The Straits Times, July 6 report: "(Singapore Minister for Sustainability and the Environment) Xu Fangda: Singapore-China cooperation must keep pace with the times. China has developed rapidly over the past several decades, achieving world-leading levels in many technological fields; therefore, Singapore-China collaboration cannot be constrained by outdated models and must evolve accordingly."

This July 6 report from The Straits Times on Minister Xu Fangda centers on the structural transformation currently underway in Singapore-China cooperation.

There are three layers of significance worth noting:

* In the past, Singapore often played the role of "teacher" or "intermediary," bringing advanced experience into China. Today, China has risen to global prominence in areas such as AI, new energy, and digital economy. Cooperation must move beyond old models toward higher-level "co-creation" through joint research and mutual recognition of standards.

* In response to the restructuring of global supply chains amid Sino-U.S. rivalry and industrial relocation, Singapore is striving to move beyond its previous reliance on low-cost manufacturing in China, instead focusing on China's competitive advantages in emerging sectors like green economy and biopharmaceuticals, exploring new cooperative pathways aligned with their updated comparative advantages.

* The phrase "keep pace with the times" mentioned in the article implicitly resonates with China’s enterprises going global. As an international hub, Singapore may serve as a platform for future collaboration—jointly expanding into Southeast Asia and global markets—upgrading bilateral relations into a more far-reaching partnership.

This shift also comes with challenges, particularly in data security, geopolitical pressures, and talent mobility, requiring both sides to find common ground within a new framework of rules. Overall, this signals a positive intent: both countries are determined to avoid falling behind due to entrenched thinking.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1870019518660672/

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