On November 12, 2009, Chinese President Hu Jintao met with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in Singapore, exchanging in-depth views on bilateral ties as well as international and regional issues of common concern.

Hu pointed out that currently China-Singapore relations have been developing very well and formed a situation with a high-level of political trust, economic mutual benefit and fruitful cooperation in all areas. Both sides have also maintained close high-level contacts and exchanged views on major international and regional issues on a regular basis. The two countries have effectively advanced cooperation in the four key areas like high-tech, Chinese enterprises going global, Singapore participating in China's development at local levels and human resource training, continuously scored new achievements on cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, education, science and technology and culture and kept close communication and coordination in international and regional affairs. Bilateral trade cooperation has achieved remarkable outcomes and the two countries have become each other's important trade partners with their trade volume reaching 52.4 billion US dollars last year.

Hu pointed out that the profound and complex changes in the world today set higher demand on China-Singapore cooperation. Hu said China and Singapore should always perceive and develop bilateral ties from a strategic height and long-term perspective, continue to uphold the spirit of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit and take the opportunity of the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties next year to advance bilateral relations to a higher level.

Hu made a six-point proposal for strengthening cooperation between China and Singapore. Firstly, the two countries should maintain the momentum of high-level contact. He said close contact between leaders of both sides was an outstanding feature of China-Singapore relations, which helped lay a solid political foundation for the development of bilateral ties. Secondly, the two countries should give full play to bilateral cooperation mechanism. He said the two sides should make good use of the mechanism to continually expand and deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields from a long-term perspective. Thirdly, China and Singapore should deepen economic and trade cooperation. He said the two sides should continue to develop the Suzhou Industrial Park and Tianjin Eco-City, the two flagship cooperative projects between the two governments. In the process of implementing the China-Singapore free trade arrangement, both sides should expand channels and space for the Chinese companies to invest in Singapore to discuss cooperation on environmental protection and recycling economy, he said. Fourthly, the two countries should expand cultural and people-to-people exchanges. Relevant departments of the two countries will sign a new cooperation agreement on human resources and their exchanges in the areas of education and culture are also very dynamic. He said the two countries would jointly set up the fourth public university and the China Culture Center in Singapore. In order to mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties, China will provide a pair of pandas for Singapore to carry out joint research. Fifthly, the two sides should step up defense and security cooperation. Hu hoped that both sides will enhance exchanges and lift the level of cooperation. Hu proposed that the two sides should carry out cooperation in non-traditional security areas, including humanitarian aid, maritime search and rescue, safeguarding security in the Malacca Straits and anti-terrorism. And last, the two countries should promote multilateral cooperation. China supports discussions between both sides on the development and changes in the world economic situation and on how to cope with the challenges brought about by economic globalization. He said the two countries should continue to step up coordination in such multilateral arenas as East Asia cooperation, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the United Nations to make new contribution to the peace, stability and prosperity of the region and the entire world.

Hu raised a three-point hope for the forthcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders Meeting. First, the Chinese president hoped the APEC meeting would put forward concrete measures on strengthening regional cooperation and promoting economic growth, and make positive contribution to international cooperation against the global financial crisis. He hoped the meeting would send a "clear and strong" message against trade and investment protectionism. Second, Hu said he hoped the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting would support the World Trade Organization Doha Round negotiations to gain "comprehensive and balanced" results "as early as possible" based on achieved results. Third, "we hope the meeting will achieve new developments in pushing forward regional integration, improving trade and investment environment, strengthening regional connection and supporting the developing member economies in capacity-building," said the Chinese president. "China is ready to make efforts with Singapore and other APEC member economies in this regard," he added.

Hu also briefed Lee on China's measures in response to the international financial crisis. He said the stable and rapid growth of China's economy had brought about more opportunities to Singapore and other member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). China is ready to enhance cooperation with Singapore based on mutual benefit, win-win outcome and common development.

Lee warmly welcomed Hu's state visit to Singapore. He said Hu's visit was of great significance as the two countries would celebrate the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties next year and this year marked the 20th anniversary of the founding of the APEC and the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

Echoing Hu's proposals on developing bilateral ties, Lee said the relations between the two countries are full of vitality with cooperation at multiple levels and in all areas going smoothly. Achievements have been made in bilateral cooperation on high-tech, Chinese enterprises going global, Singapore-China cooperation at local levels and human resource training. The Suzhou Industrial Park has scored noticeable outcome over the past 15 years and the Tianjin Eco-City project has also been proceeding smoothly. He said bilateral cooperation was not only beneficial to both countries, but also conducive to the international community. Lee suggested that the two countries should step up cooperation in such new fields as city planning, water resources treatment, environment protection and social harmony to advance the future cooperation between both sides. Singapore and China should learn from each other to achieve mutual benefit and win-win outcome. As Singapore will host the Youth Olympic Games next year, the country hopes to learn from China's experience in holding the Olympics and other big events.

Lee said the two countries, with different national realities, should learn from each other, increase exchanges, and strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the era of globalization. Lee said the forthcoming 17th APEC Economic Leaders Meeting would be very important, and he thanked China's support to Singapore for hosting the meeting. President Hu Jintao's attendance will play an important role in pushing forward the development of APEC, the Singaporean prime minister said. "Singapore welcomes China enhancing cooperation with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and welcomes China's active participation in Asia-Pacific regional cooperation," Lee said, adding that his country is ready to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China in the Group of 20 and other international organizations.

Lee said China has played an important role in tackling the international financial crisis and will continue to play an important role in the post-crisis era. The stability, vitality and prosperity of China's economy are conducive to economic recovery in Asia and the world, he said.

After their meeting, the two leaders attended the signing ceremony of relevant cooperation agreements between the two countries. On the noon, Hu attended a luncheon held by Lee.

Ling Jihua, Wang Huning and Dai Bingguo attended the above activities.