Hu arrived in Singapore yesterday morning for a two-day official visit. He held separate meetings with Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, President S. R. Nathan and Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew.
During the meeting with Prime Minister Goh, Hu put forward a four-point proposal for bilateral cooperation.
The two countries should continue to conduct exchanges and cooperation in the training of professionals.
Goh agreed with Hu's proposals and suggested that the relevant departments gradually implement them.
On regional cooperation, Hu said that the development momentum of East Asian cooperation is very good. He said cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (10+3) has become a major channel for East Asian cooperation.
Hu suggested that these countries should strengthen their cooperation in economics, trade, finance and social development to promote the integration of the regional economy and increase the competitiveness of East Asian nations.
China proposed the establishment of a China-ASEAN free-trade zone within 10 years. "This will be a mutually beneficial and win-win mechanism," a Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman quoted Hu as saying at the meeting.
Hu expressed his appreciation for Singapore's positive efforts toward pushing forward East Asian cooperation.
Goh said that the proposed China-ASEAN free-trade zone would be of great significance and would benefit all the countries in East Asia. Singapore is willing to join hands with other ASEAN countries as well as China to gradually realize the proposal, Goh added.
During Hu's separate meetings with President Nathan and Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew, the leaders exchanged views on the development of bilateral relations, the situation in the Middle East and the fight against terrorism.
(China Daily April 27, 2002)
