Singapore on Thursday reaffirmed its one-China policy and opposition to "Taiwan independence."  

"Singapore reaffirmed its long-standing position on one-China and opposition to 'Taiwan independence'," the Foreign Ministry said in a brief statement on Thursday night.

The Foreign Ministry made the remarks while commenting on the meeting between Singapore's Foreign Minister George Yeo and Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) ministerial meeting in the Chilean capital of Santiago on Thursday.

The statement said that the two ministers had a useful discussion on a broad range of issues including the situation across the Taiwan Straits.

"Both sides now have a deeper understanding of each other's positions. This provides a good foundation for the further development of our bilateral relations. This is in the interest of the peoples of both countries," the statement said.

(Xinhua News Agency November 19, 2004)