SINGAPORE, Oct 28 — German Riesling (white wine) and Singaporean chili crab may seem an unlikely pairing, as Prime Minister Lawrence Wong readily acknowledged at an official dinner hosted for German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Tuesday (October 27) night.  

But Wong noted that the wine’s freshness and acidity complemented the rich, spicy flavours of the local favourite remarkably well.

This food pairing is akin to Singapore and Germany — geographically far apart and very different countries — yet with complementary strengths that could open up new possibilities, such as in industrial artificial intelligence (AI), advanced manufacturing, biomedical sciences and other emerging fields. 

“Perhaps there is a lesson here about our two countries,” PM Wong quipped, adding that Singapore and Germany do not have to be alike to work well together. 

“Indeed, our differences can be a source of strength.” 

He pointed to how the two countries, each with its own traditions, capabilities and perspectives, have discovered new possibilities that neither had imagine on its own.

Doubling down on how shared convictions can pull differences closer than further, the Singapore prime minister put forth an “equation”. 

He noted that Germany is renowned for its engineering excellence and industrial craftmanship, with the phrase “Made in Germany” recognised around the world as a mark of quality and reliability.

And on Singapore’s part — a highly connected and trusted base in Asia, with an agile ecosystem where new ideas can be developed, tested and scaled.

“So together, we can combine our complementary strengths, to open up new possibilities,” PM Wong said.

Cooperation, trade not a zero-sum game

Singapore and Germany are countries that have benefitted from an open and connected world, knowing that cooperation and trade are not zero-sum propositions, the prime minister added. 

He noted that the two countries also share an interest in keeping their respective regions open, strengthening a rules-based global order, and showing that cooperation remains possible, even necessary, in a divided world.

Demonstrating this, German has deepened its engagement with Asean, becoming a sectorial dialogue partner earlier this year.

In 2027, when Asean and the European Union mark 50 years of dialogue relations, coinciding with Singapore’s chairmanship, the two countries will have further opportunities to bring their regions closer.

“At a time when others are putting up walls, we want to build more bridges — between our economies, our businesses and our peoples,” said PM Wong.

“Ultimately, what gives these bridges meaning are the connections between our people. And these can be found, not just in business, education and culture, but sometimes in more unexpected places.”

Unusual as the wine and food pairing may be, Singapore and Germany are set to prove that shared conviction can overcome differences, across levels.

The two countries announced at a joint press conference on Tuesday that they have updated their joint work plan that will see them intensify cooperation on five identified pillars under their Strategic Partnership that was forged in 2024. 

In a statement issued thereafter, Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs identified the five pillars as:

  • Political, defence, security and intelligence
  • Trade, investment, transport and urban development
  • Digitalisation and artificial intelligence
  • Research, science, technology and innovation 
  • Energy transition, green economy and consultations

Expanding bilateral cooperation into these further areas is to ensure that the strategic partnership remains dynamic and forward looking, the ministry added.

These, in the Singapore prime minister’s words, is what true partnership is about. — AsiaOne