Chinese, Singaporean presidents meet on bilateral ties

Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) shakes hands with Singapore's  President S.R. Nathan during their meeting in Singapore, on Nov.  11, 2009. Hu Jintao arrived here on Wednesday for a state visit  and the Economic Leaders Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic  Cooperation (APEC), scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.(Xinhua/ Huang Jingwen)

SINGAPORE, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao met here Wednesday evening with Singaporean President S. R. Nathan, with both exchanging views on further developing bilateral ties between the two countries.

President Hu said that as the two countries are to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations next year, China is ready to provide Singapore with a pair of pandas for joint research in a bid to further enhance the friendly feelings between the people of the two countries.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R, front), accompanied by Singapore's  President S.R. Nathan (R, rear), inspects the honour guard during  a welcome ceremony in honor of Hu in Singapore, on Nov. 11, 2009. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

President Nathan said that China's decision to offer a pair of pandas to Singapore is an important symbol of friendship between the two peoples.