2011-05-16 22:52

Singapore's Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew (R) meets with visiting Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Liang Guanglie in Singapore on Monday. [Photo/Xinhua]

SINGAPORE - Singapore's Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew met with visiting Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Liang Guanglie here on Monday.

They had frank discussions on bilateral relations and issues of common concern.

Lee said that Singapore is happy to see the sound development of bilateral relations and the cooperation in fields such as trade and economy, education and culture, and that Liang's visit will help push forward the relations between the militaries.

Going forward, Singapore is hoping for the two sides to boost their cooperation including that in defense, he said.

Lee spoke highly of what China's achievements made in its modernization efforts through reform and opening up to the outside, saying that China has helped drive world and regional economy.

Lee reiterated that Singapore will adhere, as always, to the one-China policy.    

Liang said China and Singapore have close relations and productive cooperation. China appreciates Singapore adhering to the one-China policy and is hoping that Singapore continue to lend its support to China's reunification efforts and play an active role in the promotion of development of cross-strait ties.

Liang said that China saw great potentials in the friendly cooperation between China and Singapore, and that it is willing to work with Singapore to boost the bilateral friendship and defense relations.

Liang is visiting Singapore at the invitation of Singapore Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Teo Chee Hean. Separately, he also met with Teo and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Monday.

Singapore is the first leg of Liang's Southeast Asian tour that will also take him to Indonesia and the Philippines.