Photo: VCG

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong held a phone conversation on Friday, in which Lee said he welcomes and supports China's bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), as it would be beneficial for regional development.

As close neighbors and partners, China and Singapore understand and trust each other politically, and the two sides advance with the times via cooperation and learn from each other through exchanges, Xi said on the phone.

Facing the COVID-19 pandemic, the two countries stood by each other to overcome difficulties and carried forward bilateral cooperation despite difficulties, which has demonstrated the vitality and resilience of the ties between the two sides, Xi said.

Xi pointed out the two sides should give priority to people's well-being and regional prosperity, and should focus on post-COVID-19 development together, as the two sides have stood at a new point in their economic development and bilateral ties.

Xi said that China is willing to maintain high-level exchanges and strategic communication with Singapore, such as resuming personnel exchanges in an orderly manner and deepening cooperation on vaccines, the digital economy, and green, sustainable development.

Xi stressed that amid momentous recent changes and the pandemic, international societies and developing countries in particular are facing multiple challenges.   

China is willing to cooperate with Singapore in strengthening cooperation in multilateralism and building a global community of development, and will push for the CPTPP to take effect as scheduled, Xi said.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of relations between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Together with Singapore and other ASEAN members, China is willing to forge a closer community with a shared future, Xi said.

Lee sent his congratulations for the 72nd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and again extended his congratulations on the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Lee said that bilateral relations have always kept good momentum despite big changes in the international situation. Facing the COVID-19 pandemic, the two sides maintained close cooperation and supported each other, Lee said, noting that bilateral trade has increased rapidly and construction of the Belt and Road and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor has achieved notable results.

Global Times