The Singapore government will be providing S$1 million in seed funding as well as medicine, medical supplies, and diagnostic test kits to China to aid them in the fight against the Wuhan virus outbreak.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said in a press statement that the Singapore government will be supporting efforts by the Singapore Red Cross, the Singapore Trade Associations and Chambers, companies and local community organisations to launch a public appeal to raise funds for humanitarian assistance.

These funds will go to aiding communities in China which have been severely affected by the Wuhan virus, which is also known as the 2019 nCoV.

MFA said:

"Singapore wishes China well in its efforts to fight the nCoV. The viral epidemic is a common threat to all of us. Singapore is confident that through close cooperation, China, Singapore and the rest of the international community will overcome this challenge."

Strong bilateral relationship

Singapore and China enjoys a strong bilateral relationship, with Chinese tourists accounting for about 20 per cent of Singapore's international visitors.

In 2019 alone, about 3.6 million Chinese tourists visited Singapore in 2019.

However, the recent travel restriction on visitors from mainland China, as well as the suspension of Singapore’s status as a visa-free transit facility for those with PRC passports have resulted in a sharp fall in Chinese tourist arrivals. 

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Top image via VisitSingapore.