China, Singapore seek to expand bilateral cooperation

Senior officials of China and Singapore Friday pledged to expand two nations' cooperation, particularly in high technology, urban planning, environmental protection and public service management.

Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan and Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng co-chaired a spate of high-level meetings in Beijing Friday.

The meetings included the 7th Meeting of China-Singapore Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation, the 12th China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park Joint Steering Council Meeting and the 3rd China-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City Joint Steering Council Meeting.

Wang said the bilateral relationship had developed rapidly in the past 20 years, noting the success of the China-Singapore Suzhou Industry Park and Tianjin Eco-City projects and implementation of the China-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (CSFTA).

He attributed the success of bilateral cooperation to the two countries' strategic vision for developing bilateral relations -- aligned to the interests of both peoples.

In order to further expand bilateral cooperation, Wang suggested both countries maintain close high-level contacts and promote pragmatic cooperation in the areas of water resources utilization, energy-saving and environmental protection, urban planning, public service and management.

He hoped Singapore would continue to play a positive role in promoting relations between China and the Association of Southeast East Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Wong said the bilateral Free Trade Agreement, the Suzhou Industrial Park, and the China-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City had served as good examples of sound bilateral cooperation that created substantial benefit for both peoples.

During the 12th China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park Joint Steering Council Meeting, Wang spoke highly of the remarkable progress of the industrial park, noting its achievements in the areas of nano-technology research, service trade, energy-saving and environmental protection.

He said the Chinese government will give policy support to innovation in the industrial park, especially in the research and development of nano-technology and service outsourcing.

He hoped Singapore would increase its support to the park in the advanced technology, talented personnel and management experience.

The meeting deliberated on and signed off a report on the industrial park's construction and future development.

On the 3rd China-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City Joint Steering Council Meeting, Wang said both leaders attached great importance to the construction of the eco-city.

Located in the Tianjin Binhai New Area, the 30-sq km Tianjin Eco-City is envisioned to create a harmonious and sustainable community that meets the needs of an urbanizing China and will be a modern center where 350,000 residents will live, work and play.

Wang called on the two sides to make the eco-city a paradigm which can be replicated in other places in China.

The meeting deliberated and signed off a working report on the eco-city.

Source: Xinhua