PM Lee: Japan and Singapore share excellent relations and strong economic ties

Osaka, Japan— A warm welcome for Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in Osaka by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ahead of the Group of 20 Leaders’ Summit (G-20) today (June 28) showcases the excellent relations and strong economic ties between the two nations.

Singapore is not a member of the G-20 but PM Lee is invited along with the leaders of eight other non-member countries to participate in the summit.

In a Facebook post late Thursday night PM Lee thanked the Abe for inviting Singapore as the representative of the Global Governance Group (3G), saying this “will strengthen an engagement between #G20 and the wider United Nations membership.” The 3G, which is made up of 30 small and medium-sized states.

“Japan and Singapore share excellent relations and strong economic ties. We cooperate across many areas,” he says, adding that both countries are working closely to conclude the regional comprehensive partnership (RCEP) agreement by the end of this year.

“Look forward to strengthening our deep ties.showcases the excellent relations and strong economic ties between the two nations.”

Both Singapore and Japan ar working together on RCEP which is a trade agreement between the ten Aseam member countries, China, India, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, and Australia.

This year’s G-20 summit is held amidst tensions in trade relations, specifically between China and the United States, which has far-reaching implications for the rest of the globe.

But the focus of the summit this year is the meeting between US President Donald Trump and China’s Xi Jinping.

The summit will also feel the shadow of the massive demonstrations in Hong Kong, with citizens from some G-20 countries urging their leaders to bring up the matter with Xi at the summit.

Accompanying PM Lee are Heng Swee Keat, Singapore’s deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, and several senior officials from these ministries. / TISG

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