HONG KONG – Hainan and Hong Kong present fresh gateways for Singapore to tap into China’s growth, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong stated on March 28, urging his nation to innovate amid the mainland’s swift transformations.
Wrapping up a four-day visit from March 25, Wong attended the Boao Forum for Asia in Hainan and met Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee. “Excellent bilateral ties provide multiple touchpoints from Hong Kong and Hainan’s Free Trade Port to projects in Suzhou, Tianjin, and Chongqing,” he told Singapore media.
Singapore pledges long-term investment in China, backing Hainan’s port development and exploring AI, tech, and green economy collaborations under China’s 15th Five-Year Plan. Wong’s keynote at Boao emphasized China’s role in a resilient global order, while in Hong Kong, he toured the Northern Metropolis tech hub in the Greater Bay Area.
His second China trip in nine months underscores momentum since June 2025. Yet, Wong warned Singapore, a “country city” sans vast hinterland, must evolve. “China’s rapid changes remind us not to stand still; we must upgrade to add value globally.”
Lacking China’s domestic market scale, Singapore leans on ASEAN integration, especially as it chairs the bloc in 2027. Wong spotlighted sub-regional accelerators like the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, eyeing Riau Islands inclusion for a growth triangle, plus Vietnam links. “These let us advance even if ASEAN moves unevenly,” he said.