerce Minister. I hope that many more long-lasting friendships will be developed during this Forum, and in the many partnerships that we have between our businesses, and at Government-to-Government level, in the coming years.

Conclusion

Let me conclude by returning to the theme of our Forum, and of my speech: Enhancing the Potential of the Belt and Road.

The Belt and Road Initiative is a grand vision that has the potential to bring long-lasting benefits for regional development and integration, uplifting the economies and peoples across this whole vast region.

While we have often focused on the physical infrastructure of the Belt and Road, other dimensions and layers are also important to realise the full potential of the Belt and Road Initiative. 

These include going beyond individual projects to form a network, beyond physical links to include digital and human networks; leveraging on international and institutional financial resources; and working inclusively with partners all along the Belt and Road.

Singapore will work with China to help realise this potential. The Belt and Road is a key area of work for our Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation. We will be discussing how we can work together to enhance Physical and Digital Connectivity, Financial Connectivity and People-to-People Connectivity.

I would like to commend Business China for organising this Forum, and thank the many speakers, agencies and companies for their support and participation.

I wish you a fruitful and interesting Forum.  Thank you very much.  

________ 

“强化‘一带一路’的潜力” 

海峡两岸关系协会会长陈德铭先生
通商中国主席李奕贤先生
中国中共广西自治区党委常委、广西壮族自治区人民政府常务副主席蓝天立先生
中国科学院副院长张杰教授
尊敬的各位阁下
国会同僚
各位贵宾
女士们、先生们

大家上午好。

中国自1978年实行改革开放，2001年加入世界贸易组织以来，其经济发展正进入新的阶段。许多中国企业及企业家“走出去”，开拓中国以外的市场，向本区域和国际市场迈进。

这一重大的转变标志着中国发展的新轨道，并在几个新的层面影响本区域的经济和地缘政治。

中国已经是区域及全球主要经济体的最大贸易伙伴。更为显著的是，中国目前也成为资本净出口国。中国企业的海外并购交易在一年内翻了一倍，达到去年（2016年）的2250亿美元。

这股并购热潮反映了中国企业对“走出去”，开疆拓土，寻找新市场和新增长动力兴趣勃勃。这些企业不仅仅是传统行业的国有企业，还包括新科技、新经营模式的私人企业，如制造无人机的大疆创新、开发锂电池的比亚迪、利用太阳能转化能源的英利，以及经营电子商业的腾讯及阿里巴巴，现今都是全球科技巨头。我很高兴慧眼中国环球论坛继续以“未来经济”作为讨论的主题。

中国企业“走出去”策略和人民币国际化正同步进行。人民币自2016年10月起被列入国际货币基金组织特别提款权篮子，现在已经成为主要的储备货币。中国政府也同世界各地的中央银行签署货币互换安排协议，并在多个国际金融中心包括新加坡，设立了直接交易及人民币清算服务。

中国的新发展轨道也带来挑战。中国得继续克服不少问题包括工业产能过剩以及企业债务高筑。种种迹象显示，中国在应付这个转型期，各方面的问题都处理得很好。

中国也在国际舞台上扮演更重要的角色，积极提倡全球合作，促进自由贸易、维持市场开放、关注气候变化等课题。中国的外向型新发展轨道仰赖以规则为基础的多边合作秩序。最终，所有国家，无论大小，都能在稳定的多边合作体系下，实现更大的经济一体化，并在和平安全的环境中繁荣发展。
实现“一带一路”倡议
中国国家主席习近平先生提出的“一带一路”倡议是一个宏伟的愿景，象征着中国致力于推动区域一体化以及更全面参与全球经济。

“一带一路”倡议涵盖中国通往欧洲的古丝绸之路陆上经济带，以及连接亚洲、中东和非洲的海上丝绸之路。

习主席于今年5月的“一带一路”国际合作高峰论坛上发表演讲时，提到了以“和平合作、开放包容、互学互鉴、互利共赢”为核心的丝路精神。这股精神将为“一带一路”沿线各国维持和平与繁荣作出贡献。

中国通过亚洲基础设施投资银行、丝路基金和新开发银行，对“一带一路”沿线国家进行了重大投资。截至2016年底，中国国家开发银行和中国进出口银行发放了总值1100亿美元的贷款支持“一带一路”项目。

理所当然的，众人的目光多聚焦在“一带一路”沿线的巨额大型基础建设项目。然而，中国也意识到，要充分实现“一带一路”的潜力，必须涉及更多方面和层次。

总括而言，“一带一路”的整体概念就是“互联互通”，分别体现在：

• 超越个别项目，形成项目与项目间的网络；

• 超越实体链，扩展数码和人际网络；

• 超越中国国内注资，吸引多方利益相关者注资；

• 超越中国主线，构建开放包容，共商共建，“一带一路”沿线国家全民支持。

新加坡和“一带一路”

新加坡支持“一带一路”倡议，也支持传承丝路精神。新加坡是“一带一路”和亚投行建设的早期及有力的支持者。2014年10月，新加坡和另外20个国家成为首批签署《筹建亚投行备忘录》的创始成员国。

今年2月，我与中国中共中央政治局常委和副总理张高丽先生共同主持了第13届新中双边合作联合委员会会议。当时，我们同意将“一带一路”确立为新中双边合作的重点项目。之后，新中两国今年5月于北京举行的“一带一路”高峰论坛上签署了“共建丝绸之路经济带”和“21世纪海上丝绸之路”的谅解备忘录。

我和张副总理也讨论了新中两国可以在“一带一路”倡议下合作发展的三大重点领域，包括1）加强实体和数码领域的互联互通；2）加强金融领域的互联互通；以及3）加强人民之间的互联互通。

首先，加强实体和数码领域的互联互通。大量投资涌向沿线城市和商业枢纽，构建新的交通网络。要全面实现这些投资的潜力，就要建设一个能让货物安全自由流动的网络 – 一个横跨中亚陆路，沿着海上丝绸之路穿过南中国海，通往马六甲海峡和新加坡海峡以及印度洋的网络。

在这里，我要进一步说明新加坡在马六甲海峡和新加坡海峡的立场。这两条海峡是连接太平洋和印度洋盆地的主要水道，是世界各地的船只都会使用的国际航道。

马六甲海峡和新加坡海峡是用于国际航行的海峡。国际法明文规定，通行于这两条海峡的船舶都享有过境通行权。过境通行不得被中止或受阻。新加坡也全力支持所有国家的船舶和飞机在马六甲海峡和新加坡海峡享有过境通行权。这是一个重要的原则，攸关我们的切身利益，因为贸易是我们赖以生存的命脉。同时，坚守这个原则也是现代海上丝绸之路取得成功的关键，因为这样才能确保马六甲海峡和新加坡海峡的贸易和航运畅通无阻。新加坡会继续维护所有国家的船舶和飞机的过境通行权，我们不会支持任何企图限制来自任何国家的船舶和飞机过境通行。

2006年，澳大利亚提议对穿行于巴布亚新几内亚和澳大利亚之间的托雷斯海峡的船只实施特定限制，新加坡不赞同这个提议，尽管新加坡也是海洋环境保护的强力拥护者。中国也不赞同澳大利亚的提议。

新加坡的海军舰艇和军机也同中国、美国、北大西洋公约组织、日本、韩国以及其他国家的海军舰队合作，一起在亚丁湾打击海盗，确保海道安全。

携手合作，共同维持主要海道开放和维护来自所有国家的航运安全，这对所有国家而言，是开辟现代海上丝绸之路的主要先决条件。

除了实体互联互通之外，我们也可以借助数据和数码科技的巨大潜力，把“一带一路”沿线城市的人民联系起来，加强货物、服务和数据的流动。这将在实体和虚拟空间形成网络效应，扩大互联互通所带来的利益。

实现实体和虚拟互联互通的一个很好的例子就是，新中两国在两年前启动的第三个政府间合作项目 - 中新（重庆）战略性互联互通示范项目（简称“重庆互联互通项目”）。两国同意着重发展重庆互联互通项目，让它成为中国 “一带一路” 倡议下，西部大开发和长江经济带策略的重点示范项目。

上星期，李显龙总理在德国汉堡举行的二十国集团 (G20) 领导人峰会场边，同习主席讨论了新加坡如何同中国合作，推行 “一带一路” 倡议，其中包括重庆互联互通项目。这个项目已经在金融、交通和物流、航空和通信科技等重点领域取得不俗的进展。

我相信，在座的各位将从这个论坛了解更多有关重庆互联互通项目的发展，如重庆互联互通物流发展平台以及多式联运示范基地。

新加坡和中国也合作发展“南部交通走廊”，通过这个新项目把陆上的丝绸之路经济带和21世纪海上丝绸之路衔接起来，完整地把重庆和广西的北部湾连成一线。这条新走廊的优势在于它完全处于中国境内，将为中国西部和北部湾之间提供更短、更直接的贸易路线，并且向外能通往新加坡海峡和马六甲海峡，直达印度洋、非洲和欧洲。

第二，加强金融的互联互通。从现在到2030年，单单是新兴亚洲国家的基础设施预计就需要26兆美元的投资。这将为新中两国提供机遇，借此深化两国之间的金融联系，为新的发展项目提供融资，并推动人民币国际化进程。

许多金融机构在新加坡设点，主要业务就是为“一带一路”的沿线国家提供服务。随着中国和亚细安双边贸易和投资的增加，这些金融机构可以在融资上扮演积极角色，同时也为“一带一路”沿线国家提供融资。其中，中资银行在新加坡扩展业务，为参与“一带一路”的中国企业和总部设在新加坡的企业的需要提供支持。

机构投资者也可以同传统银行融资相辅相成，满足各项目的融资需求，让创建的新项目或扩建的现有项目都能顺利地过渡到长期运作阶段。 

此外，亚洲基础设施投资银行也可以同其他总部设在新加坡的多边融资机构，如国际复兴开发银行(IBRD)、国际金融公司(IFC) 和多边投资担保机构 (MIGA)展开合作。

“一带一路”沿线国家的官员也必须提高他们对项目筹备和融资的认识，以经营和维持“一带一路”项目。

新加坡将继续同中国合作，携手强化“一带一路”的潜力。

DPM Teo Chee Hean

这也把我们带到第三点—加强人民之间的互联互通。

新加坡和中国在各自的发展过程中，累积了不少有用的知识和经验，可供“一带一路”沿线国家应用参考。我们在三项双边政府间旗舰合作项目所共同吸取的经验也可能对“一带一路”项目有所帮助。

因此，新中两国可以同“一带一路”沿线的第三方国家合作，一起开发人力资源。这包括开办课程，分享我们在项目筹备和融资、港口和机场经营、工业园和自由贸易区管理方面的经验。

我们也可以鼓励两国的智库展开有关“一带一路”的联合研究，或举办研讨会。这将有助于增进两国对“一带一路”发展机遇和潜力的了解，探讨如何把这些知识应用到本区域或相关国家，并启发“一带一路”沿线60多个国家的人民提出建议和计划。

这种互相学习的模式正符合“和平合作、开放包容、互学互鉴、互利共赢”的丝路精神。

这股精神数百年来把“一带一路”沿线国家和人民联系在一起。习主席在“一带一路”国际合作高峰论坛开幕式上的演讲中，提到了汉代铜器“鎏金铜蚕”以及晚唐时期的“黑石号”沉船。“黑石号”沉船文物，作为新加坡亚洲文明博物馆的珍藏，目前正在馆内展出。我鼓励与会者能抽出一些时间参观这项展览。 

新中关系 

女士们、先生们，新加坡和中国多年来建立了坚实的双边关系，与时俱进。上个星期，李显龙总理和习主席在德国汉堡会面时，肯定了新中实质性的双边关系、两国高层频密的交流，以及进展良好的双边合作。两国在“一带一路”倡议上的合作就是一个很好的重要例子，有望扩大和加深新中关系，让双边关系更上一层楼。

的确，新加坡和中国之间有许多重要的伙伴关系和合作项目正在进行。接下来的一年里，两国将携手拟定中国-新加坡自由贸易协定升级版。作为亚细安-中国对话关系协调国及来年亚细安主席国。我们希望同中国和各伙伴国合作，加快完成区域全面经济伙伴关系协定谈判。这将加强推动本区域自由贸易的决心。

我们在发展双边关系的同时，也同多名中国领导人和官员建立了长久深厚的友谊。我很高兴在这里见到海协会会长陈德铭先生。他是我认识20多年的老朋友。陈会长过去在担任苏州市市长和党委书记期间，曾同我们一起在苏州工业园项目上合作。而后来，新加坡和中国签署自由贸易协定时，陈会长是时任的商务部部长。

结语

最后，让我回到这次论坛和我演讲的主题 ：强化“一带一路”的潜力。

“一带一路”倡议是一个宏伟的愿景，有潜力为区域发展和整合带来长远的利益，提升这个广大区域的经济发展和人民的生活。

要充分发挥“一带一路”倡议的潜力，除了着重发展“一带一路”实体基础建设之外，其他方面和层次的发展也至关重要。

这包括从个别项目发展到将各项目连接成一个网络，从实体链发展到包含数码网络和人脉关系的连接，借助国际和各体制的金融资源，以及同“一带一路”沿线的伙伴国包容合作。

新加坡将继续同中国合作，携手强化“一带一路”的潜力。“一带一路”倡议是新中双边合作联合委员会的重点项目。我们将讨论如何合作加强实体和数码的互联互通、金融的互联互通，以及人民之间的互联互通。

在这里，我要表扬通商中国举办慧眼中国环球论坛，同时也要感谢许多演讲嘉宾、机构和企业的支持和参与。

预祝论坛圆满成功！谢谢大家。

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