China's Top Legislator Holds Talks with Singapore Speaker: "Expanding Multilateral Cooperation"

Singapore's Speaker of Parliament Seah Kian Peng, who is visiting China, met separately with Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (the head of China's legislature), and Han Zheng, Vice President of China, to express a unified voice in support of defending multilateralism.

China-Singapore Legislative Leaders Meeting. Photo by Yonhap News.

According to China's state-run Xinhua News Agency and Yonhap News on June 13, Chairman Zhao, who ranks third in China's official hierarchy, held talks with Speaker Seah at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing and stated, "China and Singapore should expand cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), the digital economy, clean energy, and scientific and technological innovation."

He further emphasized, "We must practice genuine multilateralism and safeguard the stable and smooth flow of the multilateral trade system as well as industrial and supply chains."

In response, Speaker Seah replied, "Both countries place high importance on multilateralism and free trade and are committed to defending these principles."

He also added, "Singapore firmly adheres to the 'One China' policy," and continued, "In the face of a complex geopolitical situation, Singapore hopes to promote deeper development of relations between ASEAN and China."

As Singapore will serve as the chair of ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) next year, this visit to China is seen as an effort not only to advance bilateral relations between Singapore and China, but also to coordinate relations between ASEAN and China.

On the same day, Speaker Seah also met with Vice President Han Zheng, stating, "Singapore highly values the partnership between our two countries and is working to further deepen bilateral cooperation."

Vice President Han responded, "Both sides should strengthen multilateral cooperation and work together to advance a more equal and orderly multipolar world."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.