Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on Thursday that China can play a bigger role in finding new paths for international cooperation and supporting regional prosperity and stability given its economic weight and expanding influence at a time of growing geopolitical antagonism and economic fragmentation.
Wong urged like-minded economies to create smaller, plurilateral arrangements as multilateral agreements become "extremely hard" to reach in a more complex and fractured world while addressing a plenary meeting of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2026 in Boao, south China's Hainan Province. He said China can play a critical role in shaping new forms of cooperation.
He provided examples of agreements like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA). These are not "exclusive clubs," but open and inclusive frameworks that other partners can join when they are ready.
"China has placed science, technology and innovation at the center of its development strategy. It is already at the forefront in key emerging areas, including digital and green technologies. More importantly, it is advancing innovation at scale, accelerating adoption and driving progress across industries. China is therefore well positioned not just to participate in the next wave of technological change, but to shape and lead this change," he said.
Wong said Singapore welcomes China's moves to take on greater responsibilities in the international system, including voluntarily giving up certain WTO developing-country benefits, and its active engagement through four key global initiatives.
"China continues to contribute ideas to global discussions through its community with a shared future and four key global initiatives on development, security, civilization and governance. These reflect China's growing engagement in shaping the global agenda," he said.
Moreover, Wong said China will be crucial in anchoring Asia's growth prospects with its vast domestic market presenting growth opportunities for the region.
"Singapore also believes that China can play an even bigger role in supporting regional prosperity and stability. China's vast domestic market can be a powerful engine of growth for the region. China's 15th Five-Year Plan, with its greater emphasis on domestic consumption, points in this direction and will create new opportunities for the region," he said.
The Singaporean prime minister commended China's efforts to support open markets, and strengthen confidence in a predictable and stable global trading system.
"China can also help shape the region's evolving economic architecture. At a time of growing fragmentation, the world needs strong advocates for open and rules-based trade. Here in Hainan, the free trade port stands as a concrete example of China's commitment to openness," he said.
Founded in 2001, the BFA is a non-governmental and non-profit international organization committed to promoting regional economic integration and bringing Asian countries closer to their development goals.
Running from March 24 to 27, this year's conference is themed "Shaping a Shared Future: New Dynamics, New Opportunities, New Cooperation."
Singaporean prime minister expects China to play bigger role in global, regional growth
