Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 26, 2013. (Photo: thesantosrepublic.com/Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)

by Lady Michelle-Jennifer Santos, Chief Visionary Founder & Owner

August 26, 2013 (TSR) – Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called for mutual trust, understanding and support from the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) on China’s major concerns while the country firmly continues on the path of peaceful development and contribute to mutual prosperity and harmony around the world during a meeting with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in Beijing.

Lee is on an official visit to China from Sunday till Saturday at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, Xinhua reports.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 26, 2013. (Photo: thesantosrepublic.com/Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)
Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 26, 2013. (Photo: thesantosrepublic.com/Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)

China attaches great importance to the development of friendly cooperation with Singapore, said Xi.

He also called on both sides to increase political mutual trust, coordinate their development strategies and deepen cooperation in economic and trade, finance, culture and social management, so as to promote the stable and healthy development of bilateral ties.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the strategic partnership between China and the ASEAN.

Mutual respect, understanding and support are the most precious wealth in the China-ASEAN relations, Xi said, noting that China will stick firmly to the path of peaceful development.

The president said China will continue to foster good-neighborliness and partnership with ASEAN countries to consolidate the strategic partnership.

“Countries should focus on deepening cooperation as well as common development, and try to create a regional environment of peace, stability, equality, mutual respect and win-win,” the Chinese President noting that the international financial crisis is the biggest challenge facing East Asia.

Singapore and China share broad common interests. Singapore takes a positive view of China and believes that China’s development is an important opportunity for ASEAN and the region.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Lee affirmed that his country will firmly pursue a friendly policy toward China and continue to participate in China’s development and construction.

He also said Singapore will further give play to the role of the China-Singapore Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation and expand cooperation with China in finance, sustainable development and economic transformation.

“China is an important dialogue partner for ASEAN and ASEAN is willing to enhance friendly relations with China,” Lee said.

Singapore is ready to play a positive role in boosting ASEAN-China ties and jointly promote peace, stability and prosperity in the region, said the prime minister.

“China is dedicated to the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation”, said Xi.

“We will continue to deepen its reform and opening up policy and speed up the transformation of economic development mode, ” he emphasised.

“China has the confidence to maintain healthy economic development and is willing to cooperate with countries around the world to achieve common development,” China’s president added.

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