DAVOS, Switzerland - President Tharman Shanmugaratnam met Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Jan 16, with both leaders discussing the growing opportunities for collaboration between the two countries.

Both men are in Davos, Switzerland, for the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2024.

In a Facebook post on Jan 17, Mr Tharman said there is much potential for Singapore and China to expand and deepen cooperation to help spur Asia’s transition to a green economy, which needs acceleration.

The countries are also developing further linkages in financial markets to help trade and investments within Asia to grow, he added.

Mr Tharman noted that the two countries had in 2023 upgraded their bilateral relations to an “All-Round High-Quality Future-Oriented Partnership”, and also recently concluded the 19th Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation.

He added that the pair also exchanged views on regional and international developments.

“I reaffirmed Singapore’s longstanding and consistent ‘one China’ policy and opposition to Taiwan independence. The peaceful development of cross-strait relations will contribute to stability and prosperity in the region, which is important for all of us,” he said.

Separately on Jan 16, Mr Tharman also met Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky.

In his post, he said Mr Zelensky had thanked Singapore for its principled stand and support for Ukraine following Russia’s invasion, and for the Republic’s humanitarian assistance.

Mr Tharman emphasised Singapore’s commitment to the United Nations Charter, the principles of political independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity for all countries, big and small.

“It also matters critically for global order and stability. I informed him too that Singapore’s latest assistance of 22 ambulances, as Ukraine had requested, has just left our port,” he added.

“President Zelensky and I also discussed potential areas for cooperation in preparation for the eventual return to peace, such as in cyber security, smart cities and food exports from Ukraine.”

Mr Tharman added that one of the most fruitful things about the forum in Davos is being able to meet a wide range of foreign leaders.

On Jan 16, he also met Mongolia’s Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai, and Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden.

Both countries are keen to deepen relations with Singapore in a few areas, as is Singapore, Mr Tharman added.