MFA Press Statement: Congratulatory Messages from President Tony Tan to President Xi Jinping, and from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to Premier Li Keqiang, on the Occasion of the 67th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China

        President Tony Tan Keng Yam has written to President Xi Jinping to convey his best wishes on the occasion of the 67^th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.  Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has also written to Premier Li Keqiang to congratulate him.

        President and Prime Minister’s congratulatory letters are appended.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

30 SEPTEMBER 2016

Congratulatory Message from President Tony Tan Keng Yam to President Xi Jinping

28 September 2016

His Excellency Xi Jinping

President

People’s Republic of China

Your Excellency,

        On behalf of the people of the Republic of Singapore, I would like to convey my heartiest congratulations on the 67^th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

        China has made remarkable progress since its founding.  It has emerged as an important player on the international stage, and a key driver of the global economy in recent years. The successful conclusion of the G20 Summit in Hangzhou yielded many important outcomes and is a clear manifestation of China’s contributions to global economic governance.  Under your leadership, I am confident that China will play an even more important role on the international stage and contribute to regional peace and prosperity. 

        Bilaterally, Singapore and China enjoy a long-standing and warm friendship.  We had a successful exchange of State Visits in 2015 to commemorate the 25^th anniversary of diplomatic relations.  Singapore and China have established an All Round Cooperative Partnership Progressing with the Times, which reflects the unique characteristic of our countries’ strong bilateral cooperation.  In addition to the Sino-Singapore (Chongqing) Connectivity Initiative, our 3^rd Government-to-Government project, the negotiations to upgrade the China-Singapore Free Trade Agreement by the end of this year, as well as other initiatives, will break new ground in our bilateral cooperation and take the relations between Singapore and China to even greater heights.  

        On this auspicious occasion, I wish the People’s Republic of China continued peace and prosperity.  My wife and I also wish you and Madam Peng continued good health, happiness and success.

Yours sincerely,

TONY TAN KENG YAM

Congratulatory Message from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to Premier Li Keqiang

28 September 2016

Dear Premier Li,

               On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Singapore, I extend my warmest congratulations on the joyous occasion of the 67^th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.  China’s peaceful development over the decades has brought enormous benefits to the Chinese people and contributed greatly to the region and the world. 

               The friendship between Singapore and China has strengthened over the years.  Our bilateral cooperation is multi-faceted and has developed with the changing priorities and needs of our two countries.  Since 2013, Singapore has been China’s largest foreign investor and China has been Singapore’s largest trading partner.  We have launched a third Government-to-Government project, namely, the Sino-Singapore (Chongqing) Connectivity Initiative, which will support China’s “One Belt, One Road”, Yangtze River Economic Belt and Western Region Development initiatives.  To promote bilateral trade and investment, we have begun discussions to upgrade the China-Singapore Free Trade Agreement by the end of this year.  I look forward to working with you to further broaden and deepen bilateral relations.

               Singapore and China have also worked closely and well at regional and multilateral fora, particularly in ASEAN.  As the Country Coordinator for ASEAN-China dialogue relations, Singapore will continue to take a positive, principled and objective approach in working with fellow ASEAN members and China to promote ASEAN-China cooperation.

               I look forward to welcoming you to Singapore at a mutually convenient time.  I wish you success and good health.

Yours sincerely

Lee Hsien Loong

His Excellency Li Keqiang

Premier of the State Council

People’s Republic of China