China ready to partner with Singapore on modernization: Premier Li

Chinese Premier Li Qiang said on Friday that China is ready to work with Singapore to jointly advance their respective modernization processes.

Li made the remarks during his meeting with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on the sidelines of the leaders' meetings on East Asia cooperation held in Vientiane.

Li noted that China and Singapore have long maintained close and high-level exchanges, with the leaders of both countries exchanging in-depth views on strategic issues related to their long-term interests and discussing development plans.

"This is a unique advantage and important guarantee for China and Singapore to promote the development of bilateral relations," Li said, adding that China is willing to continue this tradition with Singapore, strengthen strategic communication and coordination, support each other in safeguarding core interests, build a solid foundation of political mutual trust, and ensure the correct direction of bilateral relations.

Li also emphasized that both countries are at a critical stage of development, and with the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations approaching next year, China is eager to enhance development synergy with Singapore, capitalize on complementary strengths, and guide their all-around cooperation in a high-quality and forward-looking manner.

He called for stronger economic and trade ties, the exploration of more converging interests, and expanded cooperation in advanced areas such as manufacturing, the digital economy and artificial intelligence. Li also suggested deepening exchanges in education, culture, tourism, youth, and at the sub-national level to further promote common development.

China is ready to strengthen multilateral coordination and cooperation with Singapore, adhere to openness and inclusiveness, promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, accelerate regional economic integration, and jointly safeguard peace and stability in Asia, he said.

Wong stated that Singapore-China relations are progressing well, with cooperation in various fields making considerable advances, aligning with the goal of a high-quality, future-oriented partnership between the two countries.

Singapore firmly upholds the one-China policy, opposes "Taiwan independence," and will not be used by any "Taiwan independence" forces, Wong said. He added that Singapore is committed to maintaining high-level exchanges with China, continuously enhancing mutual trust, promoting cooperation in areas such as the economy, digital economy and third-party markets, and strengthening people-to-people exchanges.

Wong also reiterated Singapore's support for China's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA). He expressed willingness to maintain communication and coordination with China on international multilateral affairs, jointly oppose protectionism, and contribute to promoting regional peace, stability and prosperity.