President Jiang Meets with Singapore Prime Minister

Chinese President Meets Singaporean Prime Minister

President Jiang Zemin met with visiting Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong at Zhongnanhai on April 11. During the meeting, Jiang extended warm welcome to Prime Minister Goh for his visiting China again.

Jiang said that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Singapore and the turn of a new century, Prime Minister Goh's visit to China at this juncture has special meaning, and will strongly push forward bilateral relations of friendly cooperation to new heights.

President Jiang said there is good momentum of development in China-Singapore relations with frequent bilateral exchanges between different departments and at various levels and fruitful results in the mutually beneficial of all areas. China is satisfied with the development of relations with Singapore. China attaches great importance to developing its relationship with Singapore, and considers it an important part of friendly cooperation with Southeast Asia. We hope to make joint efforts with the Singaporean side to push for bigger development in bilateral mutually beneficial cooperation in the new century.

Prime Minister Goh first thanked President Jiang for the meeting. He told President Jiang that he had had very good discussions with other Chinese leaders on his current visit, and that they reached consensus on further cooperation and had an in-depth exchange of views on issues of mutual concern such as regional economic situation. He expressed satisfaction over his visit.

On the Taiwan question, Prime Minister Goh said that Taiwan is a province of China's and the Taiwan question is China's internal affair. The Singaporean government will continue to uphold its one-China policy.

President Jiang explained to Mr. Goh China's principled stance on the Taiwan question, saying that the principled policy in resolving the Taiwan question --"peaceful reunification and one country, two systems" -- has remained unchanged. The one China principle is the precondition and basis for China's peaceful reunification. Under the one-China principle, we can discuss whatever topics (with the Taiwan side). But we will never promise not to use force, and we will never allow Taiwan independence in any form.

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