Xi Jinping calls on China, Singapore to expand cooperation in AI, green development

Chinese President Xi Jinping called on China and Singapore to expand cooperation in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence and green development as he held a meeting with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on the sidelines of the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in the Peruvian capital city of Lima on Friday.

The bilateral relationship has continuously developed, setting an example of mutual benefit, win-win cooperation and joint development between nations, Xi said. 

China is willing to work with Singapore to firmly uphold the overall direction of friendship, strengthen high-level exchanges, maintain mutual trust and candor, respect each other's core interests and continue to progress together on the path of modernization, opening a new chapter of high-quality development, he added.

Noting that Singapore was an early and active participant in China's reform and opening-up process, Xi said he welcomes Singapore to seize new opportunities arising from China's development and to continue advancing projects such as the Suzhou Industrial Park, Tianjin Eco-City, Chongqing Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity and Guangzhou Knowledge City. 

Facing unprecedented global changes, China is willing to strengthen collaboration with Singapore in multilateral platforms such as the United Nations and APEC to jointly promote a multipolar world characterized by equality and order, as well as inclusive and mutually beneficial economic globalization, the Chinese president said.

Wong said high-level exchanges between Singapore and China are close, and the countries' economic relations continue to show robust growth.

The Singapore-China relationship is based on mutual respect and trust and is mutually beneficial, Wong said, adding that Singapore fully understands the Chinese government's stance on the Taiwan question, opposes any form of "Taiwan independence," and firmly adheres to the one-China principle. 

He said Singapore has unwavering confidence in China's economic prospects and looks forward to further participating in China's modernization process. 

Taking next year's 35th anniversary of diplomatic ties as an opportunity, Singapore aims to open a new chapter in their comprehensive, high-quality, forward-looking partnership, Wong added. 

Singapore is also willing to enhance collaboration with China in multilateral forums such as ASEAN and APEC, oppose protectionism, promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, and safeguard regional stability and development, he said.