China plays a critical role as world forges new pathways: PM Wong

BOAO, Hainan – In a world where countries must find new ways to cooperate, China will play a critical role in shaping a more resilient global order, given its growing economic weight and capabilities, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

It is already contributing to global development through initiatives like the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank as well as the Belt and Road project, and helping to set new rules in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence for trade.

With a fresh emphasis on domestic consumption under the recently announced 15th Five-Year Plan, China is also set to further drive growth in the region.

“Singapore believes China can play an even bigger role in supporting regional prosperity and stability,” PM Wong said.

Adding that the Republic has confidence in China’s long-term prospects, he said: “We will continue to partner China closely, and deepen collaboration in areas of mutual benefit as both our economies evolve.”

Speaking at the opening plenary of the Boao Forum for Asia annual conference on March 26, the Prime Minister said the ongoing war in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East reflected a worrying breakdown of the institutions and norms that have long anchored the global system.

Noting how countries were becoming less bound by international rules and more inclined to act based on power, he said: “Today, those guard rails are weakening.

“When rules give way to raw power, order breaks down, and no country – big or small – is truly secure,” he added.

Plurilateral arrangements

These geopolitical shifts are also reshaping the global economy, with countries emphasising resilience and security. The longstanding model of market integration and cross-border production is being “reworked”.

In such an environment, traditional multilateral agreements are harder to achieve, and countries would need more flexible ways to work together, said PM Wong.

“One practical way is for smaller groups of like-minded partners to create plurilateral arrangements. These can move faster – to test ideas, set standards and deliver results.”

He cited trade agreements such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA) as examples of such cooperation.

“If designed well, these coalitions can complement and reinforce one another, and serve as building blocks for a more resilient global architecture over time,” he said.

Singapore supports China’s interest in joining regional economic frameworks, in particular the CPTPP and DEPA.

Integrating an economy of China’s scale would not be straightforward, but doing so would bring significant benefits to the region and strengthen the relevance of these arrangements, he said.

There is also tremendous potential for deeper cooperation between China and ASEAN, including in trade, after the recent upgrade of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement. The two sides can also collaborate closely in energy transition by drawing on China’s strength in renewables to support the ASEAN Power Grid – a regional scheme linking electricity grids across South-east Asia.

As ASEAN chair in 2027, Singapore will work with fellow member states to deepen regional integration and partnerships, as well as with partners such as China and Japan, pledged PM Wong.

China’s role as world builds new paths

As the world builds a new generation of pathfinders for global cooperation, China’s role is critical, he said, citing its increasing capacity to shape global outcomes.

It had placed science, technology and innovation at the centre of its development strategy and is advancing innovation at scale. “China is therefore well positioned not just to participate in the next wave of technological change, but to shape and lead it.”

It has also taken steps to assume greater responsibilities in the international system, such as voluntarily giving up certain developing-country benefits at the World Trade Organisation, while also contributing to global discussions through its “community with a shared future” concept.

“Singapore welcomes this constructive engagement, and will work with China in areas of shared interest, including sustainable development and global governance.”

China could help shape the region’s evolving economic architecture. “At a time of growing fragmentation, the world needs strong advocates for open and rules-based trade,” said PM Wong.

“Here in Hainan, the free trade port stands as a concrete example of China’s commitment to openness. We hope China will continue in this direction – supporting open markets and strengthening confidence in a predictable and stable global trading system.”

The southern province of Hainan is home to China’s free trade port, a flagship reform project launched in 2020 to deepen opening up. The island now has “independent customs operations”, allowing most international goods to enter tariff-free while maintaining a separate customs boundary from the rest of the Chinese mainland.

Ending his speech with a call to action, PM Wong said: “We can drift towards rivalry and fragmentation. Or we can choose cooperation and openness. 

“If we choose well, Asia can continue to be a source of stability, dynamism and hope for the world.”

The Boao Forum for Asia meeting, held annually in Hainan, brings together about 2,000 representatives from government, business and academia to discuss regional economic cooperation. This year marks the forum’s 25th anniversary, and Singapore is a founding member.

Singapore-China ties in excellent shape

During his visit to Hainan, PM Wong also met National People’s Congress chairman Zhao Leji, China’s third-ranking leader, and Hainan Communist Party secretary Feng Fei.

Mr Zhao said China valued PM Wong’s decision to travel to China to attend the Boao forum, adding that the move “reflects the high importance you attach to the forum and to our bilateral relations, and the Chinese side greatly appreciates this gesture”.

“China is willing to work with Singapore to deepen mutual political trust, expand high-level cooperation, and advance our respective modernisation efforts, so as to make greater contributions to regional and global peace and prosperity,” Mr Zhao added.

PM Wong noted that he had met Mr Zhao nine months ago in June 2025, during his introductory visit to China, where he also met President Xi Jinping.

Premier Li Qiang visited Singapore in October 2025 at PM Wong’s invitation, marking the first official visit by a Chinese premier to Singapore since 2018 and coinciding with the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

PM Wong said he will be back in China in November for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings.

The recent run of high-level visits reflects the close ties between the two countries.

“Overall, China and Singapore relations are in excellent shape,” PM Wong said during his meeting with Mr Zhao.

“It’s a mutually beneficial partnership built on trust, shared experiences and common interests. Singapore values this partnership, and we look forward to working even more closely with China.”

Both leaders also exchanged views on cross-strait developments, where PM Wong reiterated Singapore’s consistent and longstanding “one China” policy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

The Singapore Prime Minister has left Hainan for Hong Kong for the second leg of his trip.