ASEAN and China must continue to strengthen collaborations: Chee Hong Tat

National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat emphasized the importance of ASEAN and China continuing to strengthen their collaborations on areas of mutual interest. At the 4th ASEAN-China Ministerial Roundtable on Construction and Housing held in Ipoh, Malaysia on August 1, Chee highlighted Singapore and China's cooperation as a model for co-creating solutions that benefit both nations.

Chee stressed that through platforms like the World Cities Summit, city leaders worldwide can learn from each other's experiences. Speaking about the future-ready cities they aim to build, the Minister noted that Singapore and Malaysia share a common goal of enhancing the liveability of their cities. During the roundtable discussion, he engaged in talks with Malaysia's Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming about deepening mutual learning in housing, landscaping, construction technology, urban planning, and renewal.

The Minister also discussed possible avenues for further bilateral cooperation between China and Singapore with China's Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development Ni Hong. Plans are already in place for Chee to attend the Green Development Forum in Xiongan, China in September. The Singapore Foreign Minister expressed optimism about continued cooperation between their countries and ASEAN, as well as with other international partners, in building cities that future generations can take pride in.

Chee's four-day work trip to Malaysia wrapped up on August 2, during which he met with several other Malaysian officials. These included Economy Minister Akmal Nasir and Hannah Yeoh, the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department for Federal Territories, where topics covered included the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, repurposing iconic buildings for civic and cultural spaces, and strategies to support Singapore's ageing population.