Wu Bangguo Meets with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong Friday,July 01,2005 Posted: 00:25 BJT(1625 GMT)  Ministry of Commece Thursday,June 30,2005 Posted: 10:15 BJT(0215 GMT) http://www.fmprc.gov.cn On the afternoon of May 18, 2005, Chairman Wu Bangguo of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), who was paying an official friendly visit to Singapore, met in the Presidential Residence with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Both sides exchanged full opinions on China-Singapore relations and other issues of common concern and reached important consensus. Lee first of all extended welcome to Wu Bangguo, saying that he noticed the speech of Chairman Wu at the China- Singapore Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum on the morning and agreed with Wu's opinions. Over more than 10 years Singapore, China and the regional situation have all experienced profound changes. Singapore-China relations develop fast and the bilateral cooperation in multiple fields has made fruitful achievements, especially the dynamic cooperation between businesses of the two countries. To deepen Singapore-China cooperation will lead to a mutually-beneficial and win-win result. Wu agreed with Lee's comments on the bilateral relations, noting that practice shows that political mutual trust is an important foundation for the development of bilateral relations and the mutually beneficial cooperation is a strong driving force behind the progress of bilateral ties. The purpose of his visit to Singapore is to promote the all-round development of China-Singapore relations. To put it specifically, first, to maintain the momentum of the high-level exchanges between the leaders of the two countries, constantly build up mutual trust and expand common consensus; second, to further strengthen the relations between the NPC and the Singaporean parliament and enhance exchanges and cooperation at all levels; third, to stimulate the exchanges and cooperation between the businesses of the two countries through China-Singapore Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum, seek new growth points of economic and trade cooperation and raise bilateral economic and trade ties to a new level; fourth, to consolidate consultations and collaboration in both regional and international affairs. Singapore is an important member state of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China and Singapore have built up sound cooperation basis under the 10+1 and 10+3 multilateral mechanisms. Both countries should continue to forge coordination and cooperation to promote the regional peace and prosperity. It is believed that with the joint efforts of both sides China-Singapore mutually beneficial cooperative relations will move ahead steadily. Lee indicated that the cooperation between Singapore and China in many fields could indeed be further strengthened, which is also the intention of both sides to establish the joint committee mechanism. He extended invitation to related Chinese personnel to visit the partner organizations in Singapore and jointly discuss how to deepen the cooperation. He is looking forward to his upcoming visit to China in October and hopes to have the opportunity to visit Northeast China. Wu said that although his visit to Singapore is short, fruitful results have been achieved. Yesterday he held talks with Speaker of Parliament Abdullah, today met with President Nathan and just now conducted friendly discussions with Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew. He is deeply impressed by the strong aspiration of both sides to deepen the mutually beneficial cooperation and the wide consensus on many issues. The visit has realized the expected goals and he feels satisfactory with the results achieved by his visit. Vice Chairman Re Di of the Standing Committee of NPC was present at the meeting. On the evening Chairman Wu and his wife Zhang Ruizhen attended the State Banquet hosted by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his wife.

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