Li Changchun, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, met in Beijing Wednesday with visiting Singaporean Senior Minister of the Prime Minister's Office Lee Kuan Yew.

Li praised Lee for his contribution to the Sino-Singaporean friendship. Since they established diplomatic ties, Li said, China and Singapore have developed their relationship soundly and rapidly.

In the many past years, Singapore remained one of China's most important trade partners in Southeast Asia, Li said.

Meanwhile, the two countries well cooperated with each other in culture, education and science and technology, he said.

Sino-Singaporean cooperation has markedly sped up in recent years and entered into an all-round, multi-faceted development era. The two sides has timely designated major cooperation areas according to changing situations, and thus breathe new vitality into the existing relationship, Li said.

Lee positively commented on the latest development of the Singaporean-Chinese relationship.

Faced with changing situations, Lee said, both Singapore and China seized the opportunity and closely cooperated with each other.

Lee said Singapore is willing to more actively engage in the process of China's economic development.

Li and Lee also exchanged views on ethical and cultural improvement.

While learning from other countries in their advanced cultures, Li said, China is determined to carry forward its own splendid traditional culture.

It is necessary to boost advanced socialist culture in order to meet requirements of the Chinese people at modern times, Li said.

Lee said he believes China could maintain its cultural identity while learning something from other good cultures.

Source: Xinhua