A” BEACON” FOR THE WORLD
Established in 1994 in the area of Suzhou in China’s Jiangsu state, Suzhou Industrial Park is the first government-to-government venture between Singapore and China. Singapore has used it as a platform to discuss its management and industrialization experience with China.
Spanning 278 sq km, the area has evolved into a modern included town, home to 1.13 million residents and cover a China-Singapore assistance area.  ,
Suzhou Industrial Park is one of China’s major commercial areas. It recorded a regional gross domestic product ( GDP ) of 368.6 billion yuan ( US$ 51.4 billion ) in 2023, a 5.9 per cent growth year-on-year. That number accounted for 15 % of the GDP of Suzhou that time.
The park’s emphasis has changed along with the days. According to Mr. Chan, fresh energy, medical sciences, and digital innovation are now receiving more attention.
For example, Sembcorp and Zooming New Energy are looking into partnership in the implementation of large-scale wind and solar power jobs, while Singapore’s Eagle Renewable Energy and China-Singapore Green Development have partnered with Sembcorp to look into options in the alternative energy storage in China.
However, Mr. Chan emphasized that Singapore has always seen the diplomatic task as more than just an industrial park.  ,
” It is a sign of our dedication to work with China to create a platform that fosters international cooperation and fosters trust in China.” So that is fundamental”, he said in response to queries from investigators.
On September 9, Mr. Chan assumed the position of minister-in-charge of the Suzhou Industrial Park. The trade and industry secretary usually oversees the task at the governmental level, according to the Ministry of Trade and Industry ( MTI).
The move was made following Deputy Prime Minister and Trade and Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong’s appointment as co-chair of the Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC ) and related joint steering council meetings for the Singapore-China government-to-government projects, MTI explained. The JCBC is the highest-level yearly conference between China and Singapore.
Mr. Chan characterized the diplomatic job as a “beacon” of how China can interact with the world, adding that this concept is especially relevant given the current geopolitical environment.
As China and the United States continue to disagree on issues like industry, Taiwan, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, tensions have grown.
The wider West has become increasingly involved in the fight, with the European Union recently voting to impose taxes of as high as 45 % on China’s electric vehicles after Beijing unfairly subventioned its economy.
China has consistently refuted the assertion. It has also threatened to impose tariffs on a number of German goods, possibly putting a business dispute in high gear.
” To a large degree, China is now much more integrated with the world. China is better understood by the universe. However, there will always be people who do n’t believe in China’s future, even at the moment. There will be individuals who may want to learn more about China, according to Mr. Chan.
” So in that sense, the role of Suzhou ( Industrial Park ) as a beacon for China’s connection with the world continues to remain relevant, and if anything, at this point in time, in this current moment, it is more relevant than ever before”.
EXPLORING FURTHER LINES OF Participation
Mr. Chan went on to detail the factors that are driving the construction of the Suzhou Industrial Park as well as what might come next in terms of more intensive cooperation between Singapore and China.
He cited a strong sense of trust as a crucial factor in his remarks, noting that this was necessary for China to experiment with innovative ideas with a foreign partner within its own borders. Mr. Chan added that this confidence needs to “permeate at all levels” and become developed constantly.
A strong understanding of each other’s needs and aspirations is another driving issue, said the chancellor.
” It’s not about what we want to do, what they want to do, it’s what we can find common ground to do together”, said Mr Chan.
” There’s no place for us to propose any job… unless both sides see joint rewards and both sides can draw on each other’s individual advantages”.