Chinese diversification helps fuel Singapore start-ups

Chinese businesses have had to face political tensions with the west, US sanctions that hit their revenues, and severe disruptions from mainland Covid lockdowns. But many have found a simple way to cope with all of this: set up a new home in Singapore.

As a city state of 5.5mn people in the heart of south-east Asia, with a majority ethnic Chinese population, Singapore has long been a popular destination for mainland investment. However, the flows of money, talent and expertise from China have accelerated since 2018, as geopolitics, decoupling supply chains and the pandemic forced a need for diversification.