BEIJING - Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong attended a reception for Singaporeans at the China World Hotel in Beijing on Dec 5. In China on a four-day visit, with a delegation that includes a host of Singapore’s fourth generation leaders, he mingled with around 300 students, entrepreneurs and professionals.

Among them was pharmaceutical executive Joan Tan, who said she was there to “meet our fourth generation of leaders up close”.

“I think it is important to hear what they have to say, especially at this juncture where both countries are building on strengthening our relationship,” she said.

Peking University undergraduate Chia Hui Qin, 19, was excited to meet Ms Low Yen Ling, her MP from Chua Chu Kang GRC, and rushed over to chat and take a picture with her. She and her fellow undergraduates also got to chat with DPM Wong, and posed with him for a picture.

“I thought it was meaningful that (Mr Wong) said Singapore and China aren’t just deepening ties at a government to government level, but it is at all levels, including people to people exchanges that include all of us,” Ms Chia told The Straits Times.

DPM Wong is in China at the invitation of Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang. He and Mr Ding will co-host the Joint Council on Bilateral Cooperation, the annual top-level platform between both governments, on Dec 7.