Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Tuesday met with Vice Premier Wu Yi, who is on a three-day official visit in Singapore.

The two leaders stressed that exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in various fields need to be further promoted, together with the deepening of the bilateral friendly and cooperative relationship.

Reviewing the rapid growth of bilateral trade over the past years, Wu said that China shares common interest in many areas with Singapore and is willing to push forward cooperation between the two countries to a new high.

Lee said that the relations between Singapore and China enjoy good development with smooth progress being made in areas like trade, tourism and investment, which is not only in accordance with the interest of the two countries, but also beneficial to the common development of the region.

He said he believed that the goal of realizing US$50 billion in trade volume in 2010 will surely be achieved ahead of schedule.

Commenting positively on the important role played by the China-Singapore Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) in promoting Sino-Singapore cooperation and the satisfactory results achieved during the second JCBC meeting held on Tuesday morning, the two leaders reconfirmed the inclusion of Singapore's participation in the rejuvenation of northeast China as a new key area of cooperation.

Talking about regional cooperation in East Asia, the two leaders agreed to further promote the relations between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), especially in boosting the establishment of China-ASEAN Free Trade Zone.

Wu reiterated China's friendly policy toward its neighboring countries, while Lee appreciated China's strategic decision to cooperate with ASEAN and its consideration of the interest concern of ASEAN members.

ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Wu also called on Singapore Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong on Tuesday afternoon, speaking highly of Goh's important contribution to the development of Sino-Singapore relations during his 14 years as Singapore prime minister.

Goh said that Singapore is willing to play an active role in China's peaceful development by exploring new ways of cooperation with the Chinese side.

Both leaders agreed to actively support and participate in the Asia-Middle East Dialogue mechanism which will promote collaboration between the two regions.

Wu arrived in the city state on Monday afternoon at the invitation of Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng.

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

(Xinhua News Agency September 21, 2005)