Singapore, Chinese foreign ministers hold talks

Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and his Singapore counterpart K.Shanmugam held talks on Monday on bilateral relations, regional cooperation, as well as regional and international issues both care about.

Yang said the momentum in the bilateral relations has been sound, with frequent exchange of visits by the leaders of the two nations. The bilateral cooperation has been proceeding smoothly in fields such as trade and economy, investment, finance, education, culture, defense, law enforcement and human resources.

China will keep on with its efforts to grow the long-term friendly ties and cooperation with Singapore, which it considers an important and special cooperation partner, the Chinese foreign minister said.

Yang called on both sides to work together further boost the exchanges and bilateral cooperation across various fields.

Yang said that China shall continue to support the efforts of Southeast Asian nations to build the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) community, and that it looks forward to working together with the ASEAN member nations, including Singapore, to push for further progress in the China-ASEAN strategic partnership.

The sustained development and prosperity of Asia depend on the common efforts of the countries in the region, the Chinese foreign minister said.

China is willing to boost the exchanges of views and coordination with Singapore, and it is willing to work together with Singapore to push for the continued healthy and steady development of the East Asian cooperation on the right track, Yang said.

The Singapore foreign minister said that his country is willing to boost the exchanges and cooperation with China, and share and draw on the experience of each other in the course of development. It is willing to constantly expand the scope of its pragmatic cooperation with China.

Singapore is also willing to make common efforts together with China to contribute to the regional development and prosperity, he said.

The two foreign ministers also exchanged their views on international and regional issues that both care about.

Yang arrived in Singapore on Monday for a two-day visit. He also met with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs Teo Chee Hean on Monday.