By signing new agreements, have China and Singapore kissed and made up?
Clear sign of thaw in relations after ties were strained over Lion City’s support for international tribunal ruling on South China Sea and seizure of nine of the city-state’s armoured vehicles in Hong Kong
In a clear sign that China and Singapore are back on an even keel after a series of diplomatic spats, senior officials from both sides signed a number of major agreements on Monday.
The agreements on a range of issues, including intellectual property rights and a US$1.4 billion project aimed at boosting transport links between Chongqing and Southeast Asia, were signed after a meeting chaired by China’s Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli and Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean.
Relations between the two countries have been strained since Singapore voiced support for an international tribunal ruling that dismissed most of China’s claims to the South China Sea. Tensions were further ratcheted up in November after the seizure of nine armoured vehicles from Singapore in Hong Kong. The troop carriers had taken part in military exercises in Taiwan.
Xu Liping, a researcher at the National Institute of International Strategy at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said the latest agreements were a sign the two nations have found a way to foster ties, despite their differences.
“The meeting reflected that Sino-Singapore relations have returned to normal and showed the two countries are managing relations in a very pragmatic way,” he said.
The previous disputes meant China had set out what its core interests were while Singapore was mindful of the mainland’s increasing economic, geopolitical and military clout, said Xu.