Chinese President Hu Jintao met with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in the Great Hall of the People

On October 26, 2005, Chinese President Hu Jintao met with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in the Great Hall of the People.

Hu noted that over the past 15 years since the establishment of China-Singapore diplomatic ties the bilateral relations have maintained healthy and rapid development. The two sides respect and treat each other as equals consistently, handle the major issues of common concern properly and push forward the bilateral relations in the right direction following the five principles of peaceful coexistence. The two countries complement each other with their respective advantages and enjoy mutual benefit and a win-win outcome. China and Singapore share strong economic complementarities. To conduct the mutually beneficial cooperation is in the fundamental interest of the two peoples, which has become a major driving force behind the development of bilateral ties. Both sides adhere to regional cooperation to seek common development. The organic combination of bilateral cooperation between China and Singapore and regional cooperation not only broadens the cooperative areas and enriches the connotation of bilateral ties but also helps promote regional peace, stability, prosperity and development. Hu said that this year marks the 15th anniversary of the establishment of China-Singapore diplomatic ties and China is ready to take this opportunity to work with Singapore in carrying on the successful experience of bilateral relations and pushing the bilateral friendly and mutually beneficial relations of cooperation to a new level.

Talking about regional cooperation in East Asia, Hu indicated that China and ASEAN are good neighbors, friends and partners. We expect to strengthen exchanges and enhance collaboration with ASEAN member countries in a bid to accelerating the construction of China-ASEAN Free Trade Area and regional cooperation in East Asia. China attaches importance to the first East Asian Summit to be held in December this year, respects the common consensus reached by ASEAN, supports the leading role of ASEAN and expects to play an active part for the success of the Summit.

Lee said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties between Singapore and China the bilateral relations have made great headways with increasingly deepened bilateral exchanges and cooperation in such areas as economy and trade, culture and education. Against the background of dynamic growth of the Chinese economy and enhanced momentum of regional cooperation, to reinforce Singapore-China and the multilateral cooperation is compliant with the interest of both countries and conducive to regional stability and development as well. Singapore expects to make joint efforts with China to constantly push forward the bilateral relations and further stimulate the cooperation between ASEAN and China and the regional cooperation in East Asia.