Leader's visit to focus on regional stability

President Xi Jinping's visit to Singapore comes at a time when far-reaching developments are taking place in the Asia-Pacific region. One of the most significant developments is the slowdown in the Chinese economy.

With China's GDP growth now below 7 percent and with growth projections remaining in the range of 6 to 7 percent for the next few years, the Asia-Pacific is adjusting to a slowing Chinese economy. For several years, Southeast Asia and other parts of the Asia-Pacific have relied on China's rapid growth for their own economic expansion. Singapore is a particularly important example in this respect.

After Shanghai, Singapore has the second-busiest port in the world. It occupies a strategically important position on the maritime route between China and Europe, as also between China and Australia and New Zealand. It is the most important port in Southeast Asia, too. China's rapid economic growth and trade and investment links with Europe, Oceania and Southeast Asia had reflected positively on Singapore's economy by making it one of the focal points on China's maritime trade routes.