FM holds discussion with Singaporean counterpart

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse on Friday to further deepen all-around cooperation between the two sides.

Balakrishnan is accompanying President Halimah Yacob of Singapore to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games.

Wang welcomed Halimah's attendance of the Games, which would open as scheduled. He hailed the Games as a grand event for both Asia and the world, which would bring confidence and joy to people around the world amidst the pandemic.

Wang noted there were governmental representatives from 66 countries and regions attending the opening ceremony, which demonstrated their support for the Olympic spirit and China's hosting of the Games. He added he believed the Games would achieve a complete success.

Wang said China appreciated Singapore's understanding and supporting the country's process of reform and opening-up, and constantly opening new areas of cooperation with China.

Long-term stable and sound bilateral relations and increasing deepening practical cooperation are not only beneficial to the respective development and revitalization of the two countries, but also play an exemplary and leading role in state-to-state relations, he added.

Wang vowed China would make joint efforts with Singapore to enhance bilateral relations and achieve common development and prosperity at a higher level.

Balakrishnan said he attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympic Games and was honored to witness Beijing becoming a "dual Olympic city."

He added he thought highly of China's achievements of development and firmly believed China would achieve its Second Centenary Goal as scheduled.

Singapore highly appreciated and actively participated in the Belt and Road Initiative, he said, adding his country was ready to work with China to advance the construction of the New Land-Sea Corridor and bolster cooperation in numerous areas, such as the digital economy and green development.

Balakrishnan also said Singapore welcomed China to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and Digital Economy Partnership Agreement.

Singapore looked forward to resuming high-level visits between the two countries at an early date when the pandemic is under control, he added.

Both sides discussed the South China Sea. Wang emphasized this year marks the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. China would work with ASEAN countries to enhance mutual trust and remove interference to jointly safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea, he added.

On the Myanmar issue, Wang said China always supported the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to maintain unity and properly resolve Myanmar-related questions through the "ASEAN approach", adding China always supported ASEAN's centrality.

They also exchanged ideas on the situation in the Asia and Pacific region and Sino-US relations.