“Jointly Building CCI-ILSTC & Chongqing Cross-Border Digital Trade Development Strategic Cooperation” Launched

7月18日，国际陆海贸易新通道区域合作论坛在新加坡隆重举行。 图/苏思

On the morning of July 18, Yuan Jiajun, Secretary of the CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee attended the CCI-New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (ILSTC) Regional Cooperation Forum and delivered a keynote speech, witnessing the launching of “Jointly Building CCI-ILSTC & Chongqing Cross-Border Digital Trade Development Strategic Cooperation”.

Josephine Teo, Minister for Communications and Information and Second Minister for Home Affairs of Singapore, Sun Haiyan, Ambassador of China to Singapore, Guo Yezhou, Vice Minister of International Department of CPC Central Committee, Chen Mingbo and Luo Lin, Leadership of Chongqing, and Kho Choon Keng, President of Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCCI) attended relevant events. 

On the morning of July 18, delegates of governments, business communities, and media from China, Singapore, and countries along the CCI-ILSTC joined in the forum to enhance cooperation and pursue common development in the future on the topic of “Joining Efforts for CCI-ILSTC, Sharing Diverse New Opportunities”. 

In his speech, Yuan Jiajun conveyed cordial greetings to all the guests and extended heartfelt thanks to people from all sectors who care about and support the development of Chongqing. He noted that Chongqing is the only centrally-administered municipality in Central and Western China, a national key city, an anchor in the Large-Scale Western Development, connecting the Silk Road Economic Belt, the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, and the Yangtze Economic Belt. Chongqing enjoys a solid industrial foundation, well-connected transport, and strong competitiveness, and is a premium place to live, work, and travel. Chongqing is playing a unique and key role in China’s regional development and opening-up endeavors. In 2023, Chongqing has got off to a good start in building a modern and new Chongqing. Chongqing has been fully implementing the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress, and promoting national strategies of the Chengdu-Chongqing Twin-Hub Mega-Region and the CCI-ILSTC, striving for high-quality development, high-quality life, and efficient governance.

Yuan Jiajun noted that, in recent years, CCI has been advancing and our cooperation mechanism has been working well and efficiently. There have been multiple cooperation highlights in priority areas, the CCI network has grown from strength to strength and CCI has become a crucial bond for closer China-Singapore relations. Chongqing is ready to work with Singapore to actively explore cooperation on green finance and fin-tech, and continue to hold the CCI Financial Summit with high standards, making new achievements in financial cooperation. Chongqing and Singapore will accelerate the construction of land and air corridors, improve the connectivity of logistics hubs, facilitate cross-border trade, and make breakthroughs in transport and logistics cooperation. The two sides will jointly build the Airport Economy Industrial Cluster, promote “aviation + tourism” cooperation, and make new progress in aviation cooperation. 

Chongqing will fully leverage the Smart China Expo to expand the application of the China-Singapore (Chongqing) International Dedicated Connectivity (IDC) and join hands to foster new advantages in ICT cooperation. Chongqing stands ready to expand sci-tech innovation cooperation with Singapore, co-host the “Belt and Road” Sci-Tech Exchange Conference, increase high-quality personnel exchanges, and scale new heights for sci-tech innovation cooperation. Chongqing will make the best of Chongqing Week in Singapore, jointly develop Chongqing-Singapore tourism offerings, deepen international cooperation in healthcare, and deliver more fruitful outcomes in people-to-people exchanges and cooperation.

In her speech, Minister Josephine Teo stated that CCI-ILSTC is unleashing the potential of regional development. As the gap between Western China and coastal provinces continues to narrow, the elevation of the Chengdu-Chongqing Twin-Hub Mega-Region as a national-level developmental strategy underscores the importance of Western China to China’s overall development. Southeast Asia and Western China have become each other’s largest trading partners with strong complementarity. In line with Singapore’s and Chongqing’s emphasis on sustainability and digitalization as new areas of growth and collaboration, both sides are looking forward to piloting green and digital initiatives, especially along the CCI-ILSTC. The CCI-ILSTC is an open and inclusive platform that thrives when there are more partners. She strongly encourages more engagement to attract more potential partners who can participate in the further development of the Corridor, unlock our economic potential, and benefit our people.

Ambassador Sun Haiyan said Chongqing is a pivotal hub connecting the Silk Road and Maritime Silk Road across land and sea. The CCI-ILSTC has enabled Chongqing and Western China to move faster in development within the Belt and Road Initiative framework. Thanks to the coordinated efforts from all parties, the CCI-ILSTC has demonstrated remarkable efficiency and seamless operations. Chongqing has now reached new heights, with a more solid foundation and enabling conditions that contribute more significantly to the new positioning of China-Singapore relations, Chinese modernization, and the BRI development. The CCI-ILSTC, acting as a powerful engine, will propel regional development where Chongqing will shine as the most brilliant star along this dynamic corridor, offering vast untapped potential for growth. Every stakeholder is encouraged to seize this opportunity by active participation and thrive together with Chongqing, Singapore, and the CCI-ILSTC.

In his speech, Kho Choon Keng highlighted the maturing progress of the CCI-ILSTC. The “city-to-city” collaboration between Singapore and Chongqing has played a significant role in fostering “region-to-region” connectivity between Western China and Southeast Asia. This collaboration has created excellent opportunities for win-win development and added more vitality to the sustained growth of the economy. Chongqing, where the Silk Road Economic Belt and the Yangtze River Economic Belt meet, has a prime location that links Eastern and Western China and drives development between its North and South. Thanks to these strengths, the confidence in the future Singapore-Chongqing cooperation has grown stronger. The SCCCI is willing to continue to actively work with Chongqing to generate transferable experience that can be applied elsewhere. Together, Singapore and Chongqing can facilitate a more unimpeded, prosperous, integrity-based, and mutually beneficial CCI-ILSTC.

During the forum, there was a dialogue centered around jointly building the CCI-ILSTC, where the industrial and business communities from China and Singapore offered proposals on building the CCI-ILSTC. Yuan Jiajun attentively listened to these perspectives, engaging in meaningful exchanges and discussions. In his remarks, he emphasized that building CCI-ILSTC is a major strategic decision aligned with the shared vision of the leaders of China and Singapore. It serves as a catalyst for advancing the BRI development and presents a vital strategic opportunity for Chongqing’s high-quality development. He stressed the importance of focusing concerted efforts on building major corridors, hubs, trade, and industries. In this way, new economic growth potentials can be explored, with shared emerging development opportunities and joint contributions to a brighter future.

During his visit to Singapore, Yuan Jiajun engaged in communications with the industrial and business communities in Singapore. Notably, he met with Pua Seck Guan, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director of Wilmar International and Executive Chairman and CEO of Perennial Real Estate Holdings Limited, and Lim Boon Heng, Chairperson of Temasek Holdings. Yuan Jiajun presented Chongqing’s roadmaps and initiatives to implement the guiding principles of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and advance the modernization for a new Chongqing. These measures focus on sustainable development, sci-tech innovation, healthcare, green and low-carbon development, and the application of digital technologies. Pua Seck Guan and Lim Boon Heng expressed their commitment to seizing new opportunities brought by the modernization towards a new Chongqing, by deepening practical cooperation, expanding their industrial presence, and increasing investment in Chongqing. Furthermore, during a breakfast meeting with senior executives of financial institutions in Singapore, Yuan Jiajun highlighted Chongqing’s progress in the Smart, Integrated, Inclusive, and Facilitated Finance Program. He encouraged the financial institutions of the two places to enhance policy coordination and foster partnerships in financial equity, trading platforms, and financial businesses, to enable the crucial role of finance in empowering high-quality development.

Yuan Jiajun also paid field visits to an airport, higher education institutions, and research institutes. At Changi Airport and Singapore City Gallery, Yuan Jiajun explored the “Jewel Changi Airport” project, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the airport’s advanced operational management, as well as the city’s urban planning and construction practices. In addition, Yuan Jiajun engaged in discussions with scientists, young researchers, and medical workers during visits to institutions such as the National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, Advanced Remanufacturing and Technology Center, and National Cancer Center Singapore. These interactions allowed him to grasp the latest trends in cutting-edge science and technology, insights into the mechanisms of commercializing scientific and technological achievements, and an understanding of Singapore’s advancements in medical and healthcare industry. He expressed his aspirations to strengthen cooperation between higher education institutions, foster talent development and exchanges, and promote collaborative scientific and technological innovations between the two countries, to better serve high-quality socio-economic development.

Heads from the Singaporean side, as well as officials from districts, counties, and departments of Chongqing, were present at the relevant activities.

7月18日上午，正在新加坡访问的市委书记袁家军出席“国际陆海贸易新通道区域合作论坛”并作主题演讲，见证“共建国际陆海贸易新通道 重庆跨境数字贸易发展战略合作”启动。

“共建国际陆海贸易新通道 重庆跨境数字贸易发展战略合作”启动。 图/苏思

新加坡通讯及新闻部部长、内政部第二部长杨莉明，中国驻新加坡大使孙海燕，中共中央对外联络部副部长郭业洲，重庆市领导陈鸣波、罗蔺，新加坡中华总商会会长高泉庆等出席有关活动。

18日上午，来自中国、新加坡和国际陆海贸易新通道相关国家的政府、工商界和媒体人士代表齐聚论坛现场，围绕“共建陆海新通道 共享多元新机遇”主题共谋合作大计、共商未来发展。

袁家军在演讲中向与会嘉宾致以诚挚问候，向关心支持重庆发展的各界人士表示衷心感谢。他说，重庆是中国中西部地区唯一的直辖市、国家重要中心城市，是中国西部大开发的重要战略支点，处在“一带一路”和长江经济带的联结点上，产业基础坚实、交通条件优越、城市竞争力强、宜居宜业宜游，在中国区域发展和对外开放格局中具有独特而重要的作用。今年以来，重庆围绕贯彻落实中共二十大精神，扎实推进成渝地区双城经济圈建设、西部陆海新通道建设等国家战略实施，努力实现高质量发展、创造高品质生活、促进高效能治理，现代化新重庆建设实现了良好开局。

袁家军说，近年来，中新互联互通项目不断深入实施，对接合作机制务实高效，重点领域合作亮点纷呈，辐射带动作用日益增强，成为深化中新双边关系的重要“纽带”。重庆愿与新方一道，积极探索绿色金融、金融科技等合作，持续办好中新金融峰会，推动金融领域合作取得新成效；加快陆上、空中交通走廊建设，提高物流枢纽联动能力，提升跨境贸易便利化水平，推动交通物流合作实现新突破；共同打造临空经济产业集群，推动“航空+旅游”发展，促进航空产业合作迈出新步伐；用好国际智能产业博览会平台，持续拓展中新（重庆）国际互联网数据专用通道应用场景，推动信息通信合作形成新优势；积极扩大科技创新合作，举办“一带一路”科技交流大会，深化高端人才交流，推动科技创新合作迈上新台阶；做优做精“新加坡·重庆周”活动，合作开发重庆新加坡连线旅游产品，深入拓展医养国际合作，推动人文交流合作结出新硕果。

杨莉明在致辞中说，国际陆海贸易新通道为推动地区发展注入了新动力。中国西部地区与沿海省份发展差距持续缩小，成渝地区双城经济圈建设发展战略提出后，强化了中国西部对中国经济发展的重要性。东南亚与中国西部经济互补性强，东盟与中国是彼此最大贸易伙伴。新加坡和重庆都把可持续发展、数字化作为经济发展与推动合作的新领域，积极推动绿色发展和数字化项目，这将进一步凸显国际陆海贸易新通道的独特价值。当有更多合作伙伴参与国际陆海贸易新通道建设，它会更加开放和包容，会实现更蓬勃发展。我希望更多潜在的合作伙伴参与通道建设、推动通道发展，释放更大经济潜力、更好造福沿线人民。

孙海燕说，重庆是贯通陆上和海上丝绸之路的关键节点。国际陆海贸易新通道为重庆和广大中国西部地区插上了通过“一带一路”实现腾飞的翅膀。开行以来，在各方共同努力下，今天的国际陆海贸易新通道全线便捷畅通。今天的重庆站在了全新高度，有更扎实基础和更优越条件为中新关系新定位、中国式现代化和“一带一路”建设作出更突出的贡献。国际陆海贸易新通道将成为带动整个地区进步的强劲动力带，重庆将成为这条动力带上最耀眼的明珠，释放巨大发展潜能。希望大家抓住时机、积极参与，与重庆、新加坡和国际陆海贸易新通道携手腾飞。

高泉庆说，国际陆海贸易新通道已逐渐发展成熟，以新加坡和重庆的“点对点”合作，带动中国西部与东南亚各国“面对面”的互联互通，为共赢发展创造了良好的机会，为经济大环境的持续发展注入新活力。重庆作为丝绸之路经济带与长江经济带的交汇点，具有联动东西、带动南北的区位优势，我们对新渝合作的未来也更加充满信心。新加坡中华总商会愿意继续发挥积极作用，与重庆一道，创造更多可复制、可推广的经验，携手开辟更畅通繁荣、以诚信为本、互惠互利的国际陆海贸易新通道。

论坛举行了高质量共建国际陆海贸易新通道对话会，中新两国工商界人士就推动国际陆海贸易新通道建设提出建议。袁家军认真听取发言，同大家交流讨论。他在讲话中说，建设国际陆海贸易新通道，是落实中新两国领导人共识、推动“一带一路”建设的重大战略部署，是重庆高质量发展的重要战略机遇。要在建设大通道、打造大枢纽、繁荣大贸易、发展大产业上聚焦发力，共同寻找新的经济增长点，共享新的发展机遇，共同创造美好未来。

7月18日，市委书记袁家军出席高质量共建国际陆海贸易新通道对话会。 图/苏思

访新期间，袁家军与新加坡工商界人士会面，进行沟通交流。在会见丰益国际首席运营官兼执行董事、鹏瑞利集团执行董事长兼首席执行官潘锡源和淡马锡公司董事长林文兴时，袁家军介绍了重庆贯彻中共二十大精神、建设现代化新重庆的思路和举措，聚焦可持续发展、科技创新、生命健康、绿色低碳、数字化等进行深入探讨。潘锡源、林文兴表示，将抓住现代化新重庆建设带来的新机遇，深入开展务实合作，进一步扩大在渝产业布局和投资规模。在与新加坡金融机构高层举行早餐会时，袁家军介绍了重庆推动“智融惠畅”工程有关情况，希望两地金融机构加强政策对接、推动金融股权合作、探索交易平台合作、推动金融业务合作，更好发挥金融赋能高质量发展的重要作用。

袁家军还实地考察了新加坡机场和高校、科研院所等。在樟宜机场和新加坡城市规划馆，袁家军参观“星耀樟宜”项目，深入了解机场先进运营管理理念和城市规划建设做法。在新加坡国立大学、南洋理工大学、先进再制造与技术中心和新加坡国立癌症中心，袁家军同科学家、青年科研人员、医务工作者等交谈，考察前沿科技发展趋势、科技成果转化机制及新加坡医疗卫生事业发展情况，希望两地加强高校合作、人才培养交流和科技创新合作，更好服务经济社会高质量发展。

新方有关负责人，重庆市有关区县、部门负责人等参加相关活动。