Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, on a
seven-day visit to China, said yesterday he believed the country’s
development is a major plus for Asia, and that the world will
benefit from it not just economically but also in international
affairs.
Speaking to 700 students at the Party School of the
Communist Party of China Central Committee in Beijing, he said
China's growth would shift the center of gravity of the global
economy towards Asia, and "create a favorable environment for other
Asian countries to grow, and enable the continent to play a
significant and constructive role in world affairs."
Lee said ASEAN members welcomed closer ties with
China and that the latter was actively engaged with the regional
bloc on matters such as a free trade agreement.
He also touched on China's relations with the US
and Japan, saying that from a strategic point of view, an open
Asian region in which the US, EU and other powers have a stake will
also help relations between them and China.
He said Singapore has benefited from a stable
regional order and the best way to enhance this was to have a
successful China take an active interest in the region, alongside
India, Japan and the US. He said that's why he wants China to
succeed and Singapore will participate in its transformation in
whatever way it can.
He spoke for about 40 minutes before taking
questions.
This is his first official visit to the Chinese
mainland since becoming prime minister in August last year.
Later in the day, Lee held talks with Premier
Wen Jiabao
at the Great Hall of the People after a welcoming ceremony.
He reiterated that his country supports the
one-China policy and opposes the Taiwan "independence."
Wen said he appreciated Lee's attitude towards
China's development and expressed the nation's willingness to raise
bilateral ties to a higher level.
Accompanied by several ministers and a 40-strong
business delegation, Lee will also visit the northern city of
Tianjin, as well as Shenyang and Dalian in northeast China's Liaoning
Province.
Lee is scheduled to meet President Hu Jintao,
top legislator Wu Bangguo
and top political adviser Jia Qinglin
today.
(China Daily October 26, 2005)
