HONG KONG – There is “healthy competition” between Singapore and Hong Kong, but in an increasingly fragmented world, it is “more important than ever” that the two cities connect and collaborate, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on March 27.
“We are hubs for our respective regions, and while there is some competition from time to time, I think it is healthy competition,” PM Wong told Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee at a meeting at the Government House in Central.
“More importantly, when we connect with one another, the pie grows, and we both benefit because we both believe in free trade, we both believe in rules-based multilateralism,” he added.
Underscoring that point, the two leaders discussed ways to expand bilateral cooperation including in new and emerging areas, such as research and innovation, and youth and community engagement.
PM Wong is in Hong Kong after attending China’s annual Boao Forum for Asia in Hainan province.
It is the first visit to Hong Kong by a sitting Singapore prime minister in 12 years, and his visit, until March 28, reciprocates Mr Lee’s trip to Singapore in July 2023.
“It’s a delight to be here, because many things have happened in Hong Kong,” PM Wong told Mr Lee.
“There are new developments I’d like very much to hear and learn about… I’d like to see what Hong Kong is doing, and how Singapore can participate in some of these opportunities too,” he said.
Mr Lee told PM Wong: “Hong Kong and Singapore grow as the heartbeats of Asia.
“We believe in building bridges, dialogue and collaboration. We believe in win-win, creating a bigger cake for everybody.”
At their meeting, PM Wong expressed confidence in Hong Kong’s continued development and prosperity, according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
