The 6th China-Singapore Joint Council Meeting for Bilateral Cooperation, co-chaired by visiting Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan and Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng, was held in Singapore on Monday.

Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan (L) meets with Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in Singapore, on Aug. 24, 2009. At the invitation of Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng, Wang Qishan arrived here on Sunday to start a four-day official visit to the city state.[Zhang Yongxing/Xinhua]

During the meeting, Wang Qishan spoke highly of the China-Singapore relations. He said that both countries have maintained frequent interflow of high-level visits, cooperations between the two countries have advanced in all-round way with good results. Against the backdrop of the international financial crisis, it is of great significance that China and Singapore actively explore new ways and areas of cooperation.

Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng said that the bilateral ties have developed rapidly based on mutual trust, friendship and cooperation. He said that Singapore is confident in the future of China, and is willing to work more closely together to enhance bilateral relations.

Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan (2nd R) meets with Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (4th L) in Singapore, on Aug. 24, 2009.[Zhang Yongxing/Xinhua]

Earlier Monday, Wang Qishan and Wong Kan Seng also co-chaired the 11th China-Singapore Joint Steering Council Meeting for the Suzhou Industrial Park and the 2nd China-Singapore Joint Steering Council Meeting for the Tianjin Eco-City. They also witnessed the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) related to educational cooperation and science and technology, and a Protocol to the tax treaty between the two countries.

At the invitation of Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng, Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan arrived in Singapore on Sunday to start a four-day official visit to the city state.

(Xinhua News Agency August 25, 2009)