Highlights of Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to Singapore

BEIJING, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- The following are the highlights of Chinese President Hu Jintao's tour to Singapore where he held a series of meetings with Singaporean leaders and will attend the Economic Leaders Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

SINGAPORE -- Chinese President 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.

President Hu released a statement upon arrival at the Singapore Changi International Airport, saying he was ready to work for new progress in bilateral relations through this visit.

Hu said since the two countries established diplomatic ties in October 1990, the bilateral relationship had made rapid progress, with fruitful practical cooperation and close coordination in international and regional affairs.

SINGAPORE -- 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 as the two countries are to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations nex tyear, China is ready to provide Singapore with a pair of pandas for joint research to further enhance the friendly feelings between the people of the two countries.

SINGAPORE -- Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao met here Wednesday with Singaporean Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew and made a three-point proposal for enhancing bilateral ties.

He said the development of the Suzhou Industrial Park has made great achievements and the Tianjin Eco-city project has also developed smoothly.

Hu said the effective implementation of the Sino-Singaporean Free Trade Agreement (FTA) marked bilateral economic and trade cooperation has entered a closer, more mature new stage.

Hu made a three-point proposal for further developing the bilateral ties:

-- Maintaining close contacts between the leaders of the two countries, exchanging views and opinions on the basis of frankness, and pushing forward bilateral ties along the right direction;

-- Making full use of the roles of the Sino-Singaporean FTA and the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, strengthening bilateral pragmatic cooperation in various areas, cultivating a new growth point for cooperation;

-- Maintaining closer people-to-people exchanges, cultural and knowledge exchanges, learning from each other and promoting economic and social development.

SINGAPORE -- Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong met here Thursday to exchange views on furthering bilateral cooperation.