Chi President meets Singapore PM on bilateral ties

Beijing, Sept 2: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday met Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, calling for mutual understanding and respect on issues related to the two countries’ core interests and major concerns. Chi and Singapore forged a partnership of all-round cooperation keeping with the times last year during Xi’s state visit to the southeast Asian city-state, Xinhua news agency reported. Noting the importance of top-level design of bilateral ties, Xi proposed that high-level exchanges be maintained and communication with Singapore strengthened. Chi pays great attention to Singapore’s interest in the Belt and Road Initiative, said Xi, adding that Chi is ready to build the Chi-Singapore Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity in southwest Chi’s Chongqing Municipality into a highlight of bilateral ties. The Chinese President also called for the advancement of two flagship government-to-government cooperative projects, mely the Suzhou Industrial Park established in 1994 in Chi’s Jiangsu province, and the Tianjin Eco-city iugurated in 2008 in country’s port city of Tianjin.

The two countries should deepen cooperation in areas of fince, the Internet, social magement, law enforcement security, counter-terrorism and anti-corruption, said Xi.

Xi expects Singapore, as the coorditor for Chi-Asean relations, to push forward the healthy and stable development of bilateral ties. For his part, Lee spoke highly of the smooth progress of bilateral cooperation in all areas under the guidance of a partnership of all-round cooperation. Lee is here to attend the G20 Hangzhou summit from September 4-5.  (IANS)