The 16^th iteration of the Sino-Singapore Dialogue was held on 4 November 2024 in Beijing, China. The panel was moderated by Mr Gao Yuning, Associate Dean at Tsinghua University’s School of Public Policy, and featured speakers with a depth of experience in a wide range of specialisations. The panel comprised Dr Zhang Monan, Acting Director at the Institute of American and European Studies, China Center for International Economic Exchanges, Mr Douglas Foo, Founder and Chairman of Sakae Holdings Ltd and Non-resident High Commissioner of Singapore to the United Republic of Tanzania, Mr Wan Yu, Managing Director of the Malaysia-China Kuantan International Logistics Park, and Mr Vongthep Arthakaivalvatee, Former Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for the Socio-Cultural Community.

The dialogue noted that the partnership between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) had blossomed over the past two decades into a very dynamic relationship. Both China and ASEAN are each other’s largest trade partners, and recently concluded the 3^rd upgrade of the ASEAN-China FTA. Discussions focussed on how China could expand and develop a win-win relationship with ASEAN countries, such as through the upgrading of economic ties and trade cooperation, ensuring smoother cross-border movement of labour, exploring collaboration in training and education, as well as ways of improving the private sector’s utilisation of trade agreements between both parties.