Singapore-Malaysia Ties: Relations between neighboring nations improved after disputes

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Ties between Singapore and Malaysia have significantly improved over the years. But like other countries and their allies, the two neighbors have also had some rough patches. CGTN's Chuck Tinte has more.

Singapore and Malaysia enjoy close bilateral ties. But this wasn't always the case.

The two neighbors underwent a period of frosty relations during Mahathir Mohamad's first term as prime minister from 1981 to 2003. Some of the issues include a dispute over the price Singapore was paying for water supplies from Malaysia.

Disagreements over air space and the status of railway land owned by Malaysia in Singapore. The two countries also fought over a tiny uninhabited island called Pedra Branca. But now, ties have significantly improved and Malaysia's deputy prime minister-designate expressed high hopes as she met with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Saturday.

WAN AZIZAH WAN ISMAIL MALAYSIAN DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER-DESIGNATE "we want to stress on bilateral relations to increase and improve, and have better relations especially we are neighbors in the region."

Every year, the two countries hold Singapore-Malaysia Leaders' Retreat for talks on bilateral relations. Singapore remains Malaysia's largest trading partner with imports and exports estimated at 28-billion US dollars in 2015.

A number of deals have also been struck, including cooperation agreements in the areas of tourism, education and security.

A high-speed rail line between the two neighboring nations is scheduled to open in 2026. Chuck Tinte, CGTN.