Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong met Chinese Premier Li Keqiang for a bilateral meeting at the Istana on Nov 12, 2018 (Source: https://www.straitstimes.com)Hanoi (VNA) - Singapore and China signed 11 memoranda ofunderstanding (MoU) on bilateral cooperation on November 12 within the framework of theongoing visit by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.
The MoUs covers the fields of bilateral cooperation such as trade, fintech,culture, the environment and urban area development.
In addition to MoU signing, the two sides upgraded the China-Singapore freetrade agreement (CSFTA), making Singapore’s products to China easier andincreasing investment protection. Changes were also made to measures to boost trade, tariff procedures, thesettlement of some new issues like environmental protection, e-commerce andcompetitiveness.
During the visit, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Prime Minister of Singapore LeeHsien Loong had talks, during which they agreed to increase joint efforts inbuilding a new land-sea route to boost connectivity between the two countriesand in the region.
The Chinese Premier affirmed China supports the central role of ASEAN in regioneconomic cooperation, and is willing to intensify cooperation with the bloc, towards finalising negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive EconomicPartnership (RCEP) soon.
China is willing to work with regional countries to accelerate consultations onthe Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) and join hands in maintaining peaceand stability in the waters.
PM Lee Hsien Loong, for his part, said as ASEAN Chair 2018, Singapore is readyto promote the ASEAN – China relations and accelerate the COC consultationprocess.
Li Keqiang is on his first visit to Singapore as the Chinese Premier and will attend events within the framework of the 33rd ASEAN Summit, which takes place on November 12 – 15. He will leave Singapore on November 16. - VNA
VNA
