Using a Chinese phrase zhong zhong zhi zhong, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew (second from left) described the landmark park as the 'priority of all priorities' among all China-Singapore bilateral cooperation projects. -- PHOTO: ZAOBAO
SUZHOU - THE best is yet to be for the Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP), said Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew on Tuesday during the 15th anniversary celebrations of the project.
Using a Chinese phrase zhong zhong zhi zhong, he described the landmark park as the 'priority of all priorities' among all China-Singapore bilateral cooperation projects.
Mr Lee, who delivered his speech in Mandarin, lauded it for continually improving itself over the years and moving up the value chain and technological ladder.
'Deng Xiaoping, during his Southern Tour in 1992, called for China to learn from Singapore's best practices,' he said.
'The SIP is an important part of Singapore's response to this. At its inception, the SIP was meant to be a platform for Singapore to share its experience and thinking - our 'software' - with China.
'Today, the SIP is an integrated township with industries, services, housing and recreational facilities all packaged in a gracious and attractive environment.
'We made the right decision on heeding Beijing's advice when we chose Suzhou.'
Some 2,000 Suzhou officials were also sent to Singapore for training and Mr Lee praised them as 'quick learners' who picked up ideas on how Singapore works, such as the development of chic restaurants in townships around the island.
Today, the park is 'the best laid-out and most effectively managed industrial park', he observed, adding that it also draws in more investments and generates higher growth than any other industrial park in China.
Chinese Vice-Premier Wang Qishan, who was at the event together with former Vice-Premier Wu Yi, agreed that the park is at the 'forefront' of all industrial parks in China.
