Singapore DPM Gan: Singapore, China should expand ties into AI and green economy

SINGAPORE, Sept 28 — Singapore and China should expand their economic ties into new areas like artificial intelligence and the green economy, according to Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong. Speaking at the FutureChina Global Forum, Gan urged the two nations to move beyond their long-standing flagship projects and look towards emerging sectors that are becoming increasingly crucial for economic growth.

While acknowledging the importance of landmark collaborations such as the Suzhou Industrial Park, Tianjin Eco-city, and the Chongqing Connectivity Initiative, Gan emphasized that the evolving relationship between Singapore and China should now focus on new growth areas as technological innovation and sustainability take center stage.

Gan noted that each generation of major projects has been reflective of the needs of the time, but the future cooperation between the two countries could be centered on sectors like AI and green technologies as both economies navigate a rapidly changing global landscape. This push for deeper economic cooperation comes as Singapore and China celebrate more than three decades of government-to-government projects, which have strengthened trade, investment, and people-to-people links.

Analysts believe that expanding cooperation into emerging industries could bolster economic resilience and create new opportunities amid global competition in technology and the transition towards low-carbon economies. Singapore and China remain close economic partners, with China being one of Singapore's largest trading partners and a key destination for investment and business collaboration.