China shares economic growth with Asian countries: Singapore PM

China has been helping other countries to benefit from its economic growth in an active and intelligent way, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Friday.

Delivering a keynote address at the opening reception for the fourth Shangri-La Dialogue, an annual Asia security conference, Lee said that China's emergence is the central reality in Asia.

He noted that China has been not only the major trading partner of many Asian countries, but also a fast growing source of tourists and investments.

"All countries in Asia want to grow these economic ties and to strengthen their relations with China," Lee said, adding that China "has affirmed its determination to develop peacefully" and " is assuming responsibilities commensurate with its growing weight. "

On Singapore's foreign relations, Lee reiterated, "we seek to be friends with all countries, while upholding our rights and interests internationally. We will pursue win-win cooperation with all countries willing to cooperate with us".

He urged countries in the region to spare collective efforts to deal with the challenges of terrorism, capitalize on the emergence of China and India, and manage the potential trouble spots in the region, so as to secure a successful future for Asia.

In his speech, Lee also stressed the importance of maintaining the maritime security in the Malacca Straits and the Singapore Straits.

Meanwhile, he urged the United States "to make more use of its soft power to win over international opinion, correct misperceptions, and build trust and credibility, especially in the Muslim world".

Organized by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), the three-day event attracted more than 200 participants from over 20 countries from Asia Pacific, North America and Europe to the island state's Shangri-La hotel, where it has been held for the past three years.

Eminent participants include US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, Japanese Defense Minister Yoshinori Ono, South Korean Defense Minister Yoon Kwang Ung, Australian Minister for Defense Robert Hill, Philippine Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz, Singapore Defense Minister Teo Chee Hean, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Najib Razak as well as Commander of the US Pacific Command Admiral William Fallon.

They will lead discussions on topics such as the United States and Asia-Pacific security beyond the war on terrorism, responding to the challenges of weapons of mass destruction in the region through diplomacy and deterrence, the region's armed forces and counter-terrorism, as well as maritime security cooperation.

Source: Xinhua