Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong meeting China’s President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People on March 31, 2023. - MCI
BEIJING (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): The “exemplary” relationship between China and Singapore sets a benchmark and serves as a model for countries in the region, China’s President Xi Jinping told Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong as the two met in the Great Hall of the People again after four years.
Noting that Lee is one of the most frequent visitors to China among foreign leaders, Xi was warm in his remarks about Singapore.
That China invited Lee to visit so shortly after installing a new government during the recent parliament or lianghui session is a clear indication that China has always prioritised Singapore in its regional diplomacy, reflecting the special and close friendship between both countries, said Xi.
The two leaders met on Friday (March 31) in Beijing, the third and final leg of Lee’s official visit to China. The last time he was here was in 2019 for the Belt and Road Forum. Then, he also met President Xi at the Great Hall. The two met again last November in Bangkok.
In turn, Lee said he was glad to be able to visit China again, which he tries to visit every year. Since he was last here in 2019, there have been many developments, he noted.
“I’m glad to have the chance to come and meet old friends and make new ones and to catch up with the latest developments.”
Acknowledging that the pandemic had been a difficult period for all, Mr Lee noted that Singapore and China have continued to work together and supported each other, and the relationship has only grown stronger.
He said he was happy to read of China’s emphasis on economic growth and resilience, which was a key message during the lianghui, and added that he is confident China’s economy will continue to strengthen.
“Many countries including Singapore are very keen to enhance economic ties with China. And I hope that my visit will inject fresh momentum for bilateral cooperation and high-level exchanges between us,” he said.
Xi said that China’s economy will continue to prosper, and act as a stabilising force in current global conditions and be an engine of growth for the world’s economic recovery.
He pledged to share this “strategic opportunity” with countries that are its partners, while also describing China’s relationship with Singapore as “forward-looking, strategic and exemplary”.
He said he was willing to work with Lee to draft a blueprint for developing relations of the two countries, and continue promoting collaboration in various domains.
Lee will meet newly-minted premier Li Qiang on Saturday and the two are expected to announce an upgrading of their bilateral relationship.
