Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu said Thursday that the
government had always cherished its friendly ties and cooperation
with Singapore and hopes to develop relations further.
Hui told visiting Singapore Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew that
China was delighted the two countries had maintained good relations
over the years and high-level contacts had promoted mutual
understanding and trust.
Singapore is the largest investor in China among member
countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN).
Hui said China and Singapore had cooperated and coordinated well
in improving China-ASEAN relations and boosting regional
cooperation.
He expressed China's appreciation for Singapore's adherence to
the one-China policy and opposition to "Taiwan independence."
He also thanked Lee for his personal contribution to the
development of China-Singapore ties.
Lee said Singapore was delighted with China's achievements in
recent years and believed that China would overcome the
difficulties and challenges in its development.
He said Singapore was ready to cooperate closely with China to
boost the healthy and stable development of bilateral ties to
achieve common prosperity.
Lee arrived in Beijing Wednesday morning on an eight-day visit
at the invitation of the Chinese government.
(Xinhua News Agency May 12, 2006)
