Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng will make an official visit to the People's Republic of China from 21 to 27 August 2006 at the invitation of Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi.

DPM Wong will visit Suzhou from 21 to 22 August 2006.  In Suzhou, he will meet Jiangsu and Suzhou leaders, as well as visit the China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP) to get an update on developments there.

After Suzhou, DPM Wong will visit Beijing from 23 to 25 August 2006.  In Beijing, he will co-chair the 8th SIP Joint Steering Council (JSC) meeting with Vice Premier Wu Yi on 24 August 2006.  The JSC meeting will review the progress of SIP since the last meeting of May 2004 as well as chart new directions for its next phase of development.  DPM Wong will also co-chair the 3rd Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) meeting with Vice Premier Wu Yi on 25 August 2006.  The JCBC meeting will take stock as well as explore new areas of cooperation between the two countries.  In Beijing, DPM Wong is also scheduled to meet other Chinese leaders including Premier Wen Jiabao, State Councillor and Minister of Public Security Zhou Yongkang and Minister of State Security Xu Yongyue. 

DPM Wong will be accompanied to the JCBC/JSC meetings by Minister (PMO) Lim Swee Say, Minister for Health Khaw Boon Wan, Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs Raymond Lim, Minister of State for Trade and Industry Lee Yi Shyan and senior government officials.  

DPM Wong will round up his visit with the launch of the Overseas Singaporean Portal (www.overseassingaporean.sg) in Shanghai on 26 August 2006. Conceived by the Overseas Singaporean Unit (OSU), the Overseas Singaporean Portal seeks to update overseas Singaporeans on the latest developments in Singapore as well as provide platforms for overseas Singaporeans to connect with one another and Singapore.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

20 AUGUST 2006