The logo of the China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) is seen in Nanning, South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on September 17, 2025. Entering its 22nd edition this year, the old-line CAEXPO for the first time set up a 10,000-square-meter pavilion dedicated to artificial intelligence. Photo: VCG

The Version 3.0 China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) will bring new markets and opportunities for cooperation between Singapore and China, as enterprises of the two countries will feel directly tangible benefits including smoother customs processes, said Low Yen Ling, senior minister of Singapore for the Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth. 

Low made the remarks in a group interview on the sidelines of the ongoing 22nd China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) and China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit in Nanning, South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, highlighting tech and economic collaborations between China and ASEAN.

Low Yen Ling, senior minister of state for Singapore's Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, speaks to reporters during a group interview in Nanning, South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on September 17, 2025. Photo: Liu Yang/GT

The spirit of cooperation demonstrated through the CAEXPO reflects that, in the current turbulent global environment, leaders and enterprises from both China and ASEAN countries are committed to promoting economic integration and upholding a rules-based trading spirit. This is something that governments and businesses in both regions should continue to adhere to, while also providing sustained confidence to enterprises, Low noted.

The official said every time she attends the expo, she can witness significant changes and rapid progress, noting that Singaporean enterprises have been actively participating since 2004, and they all say that the expo offers opportunities for greater trade. 

Meanwhile, Low highlighted Guangxi's role as a gateway city facilitating direct access for ASEAN to China and promoting two-way investment between Chinese and ASEAN enterprises. 

As AI has become a key focus and highlight of China-ASEAN cooperation, Low said that the activities of the expo fully demonstrate that China has a vast array of application scenarios in technology, the digital economy, and AI. ASEAN is also highly focused on the development of AI, she said, noting the importance of mutual learning and sharing more knowledge in this area among ASEAN and its partner countries, including China, to enhance relevant skills. 

"If we make good use of AI, it can significantly enhance the efficiency and productivity of enterprises, especially small and medium-sized ones," Lwo said, adding that AI can also help improve the cultural and educational literacy of people, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of education.

This year also marks the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Singapore. As for China-Singapore economic and trade ties, the Singaporean official said that the flagship projects between governments of the two countries reflect the progressive and innovative elements of bilateral cooperation, as leaders of the two countries elevated China-Singapore relations to an all-round high-quality future-oriented partnership in March 2023.

Low pointed to three flagship projects as an example to demonstrate a spirit of mutual benefit, win-win cooperation, and keeping pace with the times between China and Singapore.

The Suzhou Industrial Park is the first intergovernmental cooperation project between China and Singapore. "At the end of last year, we celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Suzhou Industrial Park. When the industrial park was launched in 1994, its goal was to attract investment and develop a standard manufacturing base. Over the past 30 years, it has transformed into a high-value industrial center," she said.

Aerial view of the China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park File photo: VCG

The China-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City is the world's first eco-city co-developed by China and Singapore. Low noted that so far, the Tianjin Eco-City has become a model of sustainable, low-carbon development within the close cooperative framework of both nations, serving as an exemplar for other countries.

Low also cited the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity, which was launched in 2015. The official said that this project emphasizes modern services, logistics connectivity, and digital economy, in the context of the internet era.

"The three projects reflect that during the 35 years of our journey, the two countries have established a mutually beneficial relationship with multifaceted cooperation encompassing government-to-government, business, and people-to-people exchanges. The spirit of our collaboration continues to evolve with the times," she noted.

Singapore is China's fifth largest trading partner among ASEAN countries. Since 2013, China has been Singapore's largest trading partner for 12 consecutive years. In 2024, bilateral trade between the two sides reached $111.11 billion, up 2.6 percent year-on-year, data from China's Ministry of Commerce showed.

Since 2013, Singapore has been China's largest source of new investment for 12 consecutive years. In April 2022, Singapore surpassed Japan to become China's largest cumulative source of foreign investment. In 2024, Singapore's new investments in China amounted to $10.69 billion, a 9.2 percent increase, while Chinese enterprises' new direct investments in Singapore across all industries totaled $11.79 billion, official data showed.

Last year, the two countries upgraded the China-Singapore Free Trade Agreement. "We see that the enhanced version provides more opportunities for cooperation and access to new markets for enterprises of both nations, particularly in emerging fields such as the green economy, digital economy, and sustainable renewable energy," she said.