MFA Press Statement: Visit of Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong to the People's Republic of China, 10 - 15 September 2012

Emeritus Senior Minister (ESM) Goh Chok Tong met Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao at the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Summer Davos in Tianjin, China, this morning.

ESM and Premier Wen reaffirmed the excellent bilateral relations between Singapore and China.  ESM paid tribute to Premier Wen for playing an important role in enhancing bilateral relations and China's cooperation with ASEAN.  In particular, ESM thanked Premier Wen for his strong support for the establishment of the Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC), the  Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-city and financial cooperation between the two countries.  ESM and Premier Wen agreed that these initiatives had progressed very well, and that both countries should continue to work together to ensure their future success.  They agreed that social management could be a new area of cooperation, where both countries can exchange views and learn from each other’s experiences and policy innovations in overcoming social challenges.

ESM also met Latvian Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis and Lithuanian Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius today.  ESM discussed developments in the European Union (EU) and ways to deepen bilateral cooperation with the two leaders.  The Prime Ministers of Latvia and Lithuania also expressed support for the early conclusion of the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

11 SEPTEMBER 2012