China’s Foreign Minister visits Singapore

SINGAPORE: China’s Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi is in Singapore for an official visit from May 28 to 29.

On Monday afternoon, Mr Yang called on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, followed by a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security and Home Affairs Minister Teo Chee Hean.

In the meetings, the leaders reaffirmed the long—standing and excellent bilateral ties between Singapore and China.

They also discussed ways to further strengthen and deepen relations in areas of economic, social and financial cooperation.

Both sides agreed that the Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation should be held in the latter half of the year.

Later in the evening, Mr Yang met his counterpart, Singaporean Foreign Minister K Shanmugam.

During the meeting, Mr Shanmugam highlighted China’s role in preserving stability and promoting prosperity in the region.

The two foreign ministers discussed developments in the South China Sea.

Mr Shanmugam said that the situation should be resolved peacefully and expeditiously in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Mr Yang will call on Singapore’s President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong on Tuesday.

— CNA/wm