Political Lens

Vice-premier calls for solid progress in building Hainan Free Trade Port

Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang has called for solid efforts to promote the building of the Hainan Free Trade Port and develop it into a gateway that leads China's opening-up in the new era.

Ding, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during an inspection tour of South China's Hainan province on Monday and Tuesday.

He visited an information facility of social management, airport and harbor ports to learn about the work in preparation for the independent customs operation of the free trade port.

Ding said the independent customs operation will be launched this year, calling for efforts to ensure a smooth, orderly and successful operation.

He also learned about the implementation of duty-free shopping policies and the building of an international tourism consumption center. Hainan should develop new quality productive forces based on local conditions and accelerate the development of a modern industrial system with its own features and advantages, he said.

Ding also urged greater efforts to develop the commercial spaceflight sector and ensure quality education in rural areas.

China, Singapore vow to advance bilateral relations, strengthen cooperation

Vice-President Han Zheng met with Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat on Wednesday in Beijing.

Han said that over the past year, China-Singapore relations have witnessed steady and in-depth development. Noting that China's development has benefited from reform and opening-up, he said that China will remain committed to high-level opening-up and high-quality development.

China is willing to take the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to continue to give full play to the role of bilateral cooperation mechanisms, push for greater development of China-Singapore all-around high-quality future-oriented partnership, and make new contributions to regional and world peace and development, Han said.

Hailing China's development achievements, Heng said that under the current situation, all parties should adhere to opening-up and cooperation and safeguard multilateral mechanisms.

Singapore is willing to continue to actively participate in China's development process and is full of confidence in the development of bilateral relations, Heng said.

Xinhua