Singaporean PM hopes to build closer ties with Chinese leaders during upcoming visit

China

Singaporean PM hopes to build closer ties with Chinese leaders during upcoming visit

2025-06-21 14:31 Last Updated At：23:47

Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on Wednesday that he hopes to build closer ties with Chinese leaders and reaffirm their shared commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation during his upcoming official visit to China.

At the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Wong will visit China from June 22 to 26.

Wong has been to China many times, but his upcoming visit holds special significance as it will be his first official trip to China as the prime minister of Singapore.

In a recent interview with the China Central Television, Wong talked about his expectations and key priorities of this special trip.

"I made it a point to visit China almost every year since entering politics, because it is useful to visit regularly, to interact, exchange notes with my counterparts, and to get a sense of how China is moving and transforming. I have always had good visits. I have always had good exchanges and meetings with my counterparts," Wong said.

"It is more special this time because it is my first visit in my capacity as prime minister. I would look forward to achieving several objectives. First, to just establish closer ties with Chinese leaders, especially with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. Second, to reaffirm our shared commitment to enhancing our bilateral cooperation, especially as we mark the 35th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year. And then, of course, thirdly, to discuss the wider regional and global developments that we are all confronting during this challenging period and to see how we can continue working together to strengthen multilateralism and the rules-based global order," he said.

Wong is expected to meet with Xi during his upcoming visit. Recalling their last meeting on the sidelines of the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Lima in November, Wong said he looks forward to meeting with the Chinese president again.

"We had a short but productive meeting at the sidelines of APEC last year. My first time, in fact, as prime minister, at that time. We discussed our bilateral cooperation; we discussed cooperation in regional platforms like APEC, and how we can take this forward. And I said to President Xi at that time that I would be visiting China next year -- that was in 2024, I said next year in 2025 when we mark the 35th anniversary of diplomatic ties. So I am doing so right after the elections, at the soonest possible opportunity to visit China now, and I hope to be able to meet him again," Wong said.

Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests

The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.

In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.

"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.

Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.

The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."

Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.

President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.

Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.

Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.

The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.