Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry core council member Charles Ho said, "Shanghai is the economic and trade hub of East Asia, and Singapore is the hub of Southeast Asia. Their development interests are highly consistent, and they also have differentiated and complementary advantages." 

Ho pointed out that the world economy has reached an important point of transformation and development. Green industries, digital upgrades, artificial intelligence, and other fields are new driving forces for future growth.

"I sincerely encourage both parties to combine talents, technology and funds, and join forces to capture emerging fields and global business opportunities."

Ho pointed out how Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong led a delegation to visit China last December, where he expressed Singapore's confidence in the Chinese economy.

The recent arrangement of Singapore and China for a 30-day mutual visa-free entry for their citizens will "lay a stronger foundation for bilateral relations between the two countries," he said.

More than 150 people attended the event, including representatives from Temasek, CapitaLand, Hong Leong, Keppel, DBS Bank, and various business associations.

The writer is a freelance journalist for China Daily.