Chinese President Jiang Zemin and Premier Zhu Rongji sent their congratulatory message Thursday to Singaporean leaders on the occasion of the 36th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Singapore.
President Jiang, in his message to Singaporean President Nathan, said that in the 11 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Singapore, the bilateral relations have achieved a smooth development, and that the two countries have deepened mutually beneficial cooperation, and coordinated well in international and regional affairs.
Strengthening the friendly Sino-Singaporean cooperation is in accord with the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples, and contributes to regional prosperity and stability, Jiang said.
Jiang said he believes that with joint efforts, cooperation between the two countries will develop further in a more comprehensive manner in the new century.
Jiang said he is looking forward to President Nathan's state visit to China this September.
Premier Zhu Rongji said in his message to his Singaporean counterpart Goh Chok Tong that he would like to make efforts in line with the spirit of the joint statement on bilateral cooperation published last year to push Sino-Singaporean ties to a higher stage.
Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan also sent a message to Singaporean Foreign Minister Shunmugam Jayakumar on the occasion.
(Xinhua News Agency 08/09/2001)
