PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT TO CHINA

Mr Chiam See Tong asked the Prime Minister (a) whether the Singapore Government paid for the travelling and boarding expenses of the Singapore Delegation's recent trip to China, and, if so, what sum of money was expended; and (b) what are the prospects of substantial trade increases, in the short term and in the long term between Singapore and China.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew: (a) The Singapore Government paid for the travelling expenses of the official delegation to China and back. It amounted to S$64,631. No travelling and hotel expenses were incurred within China as the delegation was accorded hospitality by the Government of the People's Republic of China.

(b) Between 1979 and 1984, Singapore's trade with PRC grew by more than one and a half times from $1.3 billion to $3.4 billion. If the PRC maintains its present trade policy and economic modernisation,there are good prospects of further increases in our trade, both in the immediate future and in the long-term.