On January 13 morning, Singapore's ambassador to China Lui Tuck Yew visited The Charhar Institute Beijing Office Shiyuan Garden. Chairman Dr. Han Fangming and representatives from Charhar National Council and the secretariat attended the meeting.

Dr. Han Fangming firstly welcomed Ambassador Lui to set up a new position in China. He said that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Singapore. As China's major friendly group to Singapore, The Charhar Institute is willing to continue to work with relevant Singaporean institutions to advance bilateral relations to new levels. Han recalled the friendly exchanges with the former Singapore Ambassador to China, Mr. Stanley Loh Ka Leung, and their joint efforts during the ups and downs of relationships between the two countries. Singapore has made important contributions to promote China's reform and opening-up and he also expects that Singapore will continue to speak out and contribute to China-Singapore friendship, regional peace, and development. Setbacks are not the norm, and friendship is the mainstream.

Ambassador Lui Tuck Yew said that in the past few years, The Charhar Institute has contributed to the development of friendly relations between Singapore and China, especially in the period when the relationship between the two countries experienced difficulties. Charhar has played a unique role as an independent think tank and it is hoped that it will continue to support the work of the embassy, increase exchanges and cooperation on the 30th anniversary, create better platforms and play a greater role.

Ambassador Lui Tuck Yew said that the upgrading of the China-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (CSFTA) has also brought new opportunities for the development of China-Singapore economic cooperation. The China–Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park, Tianjin Eco-City and Chongqing Strategic Interconnection Demonstration Project have a solid foundation for cooperation between the two governments. He also hopes to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in private sectors between Singapore and China. He welcomes more participation by Chinese private enterprises, including members of Chahar National Council.

Han Fangming introduced the main leaders of Charhar National Council and the secretariat. He looks forward to continuing to strengthen communication with Ambassador Lui Tuck Yew on topics of common interest. The Charhar Institute will, as always, support and participate in think tank, media, and cultural events and activities to enhance social influence, and serve as an unofficial channel of decision-making in the development of China-Singapore relations.

Fan Yurong, Deputy Chairman and Liu Miao, Standing Member of Charhar National Council, Ambassador Li Qiangmin, Secretary-General, and Zhou Hucheng, Standing Deputy Secretary-General of Charhar Institute also attended the meeting. Wei Feng, President of the Singapore EMBA Fellowship of Tsinghua University, and First Secretary (Political) Mr. Calvin Wong Yun Sheng of the Singapore Embassy also attended the meeting.