15 agreements were inked between Singapore and Shanghai to increase collaboration in areas such the digital economy, healthcare, and tourism.
At the fourth Singapore-Shanghai Comprehensive Cooperation Council (SSCCC) meeting, the agreements were signed. Since the COVID-19 epidemic, it had been a while since Singapore and China had really met in person for a provincial business council.
In provinces including Sichuan, Zhejiang, Guangdong, and Jiangsu, there are eight provincial business councils that are co-chaired by Singapore ministers and Chinese governors.
The Shanghai Business Council was founded in 2019 and held its first meeting in Singapore on Monday.
Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng and Minister for Culture, Community, and Youth and Second Minister for Law Edwin Tong served as co-chairs.
Lawrence Wong, the deputy prime minister and co-chair of the council, relinquishes his position to Mr Tong.
In his welcome remarks, Mr. Wong mentioned his desire to co-chair the council meeting with Mr. Gong. Nevertheless, Mr Wong, who was appointed Deputy Prime Minister in June 2022, said, "Unfortunately, I am unable to continue as co-chair of the council given my additional responsibilities."
For his "personal commitment and attention" to enhancing the ties between Shanghai and Singapore, he thanked Mr. Gong.
Shanghai, according to Mr. Tong, is an important trading, investment, and connectivity partner for Singapore.
“Singapore and Shanghai share resilient and progressive ties, underpinned by strong partnerships in financial services, technology and innovation, and expanded collaborations in emerging areas of digital and green economies,” the minister said.
"The SSCCC serves as an important catalyst and enabler, as we continue to pursue 'high-
quality' and 'future-oriented' partnerships between Singapore and Shanghai, following the recent upgrading of Singapore-China relations."
The co-chairs decided to improve business and investment connections with Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui in the Yangtze River Delta as well as Singapore and Shanghai during their meeting.