SINGAPORE, Jun 11 (NNN-CNA) – Singapore Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong, yesterday met here with visiting Chinese State Councillor and Minister of National Defence, Wei Fenghe.
Wei, who arrived here on Wednesday, is on an official visit to Singapore, where he will attend the 19th Shangri-La Dialogue, held here from Friday till tomorrow (Sunday), after a two-year suspension of the meeting, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
During their meeting, Lee noted that the uniquely-defined Singapore-China all-round cooperative partnership, progressing with the times, highlights the distinctiveness and high level of relations between the two countries.
He urged joint efforts, to continue strengthening bilateral pragmatic cooperation in the fight against COVID-19, economy and trade, and to maintain the sound momentum of the constant development of bilateral ties.
New changes are taking place in the world and the Asia-Pacific, Lee said, expressing hope that regional countries will strengthen communication and increase mutual trust to jointly add positive factors to regional peace and stability.
Wei said, China-Singapore relations have developed continuously under the strategic guidance of Chinese President, Xi Jinping and Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong, which have played a leading and exemplary role in the Asia-Pacific region.
Faced with changes and a pandemic, both unseen in a century, he said, China and Singapore should continue to deepen strategic mutual trust, expand the convergence of interests, and support each other on issues concerning their core interests and major concern, so as to inject positive energy into safeguarding regional peace and stability.
Wei said, the two militaries have enjoyed a stable development of relations over recent years, and they should continue to enhance high-level exchanges and practical cooperation, so as to constantly push forward the ties between the two militaries.
On Thursday, Wei held talks with Singapore Defence Minister, Ng Eng Hen, during which they exchanged views on the international and regional situation, the South China Sea, and the Ukraine crisis, among other issues.– NNN-CNA
