On the afternoon of November 18, 2007, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao arrived in Singapore by special to start an official visit to the country and to attend a series of regional summit meetings to be held there.

At 16:10 local time, Premier Wen Jiabao's special plane arrived at the Changi International Airport, where he was greeted by his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong and other senior government officials.

In a written statement issued at the airport, Wen said China and Singapore are friendly neighbors and the two peoples enjoy a profound and traditional friendship. "Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 17 years ago, China-Singapore relations have maintained rapid growth, and we have carried out fruitful cooperation in many areas, bringing benefits to both countries," he said. During the visit, the Chinese premier is expected to hold talks with his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong and broadly engage with other leaders and personages from all walks of life in the country. Wen hoped that this visit will further push relations between the two countries for greater development.

After the visit, Wen will attend the 11th ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) plus Three (China, Japan and the Republic of Korea) Summit, the 11th China-ASEAN Summit and the third East Asia Summit. Wen said he is looking forward to attending the meetings and "exchanging views with the leaders of other countries on ways to deepen East Asian cooperation so as to contribute to the building of a peaceful, harmonious and prosperous Asia."

Premier Wen's entourage arrived by the same plane.

Chinese Ambassador to Singapore Zhang Xiaokang as well as the staff of the embassy and representatives from Chinese-funded institutions and Chinese students also greeted the Chinese delegation at the airport.

Premier Wen Jiabao is on his visit at the invitation of his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong. Premier Wen will pay an official visit to Singapore and attend the 11th ASEAN Plus China, Japan and ROK Summit, the 11th ASEAN Plus China Summit, as well as the 3rd East Asia Summit from November 18 to 22. He will also attend the 8th China-Japan-ROK Leaders' Meeting on the sidelines of the summits.