Visiting Chinese Vice-Premier Li Lanqing said Wednesday in Singapore that China is willing to play an active role in creating a China-ASEAN Free Trade Zone.
In the talks with Singaporean President Nathan in Istana (the Presidential Palace), Li, who is in Singapore on a four-day official visit,said China has good political relations with Singapore and other ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries and it is willing to push forward the establishment of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Zone. China's economic development will provide a new opportunity to the development of the countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
Li said China would cooperate with ASEAN countries in the field of telecommunications, highways and other infrastructure facilities.
Li said his official visit to Singapore is aimed at discussing ways with Singapore officials on how to further bilateral cooperation.
The Chinese vice-premier also briefed Nathan the newly development of the Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP), saying the SIP has become a successful model of friendly cooperation between China and Singapore and the SIP has already brought benefits to both sides.
Nathan said the cooperation between Singapore and China would have a bright future. He expressed the hope that China's economic growth will benefit Singapore and other ASEAN countries.
The Singaporean president said that he is satisfied with the development of the SIP, hoping greater achievements will be made in the SIP through the joint efforts of the two countries.
(Xinhua News Agency May 30, 2002)
