Chinese, Singaporean presidents meet on bilateral ties

Chinese President Hu Jintao is in Singapore for a state visit and for the Economic Leaders Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. Wednesday, Hu Jintao met with his Singaporean counterpart S.R. Nathan and Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew to discuss ways of further promoting 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)

In a statement delivered upon his arrival in Singapore, President Hu Jintao said he is ready to work for the further development of China's relations with Singapore.

Later, Singaporean President S. R. Nathan held a welcoming ceremony for the visiting Chinese president.

The two leaders held talks on Wednesday evening.

President Hu Jintao says Sino-Singaporean ties have witnessed rapid growth since the two countries established diplomatic ties 19 years ago.

He says China is ready to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with Singapore, so as to make greater contributions to peace, stability and the prosperity of Asia.

Hu Jintao says, to mark the 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties, China will provide Singapore with a pair of giant pandas for joint research.