Singapore confident in China's development

SINGAPORE - Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Friday that his country is full of confidence in China's development and reaffirmed that China's economic transformation has brought new opportunities for boosting bilateral relations.

In a meeting with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Lee said that it is important for both Singapore and China to keep expanding cooperation in accordance with their respective need and level of development.

Singapore is willing to help deepen the strategic partnership between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China, as the ASEAN is working on establishing an ASEAN Community and accelerating regional integration, he added.

Wang said China and Singapore have achieved major progress in cooperation in some key projects such as the China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park, Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-city and Sino- Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City.

The win-win results in these major cooperation projects demonstrated the unique vision of leaders of both countries in looking into the future and proved to be a good example of China- Singapore relations, Wang said.

Based on the sound foundation, Wang said, the Chinese government is ready to work with the Singapore government to forge an "upgraded version" of China-Singapore relations in the new era.

To achieve the goal, the two countries should strengthen the mutually beneficial cooperation in ecological protection, science and technology, social management and other areas, while exploring to build a regional financing platform for further financial cooperation, conducting exchange in the fields of defense and security, and enhancing coordination in international and regional affairs, said Wang.

China will also work with Singapore to expand the China-ASEAN strategic partnership, which was established 10 years ago, and promote cooperation in increasing connectivity, handling maritime affairs and building a regional comprehensive economic partnership, he added.

Also on Friday, Wang met on separate occasions with Singapore's former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, and Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs Teo Chee Hean, and held talks with his Singapore counterpart K Shanmugam.

Wang said the Chinese government will adhere to the road of peaceful development, the win-win strategy of opening-up, and the policy to promote friendship and partnership with its neighbors, and put developing relations with its neighboring countries as the top priority of its diplomatic work.

China takes Singapore as a major cooperation partner and is willing to promote the development of bilateral relations, he added.

The Singapore side reiterated that China's peaceful development complies with the common interests of China and ASEAN countries including Singapore, and Singapore is willing to work with China to boost cooperation in political, economic, social and cultural fields.