Chinese vice premier calls for more co-op with Singapore

Visiting Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli called on Monday for more practical cooperation with Singapore.

"We would like to work together with Singapore to carry out the consensus reached by leaders of our two countries and ensure our practical cooperation in various fields goes stable, deeper and concrete," Zhang said in an article published in Singapore's local Chinese daily Lianhe Zaobao on Monday when he started a three-day visit to the Southeast Asian nation.

He noted that the development of China boasts huge potential and bright prospect, which provides more opportunities, with larger scope, for the development of other countries including Singapore, adding that the city state is among the first batch of countries that entered China after Beijing opened its door to the outside world, and it enjoys advantage in China's external cooperation.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1990, the bilateral cooperation between China and Singapore flourished and deepened in various fields.

The two-way trade between China and Singapore grew 24 times to 69.3 billion US dollars in 2012, from 2.8 billion dollars in 1990, while mutual visits amounted to a total of 2.8 million person-times last year.

To seek more practical cooperation, the two countries should continue to improve the existing mechanisms for bilateral cooperation and deepen their cooperation in major areas and flagship projects, Zhang said.

During his visit, Zhang, together with Singaporean Vice Premier Teo Chee Hean, will co-chair the 10th meeting of China-Singapore Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation, a high-level institutional mechanism established in 2003 to oversee the entire range of bilateral cooperation.

Zhang will also preside over the 15th China-Singapore Joint Steering Council Meeting for the Suzhou Industrial Park and the sixth China-Singapore Joint Steering Council Meeting for the Tianjin Eco-city.

The Suzhou Industrial Park and the Tianjin Eco-city are two flagship projects between the two governments to promote their cooperation in high-tech industries and sustainable development.

In addition to the projects already implemented, Zhang said China and Singapore should expand the areas for their cooperation.

The two countries may "strengthen practical cooperation in economy and trade, financial services, technology, culture, ecological development and social management," he said, adding that China supports Singapore in participating in China's western development and revitalization of the northeast region and " nurturing new spotlights for bilateral cooperation."

The cooperation between China and Singapore goes well beyond bilateral level. Zhang said the two countries should also join hands to promote cooperation in the region, with priority on the establishment of an Asian infrastructure investment bank, the introduction of an Asian currency stabilization system, an Asian credit system and an Asian investment and financing cooperation system, and the construction of a maritime silk road in the 21st century.

"The practical cooperation between China and Singapore is facing a historic opportunity," Zhang said.

The Chinese vice premier's Singapore visit followed the recent trips to Southeast Asia by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Li Keqiang. The series of moves were aimed to strengthen ties between China and its neighboring region, analysts said.