MFA Press Statement: Meeting between Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and His Excellency Xi Jinping, Vice President of the People’s Republic of China, 15 November 2010

Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong met Vice President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping this afternoon. During the meeting, Senior Minister Goh and Vice President Xi welcomed the strengthening of ties and bilateral cooperation between Singapore and China. The two leaders reaffirmed the importance of existing mechanisms for bilateral cooperation and also exchanged views on areas in which the two countries could further strengthen cooperation, such as in the financial sector.

After the meeting, Senior Minister and Vice President Xi attended a lunch hosted by the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCCI) and Business China, where both leaders delivered speeches.

Earlier in the day, Senior Minister Goh and Vice President Xi jointly officiated the groundbreaking ceremony of the China Cultural Centre (CCC). The CCC, located at 217 Queen Street, will be a platform to showcase China's rich cultural heritage and will have a positive impact on Singapore's arts and culture scene. The idea of the CCC was first raised by then-Prime Minister Goh in 2003, and the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish the CCC was signed in November 2009 during President Hu Jintao's State Visit to Singapore. The groundbreaking of the CCC is part of a series of commemorative events celebrating the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Singapore and China.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
15 NOVEMBER 2010