Singapore PM meets with Chinese security official

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (R) meets with Meng Jianzhu, head of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and a special envoy of Chinese President Xi Jinping, in Singapore, on Feb. 10, 2015. (Xinhua/Then Chih Wey)

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong met with top Chinese security official Meng Jianzhu here on Tuesday.

Meng, head of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and a special envoy of Chinese President Xi Jinping, conveyed cordial greetings from President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang.

Meng said this year marks the 25 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and China is willing to work with Singapore to boost economic cooperation, deepen collaboration in social governance and promote the third government-to-government project.

Noting that Singapore will host as the coordinator between China and ASEAN this year, Meng said China is willing to strengthen cooperation and communication with Singapore to make further progress in China-ASEAN relationship.

Talking about law enforcement and security cooperation, Meng said collaboration between the two countries have been steadily progressed in recent years, and have created a safe environment to enhance trade and personnel exchanges.

He said China is willing to strengthen pragmatic cooperation with Singapore in multiple areas such as drug control, cyber security, multinational pursuit of criminals and mutual legal assistance and to lift law enforcement collaboration to a new level.

Lee asked Meng to convey his wishes to Chinese President Xi and Chinese Premier Li. He said there lies great cooperation potential between Singapore and China and expressed willingness to further boost collaboration in sectors of trade, finance, tourism, social governance as well as law enforcement.

He said Singapore will accelerates the third government-to- government project and enhance mutual trust and exchanges between ASEAN and China.

Meng, during his Singapore tour, also met with Teo Chee Hean, Singapore's deputy prime minister and coordinating minister for national security and minister for home affairs.