Singapore and China ASEAN Cooperation Could Deepen Regional Economic Integration

Singapore and China ASEAN cooperation could play an important role in strengthening regional economic integration as Singapore prepares to assume the bloc’s chairmanship in 2027, Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong said.

Speaking at the FutureChina Global Forum, Gan said deeper ASEAN economic integration would be a priority for Singapore’s chairmanship and argued that a stronger and more resilient ASEAN should be a shared priority for Singapore and China.

He identified trade, connectivity and capability-building as areas for closer cooperation, highlighting the Chongqing Connectivity Initiative alongside opportunities in the digital and green economies.

Singapore’s priorities also align with ASEAN’s wider digital integration agenda.

Negotiations on the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement concluded in May, with the agreement scheduled to be signed in November.

The framework is intended to strengthen regional digital economic integration and could support greater cross-border trade and investment as ASEAN develops more closely connected markets.