BEIJING – Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong is on a five-day working visit to China from Aug 31, during which he will attend a parade in Beijing marking the end of World War II.
It is his first visit to China since becoming deputy prime minister in May 2024. He will visit Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Beijing from Aug 31 to Sept 4, said the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in a statement.
Mr Gan, who is also minister for trade and industry, will meet senior leaders from the Chinese government and the ruling Communist Party of China to “discuss new avenues to strengthen the bilateral partnership and exchange views on regional and international developments”, the PMO said.
His visit comes amid several bilateral milestones in 2025, including the 35th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the 15th anniversary of the China-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City, a 232 sq km township started in 2010 to grow high-tech industries integrated with residential, commercial and recreational developments.
In Guangzhou, Mr Gan will meet Guangdong Governor Wang Weizhong and visit Guangzhou Knowledge City, where he will interact with representatives of Singapore companies based there. The township hosts more than 50 Singapore companies, many of which are looking to expand in Guangdong and the Greater Bay Area.
In Shenzhen, he will meet the city’s party secretary, Mr Meng Fanli, and local business leaders. He will also attend an evening reception with overseas Singaporeans.
On Sept 3, at China’s invitation, Mr Gan will attend commemorative events in Beijing marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
On Sept 4, he will meet Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng, Vice-Premier He Lifeng and Commerce Minister Wang Wentao.
Mr Gan will be accompanied by Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry Low Yen Ling, as well as officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Trade and Industry.
A police officer standing guard in front of stands set up in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square for a military parade on Sept 3 to mark the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan and the end of World War II, on Aug 28.
PHOTO: AFP
Mr Gan’s trip follows
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s visit to Beijing and Tianjin in June,
in the latter’s first visit to China since taking office.
Mr Gan last travelled to China in 2023, first with then Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, and later with then Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. That year, Singapore and China upgraded relations to an All-Round High-Quality Future-Oriented Partnership.
Bilateral merchandise trade reached $170.2 billion in 2024, cementing China’s position as Singapore’s largest trading partner for more than a decade.
In services, China ranked as Singapore’s third-largest partner in 2024, with trade amounting to $64.9 billion. Singapore has also been China’s biggest foreign investor since 2013.
Tourism ties remain strong, with 3.08 million visitors from China arriving in Singapore in 2024.
Mr Gan will return to Singapore in time for Parliament’s reopening on Sept 5.
