Premier Li Qiang Affirms China's Commitment to Global Engagement
Chinese Premier Li Qiang concluded a significant official visit to Singapore from October 25 to 26, 2025, where he reiterated China's steadfast commitment to promoting high-level opening-up and continuously optimizing its business environment. The Premier's remarks were made during a China-Singapore business roundtable on Sunday, October 26, underscoring Beijing's dedication to fostering a more welcoming and predictable landscape for international businesses.
Key Pledges for Market Access and Business Environment
During the business roundtable, attended alongside Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, Premier Li Qiang outlined specific measures China intends to pursue. He stated that China would 'firmly promote high-level opening-up, further ease market access, continuously optimize business environment and actively address enterprises' reasonable concerns.' These commitments aim to reassure foreign investors and businesses operating within China, signaling a continued push towards greater economic integration and transparency. The Premier highlighted that the development of each country presents an important opportunity for the other, advocating for mutual respect, trust, opening-up, and cooperation to achieve shared prosperity.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties and Regional Cooperation
Premier Li Qiang's visit marked a significant milestone, celebrating the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and China in 2025. This was his first official visit to Singapore as Premier, following a visit by Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to Beijing in June. During his stay, Premier Li held bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, where both leaders agreed to further strengthen bilateral trade and investment links. They also witnessed the exchange of cooperation documents in various areas, including:
- Green development
- Digital economy
- Information and communication
- Transportation
- Food safety
- Emergency management
- Training and development
- Third-party cooperation
Advocating for Multilateralism and Free Trade
Beyond bilateral discussions, Premier Li Qiang used the platform to advocate for a broader global economic vision. He emphasized China's willingness to work with Singapore to 'oppose unilateralism and protectionism, uphold free trade and economic globalisation, and promote the development of the international order in a more just and reasonable direction.' This stance reinforces China's consistent message on maintaining an open and rules-based multilateral trading system, particularly amidst global headwinds.
9 Comments
Muchacho
China's version of multilateralism is self-serving, not truly open.
anubis
Strengthening ties with Singapore is mutually beneficial for trade, however, concerns about geopolitical influence and data privacy remain a valid consideration for many.
paracelsus
Finally, a strong voice for free trade against protectionism!
anubis
Excellent! More global cooperation is exactly what we need.
paracelsus
Just a charm offensive to distract from internal economic issues.
Africa
The commitment to improving the business environment is a good sign, yet foreign firms often encounter regulatory hurdles and a lack of transparency that undermine these efforts.
paracelsus
Same old rhetoric, different day. We've heard these promises before.
anubis
Premier Li's message of high-level opening-up is welcome, but the true impact will depend on concrete policy changes that address long-standing issues like intellectual property theft and forced technology transfer.
eliphas
This commitment to openness is a huge step forward for business.