Youth empowerment for stronger China-Singapore relations highlighted

Youth can contribute energy and wisdom to building closer relations between China and Singapore in the new era, delegates said in a forum in Beijing on Tuesday.

The remarks were made at the Fifth Singapore-China Forum, which was attended by Singaporean government officials, young students, as well as delegates from both countries.

"Young generations in Singapore and China nowadays are confronted with similar challenges including climate change, slow economic growth, and social well-being. ... They also share the same opportunities and responsibilities for building a better future," said Singapore's Minister of Health Ong Ye Kung.

He pointed out that despite the pressure faced by China in economic recovery, it can boost its growth with a large population of high-caliber and professional young talents.

The minister expressed his firm belief that China has the potential to make significant contributions to the global economy, offering abundant opportunities for the young people from Singapore.

Ong mentioned that China and Singapore have elevated bilateral ties to an all-round high-quality future-oriented partnership during Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's visit to China in late March and early April.

Over the years, various government-to-government projects, including the Guangzhou Knowledge City project and the Singapore-China (Shenzhen) Smart City Initiative, have focused on Belt and Road cooperation, as well as economy, public health, and cultural exchanges. These initiatives have provided platforms for young people from both countries to thrive and engage in meaningful communication.

In 2019, China and Singapore signed the Youth Interns Exchange Scheme, which enables 500 Singaporean youths to intern in China for up to six months annually, and vice versa.

"The program has facilitated more people-to-people interactions between our two countries. Besides being a useful learning experience for the participants, it will enhance mutual understanding and cooperation for the long term by involving young generations," Ong said.

"People-to-people exchange is important to forge deep understanding among young generations. With youth communication, we can work together to tackle the common challenges and build a brighter future for Asia and the rest of the world," he said.