HK, Singapore ties ready to 'ramp up'

It's time for Hong Kong and Singapore to "ramp up relations" again, says Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in a meeting with Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu.

For starters they agreed to relaunch the civil service staff exchange program, which was halted during the pandemic.

On the second day of his Southeast Asian trip, John Lee was welcomed by the Singaporean leader in a lunch meeting at the official residence of the president.

The Singaporean leader said: "We have a very good relationship with Hong Kong. We kept that up even during Covid and now things are getting back to normal. I think we should step up our relations again."

John Lee reiterated that the purpose of his visit to Southeast Asia was to "build friendships, create goodwill and strengthen partnerships" while expressing gratitude to Singapore's hospitality.

Writing on Facebook after the meeting, John Lee said both governments had very fruitful exchanges at different levels and he was certain that ties will "continue to develop from strength to strength."

Lee said he signed seven memorandums of understanding with Singaporean business sectors, which cover financial services, academic research and innovative technology.

He said Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia all support Hong Kong's entrance into the free trade agreement Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

"This time we have the opportunity to meet with leaders from three countries, so I hope to strengthen their support towards Hong Kong [entering RCEP] through communication and hope their positive attitude will facilitate us to gain support from other countries," Lee said.

Lee also met with Sun Haiyan, the Chinese ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Singapore.

He had a breakfast meeting with the city-state's deputy prime minister and finance chief Lawrence Wong Shyun Tsai. He attended a business dinner jointly organized by the Hong Kong government and the Trade Development Council to exchange views with local business leaders.

PCCW chair Richard Li Tzar-kai, Executive Council member Eliza Chan Ching-har, former secretary for commerce and economic development Frederick Ma Si-hang and Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong president Allen Shi Lop-tak were also at the dinner.

Sing Fai Cantonese Opera Promotion Association performed during dinner.

Lee will head to Jakarta today to meet senior Indonesian officials as well as Asean secretary-general Kao Kim Hourn. He will then spend three days in Kuala Lumpur before returning to Hong Kong on Saturday.

Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun; Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui Ching-yu; commerce chief Algernon Yau Ying-wah, transport and logistics chief Lam Sai-hung and innovation and technology chief Sun Dong are also with the delegation.

eunice.lam@singtaonewscorp.com