2004-2005: The Singapore Armed Forces undertakes its largest humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operation after the Dec 26 Indian Ocean tsunami. PM Lee convenes a special leaders meeting in the aftermath of the tsunami, bringing together ASEAN member states, key partners and international organisations.
2005: The US and Singapore sign the Strategic Framework Agreement, which recognises Singapore as a major security cooperation partner of the US.
2007: Singapore-Malaysia Leaders’ Retreat started by PM Lee and Malaysian PM Abdullah Ahmad Badawi; first meeting is held in Langkawi.
2007: PM Lee chairs the 13th ASEAN Summit in November; ASEAN Charter adopted.
2008: The International Court of Justice awards sovereignty over Pedra Branca to Singapore, and Middle Rocks to Malaysia.
2008: Tianjin Eco-city, the second government-to-government project between Singapore and China, is launched.
2010: PM Lee and Malaysian PM Najib Razak break 20-year deadlock on outstanding issues regarding the Points of Agreement of 1990 on Malayan Railway Land in Singapore. They also agree on a Rapid Transit System (RTS) link to be built between Johor Bahru and Singapore.
2015: Singapore facilitates historic meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou.
2015: Chongqing Connectivity Initiative, the third government-to-government project between Singapore and China, is launched.
2016: Singapore and Malaysia sign agreement to build a high-speed rail (HSR) between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, with a target to begin services by Dec 31, 2026.
2016: PM Lee makes official visit to the US at the invitation of President Barack Obama to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations. A state dinner at the White House caps off the visit.
2016-2017: Nine Singapore Armed Forces Terrex vehicles en route to Singapore from Taiwan after a routine training exercise are detained in Hong Kong for about two months.
2018: Singapore facilitates meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in June.
2018: The Singapore-KL HSR project is postponed.
2018-2019: Malaysia seeks to take back airspace in Southern Johor that was delegated to Singapore under an agreement with regional states that dates back to 1973. They later reach an agreement to end the months-long dispute, with Singapore halting its instrument landing system procedures at its Seletar Airport while Malaysia is to open up a restricted area near the countries' border.
2018-2019: Malaysian vessels anchor in Singapore's territorial waters off Tuas from December for months; both countries later agree to de-escalate maritime boundary dispute.
2020 onwards: COVID-19 pandemic hits. PM Lee is instrumental in the setting up travel schemes including the Periodic Commuting Arrangement, the Reciprocal Green Lane, the Vaccinated Travel Lane and a lane for compassionate travel.
2021: The HSR project is terminated, with Malaysia compensating Singapore for costs already incurred.
2023: Singapore and China upgrade bilateral relations to an All Round High Quality Future-Oriented Partnership and sign an upgraded free trade agreement.
2024: Singapore and Malaysia sign Memorandum of Understanding on a new Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone in January.
2024: A set of agreements between Singapore and Indonesia, dealing with air space management, defence and extradition, comes into force in March.
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2005: The US and Singapore sign the Strategic Framework Agreement, which recognises Singapore as a major security cooperation partner of the US.
2007: Singapore-Malaysia Leaders’ Retreat started by PM Lee and Malaysian PM Abdullah Ahmad Badawi; first meeting is held in Langkawi.
2007: PM Lee chairs the 13th ASEAN Summit in November; ASEAN Charter adopted.
2008: The International Court of Justice awards sovereignty over Pedra Branca to Singapore, and Middle Rocks to Malaysia.
2008: Tianjin Eco-city, the second government-to-government project between Singapore and China, is launched.
2010: PM Lee and Malaysian PM Najib Razak break 20-year deadlock on outstanding issues regarding the Points of Agreement of 1990 on Malayan Railway Land in Singapore. They also agree on a Rapid Transit System (RTS) link to be built between Johor Bahru and Singapore.
2015: Singapore facilitates historic meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou.
2015: Chongqing Connectivity Initiative, the third government-to-government project between Singapore and China, is launched.
2016: Singapore and Malaysia sign agreement to build a high-speed rail (HSR) between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, with a target to begin services by Dec 31, 2026.
2016: PM Lee makes official visit to the US at the invitation of President Barack Obama to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations. A state dinner at the White House caps off the visit.
2016-2017: Nine Singapore Armed Forces Terrex vehicles en route to Singapore from Taiwan after a routine training exercise are detained in Hong Kong for about two months.
2018: Singapore facilitates meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in June.
2018: The Singapore-KL HSR project is postponed.
2018-2019: Malaysia seeks to take back airspace in Southern Johor that was delegated to Singapore under an agreement with regional states that dates back to 1973. They later reach an agreement to end the months-long dispute, with Singapore halting its instrument landing system procedures at its Seletar Airport while Malaysia is to open up a restricted area near the countries' border.
2018-2019: Malaysian vessels anchor in Singapore's territorial waters off Tuas from December for months; both countries later agree to de-escalate maritime boundary dispute.
2020 onwards: COVID-19 pandemic hits. PM Lee is instrumental in the setting up travel schemes including the Periodic Commuting Arrangement, the Reciprocal Green Lane, the Vaccinated Travel Lane and a lane for compassionate travel.
2021: The HSR project is terminated, with Malaysia compensating Singapore for costs already incurred.
2023: Singapore and China upgrade bilateral relations to an All Round High Quality Future-Oriented Partnership and sign an upgraded free trade agreement.
2024: Singapore and Malaysia sign Memorandum of Understanding on a new Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone in January.
2024: A set of agreements between Singapore and Indonesia, dealing with air space management, defence and extradition, comes into force in March.
Continue reading...