Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at a conference in Singapore on August 3. (Photo: Xinhua/Then Chih Wey) China and Singapore pledged to further bilateral collaboration during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s meetings with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his counterpart K Shanmugam on August 3 as part of his visit to the city state.
The Singaporean Prime Minister spoke highly of bilateral relations, expressing his hope that the two nations will maintain the development of their ties and further cooperation in fields of mutual benefit.
Singapore is willing to join hands with China to foster government-to-government projects, he added.
On his part, the Chinese FM delivered congratulations to Singapore on the nation’s 50th anniversary of independence, saying that China-Singapore cooperation has been a spearhead among China’s relations with ASEAN members, especially when the two nations are celebrating the 25th anniversary of diplomatic ties.
During their meeting, Wang and his Singaporean counterpart, K Shanmugam, discussed measures to upgrade bilateral free trade agreement (FTA).
As Singapore becomes the coordinator of China-ASEAN relations for the next three years, Wang said he believes that it will serve as a catalyst to lift up China-Singapore and China-ASEAN relations, opening fresh opportunities for development, the Chinese diplomat said.
In addition, the two ministers held in-depth discussions of international and regional issues of mutual concern, including the East Sea issue.
Wang’s visit to Singapore came before the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, which was scheduled to open in Kuala Lumpur on August 4.-VNA
