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Chinese VP meets Singaporean Senior Minister

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-04-09 17:22

BOAO, Hainan - Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping met Friday with Singaporean Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong in Boao, a coastal resort in south China's Hainan province. Goh is in China to attend the annual Boao Forum for Asia (BFA), and he was elected a member of board of directors of the forum.

Xi congratulated Goh, saying the newly-elected members of the board would increase the forum's influence in the region and the world, and he believed that, with the efforts of the new board, the forum would play a bigger role in promoting Asian cooperation and enhancing mutual understanding and cooperation between Asia and other parts of the world.

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Goh said he was honored to be elected a member, and he would endeavor to make the forum a dialogue representing Asia, emerging economies and developing countries.

Xi also spoke positively of the smooth development of China-Singapore relations, saying Singapore was one of the earliest participants in and supporters of China's opening up policy. China also learnt a lot from Singapore in reform and opening up to the outside.

"This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of China-Singapore ties. China will take it as an opportunity to raise bilateral relations to a new high," Xi said.

He said China would also strengthen coordination and cooperation with Singapore on international and regional affairs, so as to contribute to Asia's prosperity and development.

Goh said Singapore and China had witnessed rapid development of their relationship in the last 20 years, with close contacts by state leaders, increasing bilateral trade and expanding cultural cooperation. The two countries would have closer ties in the future.

The 2010 meeting of the BFA, from April 9 to 11, is focused on Asia's green and sustainable development in the post-economic crisis period.

Former Japanese Prime Minister Fukuda Yasuo was elected chairman of the board of directors. Former Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi and former US Secretary of State Colin Powell were also elected members of the board.