China and Singapore are looking to strengthen bilateral and strategic relations
Chinese President Xi Jinping affirmed that the bilateral relations between his country and Singapore are forward-looking, strategic and exemplary, and give a strong impetus to the development and rejuvenation of the two countries, and set a reference standard for the countries of the region in building their relations, praising the two countries as important cooperation partners for each other.
This came during his meeting in Beijing, Friday, with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, according to the Chinese news agency (Xinhua).
Xi said that during the Singaporean prime minister's visit to Beijing, the two countries elevated bilateral relations to the level of a high-quality, future-oriented comprehensive partnership, and thus the two countries charted the course for the future development of bilateral relations, stressing that China is willing to strengthen strategic communication with the Singaporean side, deepen strategic alignment, He made "high quality" the hallmark of China-Singapore cooperation.
He pointed out that among Southeast Asian countries, Singapore is the country most involved in China's reform and opening up, and its interests are the most integrated with China, stressing that China is ready to share important opportunities with Singapore and other countries that wish to cooperate with it.
The Chinese president said his country is ready to work with Singapore to make good use of the bilateral cooperation mechanism meetings, promote the construction of a new international land-sea trade corridor, deepen cooperation in digital and green development and cooperation with third parties, and properly advance cross-border travel.
Over the years, he added, Asia has maintained a sound momentum of overall peace and stability, rapid development, and comprehensive improvement. And that, through hard work and wisdom, the countries of the region have embarked on a development path with Asian characteristics that is characterized by independence, mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit, openness and inclusiveness, and win-win cooperation.
He pointed out that in light of the rapid changes in the world, which have not been witnessed in a century, Asian countries should cherish and maintain the sound development momentum that has been achieved with great efforts in the region, and jointly protect the gains of peace in the region, and maintain the correct direction of In economic globalization and regional economic integration, it resolutely opposes bullying, disengagement, or cutting off industrial and supply chains... stressing that "no country should be allowed to deprive the people of Asia of their right to seek a better and happier life."
For his part, the Singaporean prime minister expressed his strong confidence in the resilience of the Chinese economy, and said he was convinced that the Chinese economy would continue to grow in a healthy manner. He said Singapore and other neighboring countries look forward to further deepening economic cooperation with China.
Lee said that the Singaporean side looks forward to working with the new Chinese government as soon as possible to enhance cooperation on major projects such as connectivity, and seize the opportunity to complete the negotiations on upgrading the Singapore-China Free Trade Agreement to send a clear message of China's continued opening-up and Singapore's commitment to further deepening. Cooperation with China, noting that almost all countries recognize that there is only one China in the world, and have developed friendly and cooperative relations with China on the basis of the one-China policy.
The Singaporean Prime Minister stressed that the issue of Taiwan is China's internal affair, and that promoting the idea of ​​"Ukraine today and Taiwan tomorrow" will lead to unpredictable consequences.
The two sides also exchanged views in depth on relations between major countries and international and regional issues of common concern.
