MFA Press Statement: Official Visit By Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong To China, 22-27 October 2008

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will be making an official visit to China from 22 to 27 October 2008 in conjunction with his attendance at the ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting) VII Summit from 24 to 25 October 2008. Prime Minister Lee's visit will also include a trip to Xi'an, the capital of Shaanxi province, from 25 to 27 October 2008. Prime Minister Lee will be accompanied by Mrs Lee, Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo, Minister for National Development Mah Bow Tan (Beijing only), Minister for Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang (Beijing only), Minister of State for Trade and Industry Lee Yi Shyan (Xi'an only), as well as two Members of Parliament, Mr Sam Tan Chin Siong and Mr Zaqy Mohamad. Prime Minister Lee will also be accompanied by several senior officials.

In Beijing, Prime Minister Lee will meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao, National Standing Committee (NPC) Chairman Wu Bangguo and Vice Premier Li Keqiang, as well as other senior Chinese leaders. Prime Minister Lee will also witness the signing of the China-Singapore Free Trade Agreement by Minister for Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang and Chinese Commerce Minister Chen Deming. In Xi'an, Prime Minister Lee is scheduled to meet Shaanxi Governor Yuan Chunqing. At the ASEM VII Summit, it is envisaged that leaders will discuss the current financial crisis as well as further cooperation between Asia and Europe in areas such as trade and investment, climate change and sustainable development and energy security. Prime Minister Lee is also scheduled to have separate bilateral meetings with ASEAN and European leaders.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
21 OCTOBER 2008