PM Lee meets Sichuan party secretary in Chengdu

CHENGDU, CHINA — Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is in Chengdu on the first leg of a six—day visit to China, at the invitation of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.

Prime Minister Lee was met on arrival at the Chengdu Airport on Sunday by Sichuan Executive Vice—Governor Wei Hong.

In a meeting with Sichuan Provincial Party Secretary Liu Qibao, Mr Lee described Sichuan as an environment favourable for both living and doing business.

He noted the steady flow of investment across sectors from Singapore to Sichuan.

Recent projects include Raffles City Chengdu opening this month, as well as the Singapore—Sichuan Hi—Tech Innovation Park — a private sector—led project supported by the two governments.

PM Lee said that the government will support such projects heading into the western part of China, which is also in line with the Chinese government’s plan to develop its western area.

Until now, a lot of Singaporean investment in China has concentrated on coastal regions.

Mr Lee also welcomed the upcoming arrival in Singapore of two pandas from China as a symbol of prospering bilateral ties.

On Monday, Mr Lee will visit Singapore businesses in Sichuan, as well as the reconstructed Yingxiu Town, the epicentre of the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake.

From Chengdu, PM Lee will travel to Beijing where he will meet President Hu Jintao, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress Wu Bangguo, Premier Wen Jiabao, Vice—President Xi Jinping and Vice—Premier Li Keqiang.

Mr Lee will also deliver a speech at the Central Party School of the Communist Party of China.

— CNA/ir