The 3rd Singapore-China Social Governance Forum saw some 100 senior officials from Singapore and China exchanging views on common challenges in changing social landscapes. Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean and Secretary Meng Jianzhu, Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China and Secretary of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission delivered keynote addresses and opened the forum.

Minister for Social and Family Development Tan Chuan-Jin and Political and Legal Affairs Committee Secretary-General Wang Yongqing, who is also Deputy Secretary-General of the State Council, delivered the main theme speeches for the forum.

Mr Desmond Lee, Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development, and Mr Huang Ming, Vice Minister of China’s Ministry of Public Security, spoke on the topic “Social Governance and Urbanisation” and shared perspectives on efforts to build new communities, as well as to welcome newcomers into existing communities.

Mr Chee Hong Tat, Minister of State in the Ministry of Communications and Information and Ministry of Health, and Mr Lin Shaochun, Guangdong Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Committee of the CPC Central Committee, discussed how technology can be harnessed for citizen engagement as part of the topic “Social Governance in an Information Age”.

For the topic “Creating a Fair and Effective Justice System”, Ms Indranee Rajah, Senior Minister of State for Finance and Law spoke about streamlining Singapore’s legal system to improve access to justice. Mr Li Shaoping, Vice Minister of China’s Supreme People’s Court also shared China’s experiences.

In his closing remarks at the forum, Minister for Social and Family Development Tan Chuan-Jin said, “We have heard many insightful discussions at this year’s forum. The Social Governance Forums have been an excellent platform for both countries to understand each other’s perspectives, and to learn from each other’s experiences. I am happy that the focus of this year’s forum is on people, as they are at the heart of social governance. I look forward to exploring further areas of discussion at future forums.”

ANNEX A
ABOUT THE SOCIAL GOVERNANCE FORUM

The Singapore-China Social Governance Forum (SGF) has provided an important platform for key officials from Singapore and China to share experiences in social governance. 

The inaugural SGF in 2012 was held in Singapore with the main theme of “Social Management Challenges in Urban Development”. The forum covered the topics “Inclusive growth and the Income Gap”, as well as “Innovation in Social Management and Building a Harmonious Society”.

The second SGF in 2014 was held in Beijing with the main theme “Social Governance and the Rule of Law”. The forum also discussed the topics “A Systematic Approach to Meeting Society’s Needs and Aspirations” and “An Inclusive Approach to Social Governance”.

The fourth installment of the SGF is slated to take place in China.

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ANNEX B: LIST OF TRANSLATIONS