On February 20, 2023, Foreign Minister Qin Gang met with Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan in Beijing.

Qin Gang said that Singapore is an important cooperative partner of China and has deeply engaged in China's reform, opening up and development over the years. China highly values its relations with Singapore and the unique role Singapore plays in regional and international affairs. China stands ready to join hands with Singapore to implement the important common understandings reached between leaders of the two countries, so as to make new progress in China-Singapore relations.

Noting that China is advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization and that the Singaporean side has put forward the Singapore Economy 2030 vision, Qin Gang stressed that the two countries are facing important opportunities to seek more complementarity in each other's modernization drive. China is ready to work with Singapore to continue drawing upon each other's experience and pursue win-win cooperation. The two sides should seek greater synergies between our development strategies, step up high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and work for more coordinated and competitive cooperation with stronger impetus.

Balakrishnan said that since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the two sides have helped each other to overcome the difficulties together. Our two countries took real actions, testifying our valuable friendship and the spirit of partnership. The mutual trust has deepened and practical cooperation has enjoyed smooth progress. Singapore is glad to see that China has made a rapid recovery from the pandemic. Noting that the interests of the two sides are highly integrated, Balakrishnan said that Singapore has high expectations for cooperation with China in various fields. The current international situation, fraught with challenges, is quite worrisome. Singapore will adhere to multilateralism, advocate multiculturism, defend free trade, keep industrial and supply chains stable and unimpeded, and work with China to safeguard and promote peace and prosperity.

The two sides said that they will make good preparations for high-level exchanges in the next stage, bring into full play bilateral cooperation mechanisms, and work to reap more benefits of key cooperation projects.

The two sides agreed to accelerate the full resumption of direct flights to better facilitate cross-border travel.

The two sides stressed their commitment to the open and inclusive regional cooperation architecture with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at the center. Qin Gang said that China firmly supports the leading role of ASEAN and the right direction of East Asian cooperation, and stands ready to work with ASEAN to deepen practical cooperation, create cooperation highlights, and build a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home together. China is ready to work with ASEAN countries to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and jointly safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea.