China-Singapore Relations

Did Zhu Rongji take on China’s hardest reforms?

Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji confronted some of China’s most difficult reforms, taking on vested interests and deep-rooted problems while pushing the country towards a more market-oriented, open and institutionalised economy, says academic Gu Qingyang.

Gu Qingyang

17 Aug 2026

Zhu Rongji: A legacy of transforming China’s economy and forging relations with ASEAN

A key standard-bearer of 1990s economic reform, former Premier Zhu Rongji, who passed away on 12 August, leaves a lasting imprint on China’s taxation, state-owned enterprises, accession to the World Trade Organization, and even on ASEAN. Lianhe Zaobao’s Sim Tze Wei and Tan Ke-Yang take a look at his legacy.

Sim Tze Wei, Tan Ke-Yang

13 Aug 2026

[Video] Lim Siong Guan: Can Singapore survive?

Singapore’s rise from “unwanted independence” to a trusted global brand was no accident. Former head of the civil service Lim Siong Guan reflects on working with Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Keng Swee in an interview with ThinkChina’s James Loo, and explains why small states must think long term in a world of unknown unknowns, as well as how culture, trust and a stellar civil service matter more than ever as Singapore navigates great power rivalry and rapid technological change.

James Loo

30 Apr 2026

[Video] George Yeo: America’s deep pain — and why China won’t colonise

George Yeo, in an interview with ThinkChina editor Chow Yian Ping, explores America’s deep social pain, China’s struggle with corruption rooted in Confucian ties, and why change is hard. He also weighs the risk of war in the Taiwan Strait and Singapore’s future in a fast-shifting world order. This is the first episode of ThinkChina Conversations, a series of in-depth interviews with experts on China.

Chow Yian Ping

27 Feb 2026

Why Chinese companies are eyeing SGX again

Chinese firms are returning to Singapore for secondary listings under simplified A-share rules. While governance scandals linger in memory, regulators insist transparency and oversight matter more than the market of choice. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Thomas Li Tao reports.

Thomas Li Tao

27 Jan 2026

Singapore’s Nyonya culture: Entering Chinese hearts through their palates

Despite the naysayers, Singaporean Liao Xuemin saw an opportunity to introduce Nyonya treats to China, and now she is reaping the rewards, boasting ten outlets of her Little Nonya store across China. Lianhe Zaobao journalist Zhu Yuxuan finds out what makes Little Nonya a success.

Zhu Yuxuan

31 Dec 2025

Pig farming, livestreaming: Singaporeans find new opportunities in China

With a massive market and economic reforms and opening up, China has become a land of opportunity for Singaporean entrepreneurs. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Yush Chau speaks with two that went off the beaten path — a pig farmer and an e-commerce livestream entrepreneur.

Yush Chau

31 Dec 2025

How Singapore’s ‘chief architect’ helped shape reform in China

When Singapore’s former deputy prime minister Goh Keng Swee became an adviser to China in the 1980s, he brought more than policy know-how — he helped shape its reform era. Caixin Global journalists tell us how Goh’s quiet influence has left a lasting mark on both nations.

Caixin Global

07 Nov 2025

Ambassador Peter Tan: How Lee Kuan Yew and Deng Xiaoping shaped Singapore–China ties

A small gesture between Lee Kuan Yew and Deng Xiaoping still shapes Singapore–China ties 35 years on. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Sim Tze Wei speaks with Singapore’s Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, Peter Tan, about diplomacy, respect and life beyond protocol.

Sim Tze Wei

05 Nov 2025

Vibrant, vast and vital: Singapore’s quest for relevance amid China’s evolution

As the book Singapore and China: Neighbours to Friends, Friends to Partners, co-edited by Professor Tommy Koh and Lee Huay Leng, editor-in-chief of SPH’s Chinese Media Group, is launched to mark the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Singapore, we republish Lee’s introduction titled Impressions. She stresses that Singapore must continually earn its relevance with China through understanding, engagement and adaptability.

Lee Huay Leng

03 Oct 2025

Chin Siat Yoon: 14 years on the front lines of Singapore-China diplomacy

Chin Siat Yoon, Singapore’s longest-serving ambassador to China from 1998 to 2012, is the recipient of the 2025 Business China Excellence Award. Reflecting on decades of Singapore-China relations, he recalls early challenges such as the Suzhou Industrial Park issue and shares insights on building lasting cooperation amid today’s shifting global geopolitical landscape. This is an edited version of his speech.

Chin Siat Yoon

03 Oct 2025

Marking 35 years: Singapore’s grounded approach to China engagement

Singapore and China have committed to deepening their All-Round High-Quality Future-Oriented Partnership during Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s visit to China. Although Beijing would like Singapore to sign on to its Community of Shared Future vision, it seems receptive to Singapore’s preference for pragmatic cooperation that produces tangible outcomes for the two countries. ISEAS researcher Lye Liang Fook explains.

Lye Liang Fook

02 Jul 2025