“Singapore has made positive contributions to the Belt and Road Initiative”——Interview with Tan Chee King, Consul-General of Singapore in Chengdu
文 《一带一路报道》记者 李卉嫔
人物名片
陈子勤（Tan Chee King）出生于1977年，2002年毕业于新加坡国立大学材料科学专业；2008年加入新加坡外交部；2011年至2015年，担任新加坡驻马来西亚高级专员公署一等政务秘书；2016年至2019年11月担任新加坡外交部东盟司处长；2019年12月任新加坡驻成都总领事。
Tan Chee King, born in 1977; Bachelor of Applied Science in Materials Science, National University of Singapore in 2002; Joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore in 2008; First Secretary at the Singapore High Commission in Malaysia from 2011 to 2015; Deputy Director at ASEAN Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore from 2016 to November 2019; Assumed post of Consul-General of Singapore in Chengdu in December 2019.
新加坡驻成都总领事陈子勤（向雯 摄）
初见新加坡驻成都总领事陈子勤是在2020年岁末举行的一场文化交流活动上，大概是理工科的教育背景和祖籍广东潮汕的双重影响，他那骨子里透着的谨慎与精明让记者印象深刻。2020年，新冠肺炎疫情蔓延全球，对刚履新不久的陈子勤来说，在这个特殊年份里，每一项工作做起来都异常艰难。
The Reporter first met Mr. Tan Chee King at a cultural exchange event in late 2020. Probably due to his educational background and his origin of Chaoshan area of Guangdong, his prudence and shrewdness impressed the reporter. The COVID-19 pandemic has posed challenges in many ways to the work of the Consul-General.
初来乍到，在中国疫情基本得到控制后，陈子勤的足迹就遍布了四川、重庆、陕西等地。他参加第八届中国（绵阳）科技城国际科技博览会、成渝地区双城经济圈建设专题研讨会、四川省文旅厅组织的阿坝州考察、中新（重庆）战略性互联互通示范项目五周年招待会、陕西省外事信息交流联谊等一系列活动。他还与家人去了四川峨眉山、都江堰、街子古镇等景点参观。他希望有机会去更多地方，以更好地了解中国西部的发展。
After the pandemic in China was basically under control, Mr. Tan Chee King threw himself into such events as the 8th China (Mianyang) Science and Technology City International High-Tech Expo, seminars on the development of Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle, a study visit to Aba Prefecture organized by the Sichuan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, the 5th anniversary reception for the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity, and Shaanxi Provincial Foreign Affairs Information Exchange Networking Event. He also visited several attractions including Mount Emei, Dujiangyan and Jiezi Ancient Town with his family and hopes to visit more places to gain a better understanding of western China.
岁末年初，记者专访了陈子勤总领事，就“疫情下的中新合作与人文交流”这一主题展开了对话。
At the end of 2020, Mr. Tan Chee King was interviewed by us on the topic of “cooperation and cultural exchanges between Singapore and China amidst the COVID-19 pandemic”.
狮城新加坡日益加大与中国西南地区的商贸往来（网络图片）
新中友谊源远流长
Singapore and China have a long-standing friendship
记者：2020年是中国与新加坡建交30周年，过去30年中新合作取得了哪些成就？面对新冠肺炎疫情的挑战，双方在2020年保持着怎样的密切合作？
Reporter: 2020 marks the 30th?anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Singapore and the People’s Republic of China. What are some of the achievements of the bilateral cooperation over the past three decades? How have both sides kept up engagements in 2020 despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 epidemic?
陈子勤：新加坡与中华人民共和国于1990年10月3日建交。然而，我们建立友谊的时间更早。1976年5月，时任总理李光耀首次访华，会见毛泽东主席。1978年11月，中国领导人邓小平访问新加坡。2018年12月，中国改革开放40周年之际，李光耀被追授“中国改革友谊奖章”。
Tan Chee King: Singapore and the People’s Republic of China established diplomatic relations on 3 October 1990. However, our friendship actually predates that. In May 1976, then-PM Lee Kuan Yew visited China for the first time and met the Chairman Mao Zedong. Subsequently, the PRC Leader Deng Xiaoping made a visit to Singapore in November 1978. Mr Lee Kuan Yew was posthumously awarded the China Reform Friendship Medal on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening-up in December 2018.
长期以来，新中双方联系紧密，两国高层交往频繁，各领域合作深入推进，人员交流密切，经济联系强劲。在中央层面，新中两国建立了多个制度化合作平台，如中新双边合作联合委员会、新中领导力论坛以及中新法律和司法圆桌会议等。近年来，我们成功共建了苏州工业园区、天津生态城、中新（重庆）战略性互联互通示范项目（以下简称“中新（重庆）项目”）等三个政府间项目，建立了八个省市级贸易与投资委员会。此外，还达成了一个国家级双边合作项目——广州知识城；多个民营企业主导、政府支持的项目，如新川创新科技园、南京生态科技岛、中新吉林食品区等。
Singapore enjoys longstanding and substantive relations with China, anchored by frequent high-level exchanges, multifaceted cooperation, strong people-to-people relations and robust economic ties. At the Central level, Singapore and China have established several institutionalised platforms for cooperation such as the Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC), and other platforms such as the Singapore-China Forum on Leadership and the Singapore-China Legal and Judicial Roundtable. We have also co-built three Government-to-Government projects over the years, namely the Suzhou Industrial Park, Tianjin Eco-City, and the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity(CCI), as well as established eight business councils at the provincial/municipal level.In addition, we have a state-level bilateral cooperation project–the Guangzhou Knowledge City, and several private sector-led, government-supported projects such as the Singapore-Sichuan Hi-Tech Innovation Park, Nanjing Eco High-Tech island, and the Jilin Food Zone.
2013年以来，中国一直是新加坡最大的贸易伙伴，新加坡也一直是中国最大的投资国。2018年11月，中国与新加坡签署《自由贸易协定升级议定书》，在扩大商品和服务市场准入、提高两国企业之间商业活动的透明度和可预见性等方面达成了一揽子实质性、有意义的协议。2020年11月，新中两国与其他国家签署了《区域全面经济伙伴关系协定》(RCEP)，这将进一步推动区域经济发展，为全球经济作出积极贡献，助力建立开放、包容、守规则的多边贸易体系。
Since 2013, China has been Singapore’s largest trading partner, and Singapore has been China’s largest foreign investor. In November 2018, both sides signed the China-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (CSFTA) Upgrade Protocol, which comprised a meaningful and substantive package in terms of greater market access for goods and services, as well as greater transparency and predictability for business activities between the companies from Singapore and China. Singapore and China and other countries also signed on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement in November 2020. We are confident that this will further promote the economic development of the region, contribute positively to the global economy, and serve as a supporting pillar to an open, inclusive and rules-based multilateral trading system.
在2020年新冠肺炎疫情全球蔓延的背景下，双方高层保持密切沟通。2020年7月14日，新加坡总理李显龙与中国国家主席习近平通话，两国领导人重申了新中两国之间的牢固关系，并指出中新（重庆）项目、国际陆海贸易新通道 (以下简称 “陆海新通道”) 等重点双边项目取得了良好进展。2020年12月8日，新加坡副总理王瑞杰与中国国务院副总理韩正举行视频会见，共同主持中新双边合作联委会第十六次会议，见证了10项双边协议的签署。中央外事工作委员会办公室主任杨洁篪、中国外交部长王毅也分别于2020年8月和10月访问了新加坡。
Despite the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic, we have managed to keep up high-level exchanges in 2020. On 14 July 2020, PM Lee Hsien Loong spoke to PRC President Xi Jinping, during which both leaders reaffirmed the strong ties between Singapore and China and noted the good progress made in key bilateral projects such as the Chongqing Connectivity Initiative-New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (CCI-ILSTC).Singaporean DPM Heng Swee Keat co-chaired the 16th JCBC meeting with Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng on 8 December 2020 via videoconference, during which a landmark number of 10 agreements were signed. Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee Yang Jiechi and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also made visits to Singapore in August and October 2020 respectively.
面对新冠肺炎疫情的挑战，新中两国继续致力于联合项目和双边协作，凸显了两国关系的韧性。今后，我们将继续深化伙伴关系，共同应对可持续发展和气候变化等未来挑战。
The continued commitment to joint projects and collaboration amid the challenging COVID-19 pandemic is testament to the resilience of ties between Singapore and China and, going forward, we will continue to seek to deepen partnerships as we meet future challenges such as sustainable development and climate change.
重庆市向新加坡捐赠抗疫物资 （图 新加坡驻成都总领事馆）
“一带一路”上的合作是新中关系的新亮点
Cooperation along the BRI is a new highlight of Singapore-China relations
记者：新加坡在推进“一带一路”建设中发挥了哪些显著作用？
Reporter: What is Singapore’s involvement in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)?
陈子勤：新加坡为“一带一路”建设贡献了积极力量。2015年，习近平主席对新加坡进行国事访问时，与李显龙总理达成一致意见，将中新（重庆）项目列为“一带一路”建设、西部大开发和长江经济带战略的优先示范项目。双方一致认为，两国在“一带一路”沿线的合作是新中关系的新亮点，并在四个领域开展合作：基础设施互联互通；金融融通；第三方合作；在“一带一路”框架下开展法律、司法等专业服务合作。
Tan Chee King: Singapore is well placed to contribute to the development of the BRI. During President Xi’s State Visit to Singapore in 2015, PM Lee and President Xi agreed that the CCI would be designated as a “priority demonstration project” for the BRI, and the Western Region Development and Yangtze River Economic Belt strategies. Singapore and China also agreed that cooperation along the BRI is a new highlight of Singapore-China relations, and established four platforms for cooperation in the areas of: (a) infrastructural connectivity; (b) financial connectivity; (c) third country collaboration; and (d) professional services, including legal and judicial cooperation under the BRI framework.
在新中双边合作联合委员会第十六次会议期间举行的中新天津生态城联合协调理事会第十二次会议上，双方同意进一步将天津生态城的成功发展经验向“一带一路”沿线其他国家复制推广。2020年6月，新加坡外交部长维文出席了由中国外交部长王毅主持的“一带一路”国际合作高级别视频会议。同时，中国在“一带一路”对外直接投资约有四分之一流经新加坡，新加坡也是支持人民币国际化的全球三大离岸人民币中心之一。法律和司法服务成为两国间不断拓展的合作新领域，越来越多中国公司与新加坡的争议调解机构开展合作。我们继续致力同中方开展“一带一路”第三方合作。2019年，新加坡盛裕控股集团与中国丝路基金合作，投入5亿美元，成立了基础设施联合投资平台，支持东南亚基础设施项目建设。
At the 12th Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City (TEC) Joint Steering Committee held during the 16th JCBC meeting, both sides agreed to deepen efforts in promoting the replication of the Tianjin Eco-City’s development experience to other countries along the BRI; and Singaporean Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan participated in the BRI Videoconference on COVID-19 Cooperation chaired by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in June 2020. Meanwhile, approximately a quarter of China’s outward foreign direct investment in the BRI flows through Singapore, and we are also one of the three global offshore RMB centres that supports China’s RMB internationalisation efforts. Legal and judicial services is a new and growing area of cooperation, with more Chinese companies using dispute resolution institutions in Singapore. We remain committed to third-party collaboration with China on the BRI – Surbana Jurong has collaborated with China’s Silk Road Fund in 2019 to set up a USD 500 million infrastructure co-investment platform to fund infrastructure projects in Southeast-Asia.
陆海新通道建设是新中双方共建“一带一路”合作的重要内容。陆海新通道将推进陆海交通互联互通，打通“一带一路”中的陆路和海路两大干线，通过新加坡将中国西部地区与东南亚乃至世界更好地连接起来。尽管受到疫情的冲击，但事实证明，陆海新通道是替代传统贸易路线的可行性选择，货运量同比有所增长。
The CCI-ILSTC is a key highlight of our BRI cooperation with China.It aims to boost land-sea transport connectivity and link up the overland and maritime trunks of the BRI, which will better connect Western China to Southeast Asia and the world via Singapore. Despite the pandemic, the CCI-ILSTC has proven to be a viable alternative to traditional trade routes, with cargo flows increasing during this period.
记者：中新（重庆）项目的主要目标和挑战是什么?
Reporter: What are some of the CCI’s key goals and challenges in the near future?
陈子勤：中新（重庆）项目以“现代互联互通和现代服务经济”为主题，五年来在四个主要领域取得了良好进展。在交通物流方面，将陆海新通道建设成为连接中国西部和东南亚的一条可行的新贸易走廊，是一项具有深远战略意义的重大成果。在金融服务领域，新加坡以具有竞争力的融资条款吸引成交超过110亿美元的跨境融资交易。在信息通信技术方面，中国与外国之间的第一条数据通道——中新（重庆）国际互联网数据专用通道(以下简称“中新数据通道”) 于2019年9月启动。航空方面，自中新（重庆）项目启动以来，重庆与新加坡之间的年客运量(疫情之前)增长了两倍多。
Tan Chee King: Under the theme of “Modern Connectivity and Modern Services”, good progress has been made in the four priority areas of cooperation of the CCI over the last five years. In transport and logistics, the development of the CCI-ILSTC to become a new viable trade corridor between Western China and Southeast Asia is the key outcome with deep strategic implications. In financial services, cross-border financing deals amounting to more than USD 11 billion have been actualised with competitive financing terms in Singapore.For ICT, the first data channel between China and a foreign country–the International Dedicated Connectivity (IDC) – was launched in September 2019. In aviation, annual passenger traffic (pre-COVID-19) between Chongqing and Singapore had more than tripled since the launch of the CCI.
展望未来，进一步加强中国西部地区与东南亚互联互通还有很多工作要做。例如，双方正在探讨实现数字化举措和陆海新通道沿线的数字化贸易。我们将继续鼓励和支持两国企业利用中新数据通道，促进两地之间实现数字化互联互通；探索如何更好地对接两地资本市场，推广绿色债券、灾害保险等创新金融产品。我们相信，在中新（重庆）项目框架下，可以共同取得更多成就，造福两国企业和人民。
Looking ahead, there remains more that we can do to further enhance the connectivity between Western China and Southeast Asia.For instance, both sides are exploring measures to digitise and digitalise trade along the CCI-ILSTC. We will continue to encourage and provide support for companies from both sides to utilise the IDC and promote digital connectivity between both regions. We are also exploring how to better connect the capital markets from both regions, and to promote innovative financial products such as green bonds and disaster risk insurance. We are confident that there remains much that we can achieve together under the CCI for the benefit of our companies and peoples.
新加坡参加第二届成都熊猫亚洲美食节（图 新加坡驻成都总领事馆）
中国-东盟关系下的新加坡与中国西部机遇
Opportunities for Singapore and Western China under the China-ASEAN relations
记者：2020年上半年，东盟成为中国最大的贸易伙伴。新加坡在促进中国西部地区与东盟合作方面可以发挥哪些作用？中国西部地区在加强与东盟的合作方面有哪些优势？
Reporter: ASEAN has become China’s largest trade partner in 1H2020. What role do you think Singapore can play in facilitating the cooperation between Western China and ASEAN What are some of the key advantages in Western China stepping up its cooperation with ASEAN?
陈子勤：东盟是一个由10个成员国组成的区域联盟，目前GDP总和为2.8万亿美元，人口数量不断增长且偏年轻化（共计6.5亿人，平均年龄小于30岁）。这一“人口红利”与东盟经济一体化带来的经济机遇叠加，将吸引更多全球制造商在东盟设立生产基地。
Tan Chee King: ASEAN is a 10-member regional bloc with a current combined GDP of USD 2.8 trillion, a young and growing population (650 million people; median age less than 30 years old).The combination of this “demographic sweet spot” along with the economic opportunities brought about by ASEAN’s economic integration will see more global manufacturers setting up bases in ASEAN.
新加坡是东盟的创始成员国之一，国内经济稳定、营商环境友好、高技能人才多，成为众多跨国公司和中小企业在东盟寻求建立和深化业务关系的战略枢纽和门户。多年来，我们建立起广泛的自由贸易协定网络，让新加坡的出口商和投资者在东盟市场和全球市场享有关税减让、一定行业优先进入、更快市场准入权和知识产权保护等多方面实惠。此外，新加坡有发达的物流、海运、空运和金融业，可为东南亚地区的跨国公司和中小企业提供一站式服务。即使目前新冠肺炎疫情还在继续，若干中国知名企业也在新加坡进行了投资，我们期待未来看到更多此类投资。
Singapore is one of the founding members of ASEAN.Our economic stability, business friendly environment and highly-skilled workforce makes us a strategic hub and gateway for multinational corporations (MNCs) and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) looking to establish or deepen their footprints in ASEAN.Over the years, we have forged an extensive network of free trade agreements (FTAs) which has allowed Singapore-based exporters and investors to enjoy a myriad of benefits such as tariff concessions, preferential access in certain sectors, faster entry into markets and intellectual property protection in ASEAN and global markets.Coupled with our well-developed logistics, shipping, aviation, and finance industries, we are well placed to serve as an one-stop base for MNCs and SMEs in the Southeast Asia region.Even amidst the ongoing COVID-19 situation, several prominent Chinese companies have invested in Singapore in 2020, and we look forward to seeing more such investments in the future.
中国西部地区具有与东盟更近的地理优势，正通过陆海新通道建设加强与东盟的互联互通。对于中国西部来说，借助中国与东盟之间这一长期而强劲的经济关系，正是其加强与东盟经济联系、扩大对东盟投资的大好时机。
Western China enjoys the geographical advantage of being closer to ASEAN, and is developing greater connectivity with the latter via the CCI-ILSTC.It would be opportune for Western China to leverage on this longstanding and robust economic relationship between China and ASEAN, to strengthen its economic linkages and invest more in ASEAN.
记者：人文交流对促进国家间的相互了解至关重要。新加坡总领事馆计划在2021年举办哪些人文活动？您希望介绍哪些独特的新加坡文化元素给中国朋友？
Reporter: People-to-people and cultural exchanges are critical in fostering mutual understanding between countries. What are some of the upcoming cultural and people-to-people activities the Singapore Consulate-General is planning for in 2021 and are there any particularly distinctive elements of Singapore’s culture you hope to introduce to China?
陈子勤：近年来，新加坡总领事馆在成都举办并参与了多场文化活动。2018年7月21日至22日，在成都来福士广场与新加坡中国工商总会（四川分会）联合举办了为期两天的新川文化节；2019年5月17日到6月14日，在成都市人民政府外事办公室和新加坡旅游局的支持下，我们在成都博物馆举办了娘惹文化节；2019年5月，在峨影·1958电影城举办了新加坡电影节；2020年9月至11月，参加了第二届成都熊猫亚洲美食节；自2014年以来，连续7年组织新加坡演出团体参加成都国际青年音乐节，2020年受疫情影响改为了线上活动。
Tan Chee King: The Singapore Consulate-General has organised and taken part in a number of cultural activities in Chengdu over the past few years. In 2018, we co-organised with the Singapore Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China (Sichuan Chapter) a two-day Singapore-Sichuan Cultural Festival from July 21 to 22 at Raffles City Chengdu. In 2019, we organised the Singapore Peranakan Festival from May 17 to June 14 at the Chengdu Museum with support from the Chengdu Foreign Affairs Office and Singapore Tourism Board (STB). We also held a Singapore Film Festival at the Sichuan Emei Film 1958 Movie Theatre in May 2019. Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19 in 2020, we took part in the 2nd Chengdu Panda Asian Food Festival from September to November. We also arranged for a Singaporean performing group to participate (virtually) at the Chengdu International Youth Music Festival for the 7th year in a row since 2014.
人员交流方面，我们于2019年启动了中国同亚洲国家的首个青年实习生交流计划。此外，自20世纪90年代中期以来，已有超过5万名中国官员到新加坡参加了学习访问和培训课程。2019年，中国是新加坡第一大游客来源国。
In the area of people-to-people exchanges, we have launched a Youth Interns Exchange Scheme – the first that China has with any Asian country in 2019. Separately, more than 50,000 Chinese officials have also come to Singapore for various study visits and training programmes since the mid-1990s, and China was Singapore’s largest source of tourists in 2019.
展望未来，2021年我们愿与西部地区的伙伴们一道举办更多文化活动，继续推介新加坡独特的多元文化以及国际化艺术和文化作品。2021年，成都还将举办包括大运会在内的多场大型活动。希望全球新冠肺炎疫情尽快结束，期待两国早日恢复包括旅游在内的人员往来！
Looking ahead, we hope to work with our friends and partners in West China to organise more cultural events in 2021. We are keen to continue to profile Singapore’ unique melting pot of multiculturalism, and our slate of international art and culture offerings. There will also be several major events taking place in Chengdu in 2021, not least the 2021 University Games. We hope that the global COVID-19 situation will improve expeditiously, and look forward to the resumption of people-to-people exchanges, including travel, between our two countries.
新加坡美景 （网络图片）
来源：《一带一路报道》2021年第1期
编辑：雷怡安
审核：李卉嫔
主编：邓灼
更多精彩详见《一带一路报道（中英文）》↓↓↓
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国内统一连续出版物号：CN 51-1788/F
国际标准连续出版物号：ISSN 2096-2886
邮发代号：62-625
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联系人：肖露
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