Singapore Welcomes Visit by Senior Chinese Maritime Official
Singapore played host to senior maritime official from China Capt Chen Aiping, Executive Director-General of Maritime Safety Administration of the People’s Republic of China (China MSA). Capt Chen arrived in Singapore yesterday for a two-day visit under the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore’s Distinguished Visitors Programme (DVP).
Launched in April 1997, the DVP aims to engage senior maritime personalities who are prime movers and key opinion makers in the international maritime community. The DVP aims to establish and build up good and long-lasting relations with these personalities and their organisations, as well as to strengthen bilateral maritime relations.
In this instance, Capt Chen’s visit was aimed at strengthening MPA-China MSA bilateral ties and exploring opportunities for future co-operation. Through such engagement, both parties hoped to establish mutual trust and understanding.
As Executive Director-General of China MSA, Capt Chen oversees 20 regional MSAs and 97 local branches in China. China MSA is the key maritime regulatory body in China that formulates and implements policies and regulations to ensure maritime safety and prevention of marine pollution in China. China MSA also undertakes long-term planning to develop a modern multifunctional maritime safety supervision system in China.
During his visit to Singapore, Capt Chen called on Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, Choi Shing Kwok. Capt Chen also met up with Senior Management of MPA including Mr Lam Yi Young, Chief Executive of MPA. Issues discussed included safety of navigation, green shipping and port activities, and co-operation on Malacca and Singapore Straits. Both sides exchanged useful insights and enjoyed a good discussion on maritime issues of mutual interest such as maritime security, protection of the marine environment and other developments at the International Maritime Organization.
Singapore, 17 May 2011