Xi meets Singaporean prime minister

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) shakes hands with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong during their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 9, 2014. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

President Xi Jinping met with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Sunday, calling for Singapore's participation in two regional economic cooperation initiatives.

Xi said cooperation between the two countries is exemplary for cooperation between China and other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

China-Singapore cooperation is strategic and forward-looking, and should be pushed forward in line with the principle of mutual trust, mutual benefit and mutual assistance, Xi said.

China supports Singapore's role as coordinator between China and the ASEAN in 2015, and is ready to work together with Singapore to push forward the "Silk Road Economic Belt" and the "21st Century Maritime Silk Road" initiatives, Xi said.

Xi also called for concerted efforts from all related economies to build the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

He hoped that the ASEAN can work hand in hand with China to establish "a closer community of common destiny" between the two sides.

Lee said Singapore pushes forward its cooperation with China in a more active manner, with farsighted considerations and in correspondence with China's Silk Road initiatives in an era of accelerating regional integration.

Singapore will make efforts to do good work in building the free trade zone with China, and will take an active part in China's west development program, Lee said.

He said Singapore supports the AIIB, which is a good complement to the existing multilateral development institutions.

Lee arrived in Beijing on Sunday to attend the 22nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting slated for Nov. 10-11..[Special coverage]