Premier Lee Hsien Loong Congratulated Chinese President Xi Jinping

CNA

On Tuesday, Premier Lee Hsien Loong  congratulated Chinese President Xi Jinping on his re-election as  general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Lee also sent a congratulatory letter to new Politburo Standing Committee member Li Qiang, who is on course to become China's next prime minister.

Please accept my warmest congratulations on your re-election as General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party  and the success of the 20th CCP National Congress," Mr. Lee wrote in his letter to Mr. Xi. "You continue to lead the CPC and China at an important juncture in China's development amidst a complex global environment." meet its challenges and enjoy many more years of stability and prosperity.

Mr Lee reflected on Singapore-China relations and said  the two countries should keep working together. "Singapore and China maintain excellent relations supported by regular high-level exchanges and win-win cooperation," he wrote. "Our bilateral cooperation has evolved over the years, expanding into new areas along with our respective development priorities." We must continue to work together to broaden and deepen our cooperation in the years to come. In conclusion, 

 Mr. Lee wrote: "I look forward to meeting you soon and working with you and your colleagues to further strengthen ties between our two countries."

I wish you good health and much success.” ESSENTIAL RELATIONS “While congratulating Mr. Li on his appointment as a member of the Political Bureau Standing Committee of the 20th CPC Central  Committee, Mr. Lee wrote about the “essential ties” between Singapore and China .

"Our three government projects, Suzhou Industrial Park,  Tianjin Eco-City and  Chongqing Connectivity Initiative, continue to be successful examples of what our countries can achieve together," he said. "Our multifaceted and future-oriented cooperation has  steadily evolved over the years and expanded into new areas such as  digital and green economies.

"I am confident that Singapore-China relations will continue to thrive under the new Chinese leadership and as our countries work towards fully restoring air links. Mr. Lee recalled his last meeting with Mr. Li when he "I still remember well our conversations at our last meeting in Shanghai in 2018," he said, adding that he looks forward to meeting  Li again and working closely with him and his colleagues to advance the bilateral to strengthen relationships.