Zhang Yu

JeniZhang13@163.com

SINGAPOREAN Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies Heng Swee Keat led a delegation of some 30 members on a visit to Shenzhen, China’s tech powerhouse, Thursday.

In a packed schedule, the delegation visited several leading companies in Shenzhen including innovative technology company XtalPi, Tencent-owned digital bank WeBank, high-tech company SmartMore, and industrial laser technology leader Han’s Laser.

They also toured the Qianhai Exhibition Hall, which offered them a glimpse into Qianhai’s rapid development and its role as a testing ground for China’s reform and opening up and a facilitator of the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Throughout the visit, Heng engaged in friendly exchanges with corporate executives, demonstrating a keen interest in understanding the technical details and innovations behind the companies’ products and technologies.

Driven by strong curiosity, Heng was also seen occasionally snapping photos with his phone or getting hands-on experience with the products.

At XtalPi, a technology company powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, Heng was impressed by how the company is working to accelerate the design and discovery of novel drugs and new materials leveraging quantum physics, AI, and robotic automation.

WeBank, China’s first online-only bank, showed the delegation its latest fintech innovations and the fruitful research results achieved by Singapore’s first fintech research center (JRC), which was established by WeBank and Nanyang Technological University in 2019.

According to Heng, inclusive loans and convenient loan services are important tools to alleviate the financing difficulties of small businesses, especially during a crisis like COVID-19. He also expressed appreciation to the digital bank’s big investments in technology.

At SmartMore, a company specializing in intelligent manufacturing solutions, the company’s president and chief technology officer showed the Singaporean deputy prime minister cutting-edge technologies that have the potential to transform various industries.

“No wonder the Chinese manufacturing industry is so competitive now!” Heng said when visiting Han’s Laser, a leading laser equipment manufacturer.

At the company’s smart manufacturing base in Bao’an District, different models of laser equipment and welding machines offered a wealth of interest and intrigue for the Singaporean deputy prime minister, who tried his hand at glass laser engraving.

Heng is on an official visit to China (Beijing, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong) from April 7 to 12.

The visit builds on the positive momentum of high-level exchanges between China and Singapore. It also serves as a good opportunity for both sides to explore ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation as well as exchange views on regional and international issues, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office Singapore.