We exchanged views on developments in the United States, in Europe, in Asia, as well as our concerns over the recent terrorist attacks in the West and in our part of the world. Singapore and Australia are both outward-oriented and trade-dependent countries. We want a peaceful and orderly world, an open and inclusive international system where countries big and small can prosper.
That’s why we are both friends with all the major powers. We see the United States continuing to play a major role fostering peace and stability in Asia.
We also welcome China's engagement in the region because for both Singapore and Australia, China is our largest trading partner. Constructive initiatives such as the ‘One Belt, One Road’, can promote greater regional cooperation and development.
The strategic alignment between Singapore and Australia is why we work closely on regional trade initiatives like the TPP and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, or RCEP.
Mr Turnbull took the lead in resuming TPP talks among the remaining 11 members after the US withdrew from the TPP. It shows Australia's continued commitment to regional cooperation and to free trade. Singapore agrees with and supports the TPP 11 deal.
Mr Turnbull and I also agreed on the importance of ASEAN centrality in an open participation in the East Asia Summit. Next year Singapore is the ASEAN chair and we look forward to the special ASEAN-Australia Summit, which will be in Sydney in March.
Last October in Canberra, we signed significant agreements on economic integration, defence cooperation and innovation. I’m happy that since then, we have made progress.
The upgraded Singapore-Australia FTA will come into force this year. We are making progress in the joint development of the military training areas in Queensland and we deeply appreciate Australia's continued support for Singapore's SPF training needs, which will benefit both defence forces and the local economy in the towns where these happen. We look forward to this arrangement being finalised in a treaty next year.
We have witnessed two agreements signed on new areas of collaboration. On innovation, to increase collaboration and joint funding to promote advanced manufacturing and data science to address the challenges of future economies. And on cyber-security, to build on existing cooperation to combat cyber-threats warm partnership and I thank Prime Minister Turnbull and Australia for their strong support for cooperation and friendship.
I thank Prime Minister Turnbull and Australia for their strong support for cooperation and friendship.
AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER VISIT TO SINGAPORE
LEADERSHIP
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