PM Wong likens Singapore-Germany ties to Riesling and chilli crab pairing: 'Our differences can be a source of strength'

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 (Oct 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.

Co-operation, 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.

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.

德国雷司令（白葡萄酒）和新加坡辣椒螃蟹似乎是一种不太可能的搭配，正如总理黄循财在周二（10 月 27 日）晚为德国总理弗里德里希·默茨举办的官方晚宴上所承认的那样。

但黄先生指出，这款葡萄酒的清新口感和酸度与当地特色美食浓郁辛辣的口味搭配得非常完美。

这种食物搭配类似于新加坡和德国——地理位置相距遥远，国家性质也截然不同——但却拥有互补的优势，可以开辟新的可能性，例如在工业人工智能 (AI)、先进制造、生物医学科学和其他新兴领域。

黄英贤总理打趣道：“或许我们两国可以从中吸取一些教训。”他还补充说，新加坡和德国不必完全相同才能合作愉快。

“事实上，我们的分歧可以成为力量的源泉。”

他指出，这两个国家各自拥有不同的传统、能力和视角，却都发现了彼此都无法独自想象的新可能性。

新加坡总理进一步强调共同的信念如何能够拉近分歧而不是加剧分歧，并提出了一个“等式”。

他指出，德国以其卓越的工程技术和工业工艺而闻名，“德国制造”一词在世界范围内被公认为质量和可靠性的标志。

而新加坡则是一个在亚洲拥有高度互联性和可信赖的基地，其敏捷的生态系统能够促进新想法的开发、测试和推广。

黄循财总理表示：“因此，我们可以携手合作，发挥各自的优势，开辟新的可能性。”

合作与贸易并非零和博弈

总理补充说，新加坡和德国都是受益于开放互联世界的国家，它们明白合作与贸易并非零和博弈。

他指出，两国还有共同的利益，即保持各自地区的开放，加强基于规则的全球秩序，并表明在一个分裂的世界中，合作仍然是可能的，甚至是必要的。

为了证明这一点，德国加深了与东盟的合作，并于今年早些时候成为东盟的行业对话伙伴。

2027年，东盟与欧盟迎来对话关系50周年，恰逢新加坡担任轮值主席国，两国将有更多机会拉近彼此地区的距离。

黄英贤总理表示：“在其他国家都在筑起高墙的时候，我们希望搭建更多的桥梁——连接我们的经济、企业和人民。”

“归根结底，赋予这些桥梁意义的是我们人民之间的联系。而这些联系不仅存在于商业、教育和文化领域，有时也存在于一些意想不到的地方。”

尽管葡萄酒和食物的搭配可能有些不同寻常，但新加坡和德国将证明，共同的信念可以克服不同层次的差异。

两国周二在联合新闻发布会上宣布，他们已更新了联合工作计划，将在2024年建立的战略伙伴关系下，加强在五个确定的支柱领域的合作。

政治、国防、安全和情报

贸易、投资、交通和城市发展

数字化和人工智能

研究、科学、技术和创新

能源转型、绿色经济及咨询

该部补充说，将双边合作扩展到这些更多领域，是为了确保战略伙伴关系保持活力和前瞻性。

正如新加坡总理所说，这才是真正的伙伴关系。