Second decade
2004
SIP announced its first dividend payout to shareholders during the 10th-anniversary celebrations.
“Suzhou Industrial Park is a grand, unprecedented cooperation plan between the governments of the two countries.”
– Lee Kuan Yew in his speech at a meeting celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the SIP on Jun 9, 2004
2006
Aug 24
Singapore and China signed an agreement to expand the SIP from 70 sq km to 80 sq km.
Photo: BT FILE
Photo: BT FILE
source: PAGE 144, VISIONARY PARTNERSHIP KNOWLEDGE INNOVATION (2019)
“Imagination, determination, industrious people has made the SIP a success. What Suzhou can do all China also can.”
– Lee Kuan Yew’s inscription for the SIP on Jun 8, 2004
April
The Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-city was mooted by then Singapore senior minister Goh Chok Tong and Chinese premier Wen Jiabao. This is the second flagship government-to-government project between the two countries after the SIP.
2007
Photo: BT FILE
2009
By its 15th anniversary, the SIP's GDP contribution exceeded 100 billion yuan, cumulative tax contributions exceeded 100 billion yuan, actual utilisation of foreign investment exceeded 100 billion yuan, and domestic registered capital exceeded 100 billion yuan. This meant the achievement of the 'four hundred billion goals'. At the SIP’s 15th anniversary celebrations, then Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew commented that the SIP had “outdone” Singapore.
Article published in Suzhou Daily, May 26, 2009
2010
November
The National University of Singapore (Suzhou) Research Institute was founded, jointly witnessed by China’s then vice-president Xi Jinping and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. This was NUS’ first overseas research institute.
PHOTO: Xinhua
“Suzhou Industrial Park is a successful model of mutually beneficial cooperation.”
– Xi Jinping, Nov 14, 2010