Singapore, China vow to bolster ties

China and Singapore vowed on Monday to enhance bilateral ties, expand third-market cooperation, safeguard the multilateral trading system, and uphold unimpeded global industrial and supply chains.

Premier Li Qiang and visiting Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong made the pledge during their talks in Beijing.

Li said China and Singapore are friendly neighbors and important partners. Since establishment of diplomatic relations, bilateral ties have improved continuously, and practical cooperation has yielded fruitful results, he said.

Li expressed China's willingness to maintain close high-level exchanges with Singapore, strengthen strategic communication, consolidate political mutual trust, and deliver more fruitful results from bilateral relations and cooperation.

He underlined the need to make good use of cooperation mechanisms, implement cooperation plans under the Belt and Road Initiative, and further strengthen flagship cooperative projects.

He called on both nations to expand volume of bilateral trade and investment, create more highlights while cooperating in the fields of the digital economy and AI, expand third-market collaboration, and enhance people-to-people exchanges.

Noting that China and Singapore are beneficiaries and defenders of economic globalization and free trade, Li said they should adhere to open regionalism and true multilateralism, promote trade and investment liberalization and maintain the stability and smooth operation of industrial and supply chains.

Li expressed China's commitment to working with Singapore and other member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to push for the signing and implementation of the Upgrade Protocol for the Version 3.0 of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, implement the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement with high quality, and accelerate regional economic integration.

Wong's five-day visit starting on Sunday marks his first official visit to China since he took office as Singaporean prime minister in May. He is also expected to meet with President Xi Jinping.

Wong told Li that the relationship between Singapore and China is enduring and growing stronger.

Singapore looks forward to seizing the opportunity of the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year to enhance high-level exchanges and cooperation with China in various fields, deepen their friendship and mutual trust, further expand third-market cooperation, and promote closer people-to-people exchanges, he said.

Wong expressed his country's confidence about the Chinese economy, saying that Singapore is willing to strengthen multilateral communication and coordination with China to uphold free trade.

After their meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signing of cooperation documents on talent development, intellectual property and other areas.

Wong will attend the 16th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, known as the Summer Davos, in Tianjin from Tuesday to Thursday.

Li will attend the opening plenary and deliver a special address, meet foreign guests and converse with representatives of the foreign business community.

More than 1,700 representatives from over 90 countries and regions will be taking part in this year's event.

Zhao Jia contributed to this story.