Wang Yi Has a Phone Call with Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan of Singapore

On December 24, 2022, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi had a phone call with Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan at the latter's request.

Wang Yi said that President Xi Jinping had an in-person meeting with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in Bangkok after three years, providing strategic guidance for bilateral relations. He noted that as the world enters a period of turbulence and changes, the region is faced with growing destabilizing factors and uncertainties. In this context, the enhanced communication and coordination between China and Singapore and their joint effort to meet challenges have not only safeguarded the two countries' respective interests, but also provided an important stabilizing factor to the region and beyond. As the year draws to an end, it is important for the two sides to take stock of the successful experience, so as to inject new impetus into the more vigorous development of bilateral relations.

Vivian expressed high appreciation of the high-level exchanges between the two countries, and stressed the importance Singapore attaches to the major common understandings and cooperation outcomes between both sides. He noted, in particular, that the upcoming resumption of direct flights between Singapore and Beijing will further facilitate the flow of people between the two sides. Singapore looks forward to working with China to make good preparations for the high-level interactions between the two sides in the next stage to promote greater development of bilateral relations.

Vivian said that China has made significant achievements in its fight against COVID-19 over the past three years, and has made important contributions to international cooperation against the pandemic. China has a strong leadership system, a strong capacity for research and development, and a strong healthcare system, which will help China overcome new challenges and achieve accelerated economic and social recovery. Singapore has full confidence in this, and is willing to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China in the spirit of brotherhood.

Wang Yi briefed him on the current situation in China's fight against the pandemic, stressing that "putting people and their lives first" remains the unchanging governance philosophy of the Communist Party of China and the Chinese government. The Chinese people have weathered and overcome major challenges and difficulties of all kinds, and will surely win a final victory over the pandemic. China will continue to provide more conveniences for people-to-people exchanges with other countries. With the accumulated demand unleashed and relevant policies coming into effect, China's economy will show clear momentum of recovery and growth, which will bring more good news for China's mutually beneficial cooperation with Singapore and other countries.