PM Lee Hsien Loong who is currently on an official visit to China wrapped up the Beijing leg of his trip today.

The timing of his three-day visit from Sept. 19 to 21 was significant as it comes less than a month before a crucial political meeting in China next month.

Bai Tian, vice-director of the Asian department at China’s foreign ministry had told the media that PM Lee’s visit, coming so close to the opening of China’s 19th Party Congress on Oct. 18, served as “an important political signal” that showed the two countries’ commitment to “maintaining the high-level visits”.

Here are some observations about PM Lee's visit so far.

1. PM Lee met four out of seven leaders in China's highest decision-making body, including top leader Xi Jinping.

Over the last two days, PM Lee has met four top leaders in China, including President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang, Chairman of the National People’s Congress Zhang Dejiang and Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection Wang Qishan.

This means that he has met with four out of seven leaders in China's highest decision-making body -- The Chinese Communist Party Politburo Standing Committee (PSC) during his short visit to Beijing. It reflects the goodwill and special level of access PM Lee has among the highest echelons of power in China.

PM Lee’s meeting with Xi took place on Sept. 20, the second day of his three-day official visit, at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People.

According to The Straits Times quoting a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), PM Lee and Xi discussed new areas of bilateral cooperation that include those in financial, judicial and legal matters, as well as in defence.

Xi said PM Lee’s China trip embodies mutual consensus to advancing relations between China and Singapore, and demonstrates the closeness of bilateral ties and described bilateral relations entering a "new historical chapter ".

Both leaders expressed hope that the close relationship between both countries will be taken further forward by successive generations of leaders.

2. Re-connecting with an old friend -- Wang Qishan, China's anti-corruption czar and Xi's key ally.

PM Lee also met with Wang Qishan, China's top graft-buster, and both leaders had a good time reminiscing about old times and his connection to Singapore.

The meeting was only announced after PM Lee landed in Beijing, surprising many observers.

According to Today, Wang, who was the co-chair of the Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC), the top body steering ties between the two countries from 2008 to 2012, said he was surprised but happy that a request had been made to meet him.

"So I sought permission and I am here meeting you and your delegation today ... Singapore is among the countries I have the most contact with."

Wang also reminisced about his meetings with the late Lee Kuan Yew:

"I had the privilege of having personal conversations with him on multiple occasions. He (was) such a visionary figure full of political wisdom.

"I gained a lot every time I talked with him ... I'm really greatly saddened by his passing. He was indeed a great man."

"Of all the Chinese leaders, the one I like to do business with is Wang Qishan", that was what founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew said in a Charlie Rose interview (see 11:00 onwards) in March 2011. He had described Wang as an "outstanding" talent.

There has been media speculations about Wang, who has passed the unofficial retirement age of 68, staying on in the PSC, and even displace Li Keqiang as Premier, after the 19th Party Congress.

However, a Sept. 18 report in Hong Kong's Mingpao quoted a military source who is a "red descendant" of the Chinese Communist Party's founding fathers, and purportedly close to Wang saying otherwise.

According to the report, Wang had hinted at his own retirement, saying somewhat jokingly that, "it's not possible to keep on working, it's time to take a good rest", when he was asked about his potential change in portfolio.

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3. Working together to boost China-Asean relations.

PM Lee's visit to China comes ahead of Singapore’s chairmanship of Asean next year, while it continues its role as country coordinator between the regional group and China.

Observers said managing its relations with Singapore was important for China in maintaining positive relationships with other Southeast Asian nations.

PM Lee had posted on his Facebook after his meeting with Li, pledging Singapore's commitment to bring ASEAN and China closer together.

According to a PMO statement on Sept. 19:

PM Lee and Premier Li affirmed the progress made in ASEAN-China relations during Singapore's tenure as Country Coordinator for ASEAN-China dialogue relations. Premier Li expressed support for Singapore's ASEAN Chairmanship in 2018. PM Lee said that Singapore would promote stronger ASEAN-China cooperation during our Chairmanship.

Li was quoted saying he hoped to “inject new energy” into China’s ties both with Singapore and ASEAN.

4. A good chance to experience high-level diplomacy for 4G leaders and junior political office-holders.

China is a one of our most important bilateral relationship, and it is crucial that our future leaders are groomed to take over the reins when the time comes.

Besides veterans like Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen and Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, PM Lee is also accompanied by members from the new generation of leaders and junior political office-holders, including Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Chan Chun Sing and Home Affairs and Health Parliamentary Secretary Amrin Amin.

For Chan, who oversees the third Government-to-Government project between Singapore and China -- the Chongqing Connectivity Initiative (CCI), this is the second time he is accompanying PM Lee to China. He was part of the delegation last year when PM Lee visited Chongqing and Hangzhou for the G20 summit in Sept. 2016.

Chan was also part of the delegation led by DPM Teo Chee Hean that visited Beijing for the JCBC meetings in February 2017.

For Heng, this is his first trip to China since he recovered from a serious stroke last May. He had only resumed work-related travel in May this year.

PM Lee will visit Xiamen, a city in the southeastern province of Fujian on Sept. 21, before returning home.

After visiting China, next up for PM is his trip next month to the United States, which is another one of our key foreign relations partner.

He will be meeting President Trump at White House.

Look out for the delegation list and see who among the new generation of leaders will get the opportunity to gain more experience in the art of diplomacy.

Cover photo from Getty Images