Singaporean PM begins five-day official visit to Beijing

Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong began his five-day official visit to China on Sunday (Jun 22) at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang. 

On his first visit to China as Prime Minister, Wong will witness both countries commemorate the 35th anniversary of the establishment of Singapore-China diplomatic relations and reaffirm their mutual commitment to strengthening bilateral ties. 

Wong told Li in a meeting on Monday (Jun 23) that he hopes to continue nurturing trust and understanding between the two countries.

"This deep level of trust and understanding cannot be taken for granted. It has to be cultivated, nurtured year after year, generation after generation," said Wong.

Li and Wong also exchanged views on bilateral issues as well as international and regional developments.

Wong will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Chairman of the National People's Congress Zhao Leji, and engage with Singaporeans in Beijing at a reception.

He will also attend the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting of the New Champions ("Summer Davos") and participate in a dialogue session with WEF President Børge Brende in Tianjin.

Singapore is China's fifth-largest trading partner among Southeast Asian countries, and China has been Singapore's largest trading partner for 12 consecutive years. 

Last year, trade between the two countries reached over US$111 billion, marking a 2.6 percent year-on-year increase. 

(Staff reporter, Prime Minister's Office Singapore, CGTN)