Singapore and China to launch ‘fast lane’ official travel arrangement

Singapore and China will launch a “fast lane” arrangement early next month to help encourage essential travel. The travel will be essentially for business and official purposes, as both countries emerge from the coronavirus pandemic with control measures in place.

The arrangement would first apply to Singapore and six provinces or municipalities directly under the Chinese central government – Shanghai, Tianjin, Chongqing, Guangdong, Jiangsu and Zhejiang, said Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in a statement.

This arrangement will be gradually expanded to the other Chinese provinces and municipalities, according to a report by The Straits Times.

Both countries agreed to explore the increase of air links between them as part of the fast lane, following a video conference meeting between Chee Wee Kiong, Permanent Secretary of Singapore’s MFA, and China’s Vice-Foreign Minister Luo Zhaohui.

Both countries stressed the importance of securing the connectivity of production and supply chains, and agreed to improve the efficiency of freight linkages and customs clearance, including facilitating the flow of goods such as essential medical supplies and food. They agreed also to advance cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative.