US-China tech rivalry, Reuters: Singapore shifts from gateway to AI neutral zone
Amidst intensifying US-China tech competition, Singapore is transforming its role from an East-West 'gateway' to an 'AI neutral zone,' according to Reuters. Chinese startups seek less government regulation, while US companies look for overseas talent. Singapore is solidifying its position as a neutral hub in the AI industry by offering AI talent visas, IP registration tax incentives, and establishing an AI park.
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- 📰 Published: April 24, 2026 at 14:41
- 🔍 Collected: April 24, 2026 at 15:02 (20 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 25, 2026 at 01:28 (10h 26m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Wu Sheng-hung, Singapore 24th) As the United States and China compete for technological dominance through export controls and talent management, Chinese startups hope to operate in an environment with less government oversight, while American companies seek overseas talent to avoid the troubles of stricter visa regulations. Reuters reported that Singapore is "transforming from an East-West gateway to an AI industry neutral zone."
Frankie Xie, Media and Publishing Director of the Asia AI Association, who has assisted many startups in Singapore with policy compliance and other processes, pointed out in an interview with the Central News Agency today that establishing a company in Singapore makes international clients feel more secure, because if a startup's intellectual property rights are set up in Singapore, they will be relatively less directly affected by regulations from China or the United States at the same time.
Xie pointed out that in response to the US-China tech rivalry, Singapore's role development further strengthens its goal of becoming "the most AI-driven economy," including encouraging all citizens to learn and use AI, providing AI-related talent visas, and offering tax incentives for intellectual property registration.
The Singaporean government also proposed expanding tax incentives for the "Enterprise Innovation Scheme." Starting from the assessment years 2027 to 2028, companies can enjoy a tax deduction of up to 400% on AI-related expenditures, capped at S$50,000 (approximately NT$1.23 million). One-north will establish an Artificial Intelligence Park (AI Park) to create a physical innovation ecosystem that promotes collaboration among startups, research institutions, and multinational corporations, accelerating the verification of technological concepts and commercialization.
Reuters reported today that Singapore is transforming its role from a gateway between the East and West to a neutral zone for the artificial intelligence industry. Chinese startups hope to operate in an environment with less government oversight, while American companies seek overseas talent to avoid the troubles caused by stricter visa regulations.
The report pointed out that this city-state, long favored for its business-friendly policies and bilingual population, is increasingly seen as a base that can maintain distance from both China and the United States simultaneously. US President Donald Trump, during his first term, brought US-China tech competition to the forefront due to security risks, forcing tech companies to navigate between the measures of both sides, and this situation further intensified in his second term with the spread of AI.
The report also mentioned that in the United States, tech companies also have to deal with reforms to the H-1B visa system for highly skilled talents, which affects the operating models of companies that have long relied on frequent dispatch or recruitment of employees to the US.
However, Chong Ja Ian, a political scientist at the National University of Singapore, mentioned that as the US and Chinese governments increasingly demand their respective tech systems to remain separate, Singapore could be viewed as a grey area for technology transfer, including the flow of talent to new companies, and these activities could still lead to Singapore facing relevant restrictions.
Singapore previously investigated the transshipment of NVIDIA's advanced chips. Local media reported that internal affairs officials stated that the servers involved might have carried chips from Singapore to neighboring Malaysia, urging Malaysia and the United States to provide more information to assist the investigation. (Edited by Tang Sheng-yang) 1150424
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(Central News Agency reporter Wu Sheng-hung, Singapore 24th) As the United States and China compete for technological dominance through export controls and talent management, Chinese startups hope to operate in an environment with less government oversight, while American companies seek overseas talent to avoid the troubles of stricter visa regulations. Reuters reported that Singapore is "transforming from an East-West gateway to an AI industry neutral zone."
Frankie Xie, Media and Publishing Director of the Asia AI Association, who has assisted many startups in Singapore with policy compliance and other processes, pointed out in an interview with the Central News Agency today that establishing a company in Singapore makes international clients feel more secure, because if a startup's intellectual property rights are set up in Singapore, they will be relatively less directly affected by regulations from China or the United States at the same time.
Xie pointed out that in response to the US-China tech rivalry, Singapore's role development further strengthens its goal of becoming "the most AI-driven economy," including encouraging all citizens to learn and use AI, providing AI-related talent visas, and offering tax incentives for intellectual property registration.
The Singaporean government also proposed expanding tax incentives for the "Enterprise Innovation Scheme." Starting from the assessment years 2027 to 2028, companies can enjoy a tax deduction of up to 400% on AI-related expenditures, capped at S$50,000 (approximately NT$1.23 million). One-north will establish an Artificial Intelligence Park (AI Park) to create a physical innovation ecosystem that promotes collaboration among startups, research institutions, and multinational corporations, accelerating the verification of technological concepts and commercialization.
Reuters reported today that Singapore is transforming its role from a gateway between the East and West to a neutral zone for the artificial intelligence industry. Chinese startups hope to operate in an environment with less government oversight, while American companies seek overseas talent to avoid the troubles caused by stricter visa regulations.
The report pointed out that this city-state, long favored for its business-friendly policies and bilingual population, is increasingly seen as a base that can maintain distance from both China and the United States simultaneously. US President Donald Trump, during his first term, brought US-China tech competition to the forefront due to security risks, forcing tech companies to navigate between the measures of both sides, and this situation further intensified in his second term with the spread of AI.
The report also mentioned that in the United States, tech companies also have to deal with reforms to the H-1B visa system for highly skilled talents, which affects the operating models of companies that have long relied on frequent dispatch or recruitment of employees to the US.
However, Chong Ja Ian, a political scientist at the National University of Singapore, mentioned that as the US and Chinese governments increasingly demand their respective tech systems to remain separate, Singapore could be viewed as a grey area for technology transfer, including the flow of talent to new companies, and these activities could still lead to Singapore facing relevant restrictions.
Singapore previously investigated the transshipment of NVIDIA's advanced chips. Local media reported that internal affairs officials stated that the servers involved might have carried chips from Singapore to neighboring Malaysia, urging Malaysia and the United States to provide more information to assist the investigation. (Edited by Tang Sheng-yang) 1150424
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