Premier Li Keqiang Holds Talks with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore

2013-08-26 14:00

In the morning of Aug. 26, 2013, Premier Li Keqiang held talks with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore at the Great Hall of the People.

Li Keqiang said that bilateral relations and cooperation have kept the development since the establishment of the diplomatic relationship between China and Singapore, bringing important benefits to both sides. At present, the international and domestic environments for China and Singapore are experiencing new changes. It is necessary for both sides to further deepen cooperation on the basis of mutual trust and mutual benefits. Therefore, we should further consolidate the political foundation of bilateral relations and get understanding and support from the public. Li Keqiang expressed his hope that both sides will strengthen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, carry out communications and coordination in international and regional affairs, understand and respect each other, to promote the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations.

Li Keqiang pointed out that in the past decade, China and ASEAN have always been enhancing mutual trust through dialogues and promoting regional cooperation through the establishment of the free trade area. The bilateral cooperative relations have become a driving force and a pillar for the development and stability of the whole region. China and ASEAN maintaining friendly cooperation will directly benefit 2 billion people, and will also be conducive to the stability and development of the region and the world. The Chinese government under the new leadership will place developing friendly cooperation with ASEAN as the priority of China's relations with neighboring countries, and is willing to further consolidate and deepen strategic partnership with ASEAN, to properly manage historical issues with some of the ASEAN countries and to jointly safeguard China-ASEAN cooperation and development.

Li Keqiang stressed that the Chinese government will never change the determination of adhering to the road of peaceful development and safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity. For the differences among regional countries, we have always advocated that the parties directly concerned to reach solutions through consultations and negotiations. Any action that could complicate or exacerbate the situation is not acceptable. China is willing to continue its efforts in safeguarding peace, stability and development of the region and the world, and hopes that Singapore can also play a constructive role for this.

Lee Hsien Loong said that Singapore attaches great importance to relations with China and is willing to strengthen exchanges and mutual learning with China, to improve the cooperation mechanism, to explore more areas for cooperation, and to build an "upgraded version" of Singapore-China free trade area. ASEAN-China relations are rich in content, with friendly cooperation always as the mainstream. Singapore appreciates China for its support for ASEAN, for its active role in the regional peace, stability and development, and for its support for the parties concerned to peacefully resolve disputes through friendly negotiations. Singapore will make joint efforts with China to bring ASEAN-China relations and regional cooperation up to a new high.

Prior to the talks, Li Keqiang held a welcome ceremony for Lee Hsien Loong at the Square outside the East Gate of the Great Hall of the People. Chen Yuan, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and others were present.