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)