Chongqing - During the Chongqing delegation’s opening day on March 6, Yuan Jiajun, a deputy to the National People's Congress and Secretary of the CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee, responded to a journalist's question about the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity (CCI), expressing hope for a new "golden decade" of cooperation between the two regions.

A journalist from The Straits Times of Singapore asked, "This year marks the 35th anniversary of China-Singapore diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of the CCI. As the operations center of this initiative, how does Chongqing assess the past decade of cooperation? What key achievements have been made, and what are the prospects for development?"

Yuan answered, "The initiative is a significant strategic collaboration between China and Singapore in the new era and expressed optimism about entering the next 'golden decade' of cooperation." He outlined the project's achievements in four key areas:

First, China has elevated the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (ILSTC) to a national strategy. Leveraging this corridor, a trade route connecting western China with ASEAN and global markets has been successfully established. To date, the variety of goods transported via the corridor has expanded from fewer than 50 types to 1,150, reaching 127 countries and 555 ports worldwide.

The bonded imported grain direct train, part of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor connecting Muangxai in Laos with Wanzhou in Chongqing, has recently arrived at Xintian Port in the Wanzhou District. (Photo/Xie Zhiqiang)

Second, significant progress has been made in key areas of cooperation between Chongqing and Singapore, particularly in financial services, aviation, transportation and logistics, information and communications, and technological innovation. The number of direct flights between Chongqing and Singapore has increased from five per week to 24, making it the busiest international route at Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport.

Third, the initiative has expanded cultural exchanges and industrial collaboration between the two regions. Representatives from Singapore's Ministry of National Development, Ministry of Trade and Industry, and Embassy in China, along with over 50 enterprises and institutions—including Surbana Jurong, CPG Corporation, PSA International, and YCH Group—have visited the Chongqing Hub Port Industrial Park, leading to the launch of several key projects.

Fourth, the initiative has boosted economic and trade cooperation between western China and Southeast Asia. It has facilitated the entry of ASEAN agricultural products and raw materials into China's inland markets while accelerating the export of new energy vehicles and other Chinese products to ASEAN countries, contributing to regional economic growth.

The 2025 Chongqing Open Day at the Two Sessions attracted 100 domestic and international media outlets, including 37 foreign media organizations. During the event, international media like Hong Kong Ta Kung Wen Wei Media Group and The Straits Times of Singapore seized the opportunity to ask questions.