BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping met Singapore Minister of State Lee Hsien Loong in Beijing on Tuesday, calling for greater synergy in development strategies and enhanced cooperation.
Hailing the remarkable achievements made by Singapore during Lee’s tenure as prime minister, Xi praised Lee’s long-term support for China-Singapore cooperation. The two sides established a comprehensive, high-quality and forward-looking partnership last year, setting a strategic path for the development of bilateral relations, Xi said.
Noting that next year will mark the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Singapore, Xi called on the two countries to strengthen high-level exchanges and deepen cooperation in various fields to bring bring greater benefits to both peoples and ensure greater contributions to regional peace and prosperity.
As this year marks the 30th anniversary of the Suzhou Industrial Park, Xi said the park sets a good example of cooperation between the two countries and is also an important witness to Singapore’s deep involvement in reform and opening of China.
China will always focus on managing its own affairs well and is confident in its ability to maintain long-term economic growth and achieve high-quality development, he said, calling on Singapore to continue to be a pioneer in cooperation with China.
He called for making good use of the platform of bilateral cooperation mechanism meetings, carrying out major cooperation projects at a high level, and seizing the opportunities of digital and green development to continue writing a new chapter of the China-Singapore cooperation in the new era.
Stressing the importance of maintaining solidarity, cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, he said China is ready to work with Singapore to practice true multilateralism, safeguard global fairness and justice, resist antagonism, division and group confrontation and building an Asian community with a shared future.
Hailing the strengthening relations between Singapore and China, Lee said the park has become a successful practice and a golden mark of high-quality cooperation between the two countries. It also demonstrated China’s continued reform and opening up to the world.
Singapore is full of confidence in China’s future and believes that China will maintain its prosperity and make greater contributions to world peace and development, Lee said, adding that his country will continue to be committed to deepening its cooperation with China.
He also called for maintaining true multilateralism and remaining committed to unity and cooperation to jointly respond to risks and challenges and better benefit the people.
The two sides also exchanged views on China-US relations, regional situation and other major issues of common concern.
