Singapore President S.R. Nathan on Monday met with visiting Vice Premier Wu Yi, saying that the city state is willing to share China's development experience and promote bilateral cooperation in various fields.

During their meeting, Wu noted that bilateral relations between China and Singapore have been enhanced significantly since the diplomatic relationship between the two countries was established 15 years ago.

Regarding Singapore as China's most important economic and trade partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Wu said that the two countries have been cooperating not only in promoting their respective economies, but also in international and regional affairs, especially in strengthening the China-ASEAN relationship.

Nathan thanked China for providing Singapore with opportunities in areas like trade, investment and human resources, adding that China's peaceful development has contributed a lot to the prosperity and stability of the region as well as Asia.

The two leaders also agreed that China's economic and social development will bring increasing opportunities to its neighbors and will benefit Asian countries including Singapore.

Wu stressed that China is willing to be Asian nations' reliable friend and sincere partner for cooperation.

Wu arrived in Singapore on Monday afternoon for a three-day official visit at the invitation of Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng, who hosted a welcome dinner in honor of Wu after the meeting.

Wu will attend the 2nd Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) Meeting between Singapore and China to be held in Singapore on Tuesday.

Singapore is the first stop of Wu's three-nation trip, which will also take her to Thailand and Brunei.

(Xinhua News Agency September 20, 2005)