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Chinese, Singaporean Presidents Meet in Beijing
Chinese, Singaporean Presidents Meet in Beijing
Chinese President Jiang Zemin called on the international community Thursday afternoon in Beijing for more cooperation to curb terrorism so that people's safety will be guaranteed and world peace safeguarded.
Jiang commented on Tuesday's attacks on the U.S. in his meeting with visiting Singaporean President S.R. Nathan, who is here on a state visit to China as Jiang's guest.
Jiang noted that people all over the world, after long periods of suffering in the last century, yearn for lasting peace. The tragedy in the U.S., which occurred at the beginning of a new century, cannot but set people thinking, he added.
He also said he had sent messages of condolence to U.S. President George W. Bush, the American people and relatives of those victims.
Agreeing with Jiang, Nathan said that the world is facing new threats from terrorism which should be handled earnestly.
He said that Singapore will join the international community to enhance cooperation in countering terrorism.
On bilateral relations, Jiang noted that the relations have developed very well in the past decade of bilateral diplomatic ties, listing the constant bilateral high-level contacts and exchanges, the remarkable results of bilateral cooperation in trade, investment and human resources, and the success of the first-phase development of the Suzhou Industrial Park.
At the turn of the centuries, the two countries issued a joint statement on cooperation, which clarified the direction of the bilateral relationship in the new century, added Jiang.
Stating that Singapore is important in both Asia and southeast Asia, Jiang said bilateral cooperation of mutual benefit has vast potential, and China will deepen exchanges and cooperation with Singapore.
Nathan conveyed greetings from Singaporean Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and Senior Minister in Prime Minister's Office Lee Kuan Yew to Jiang, who asked Nathan to pass on his regards to Goh and Lee.
Nathan said that this is his first state visit to a country outside the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), which is a demonstration of how Singapore values its relations with China.
He also made note of Jiang's important speech delivered on July 1, when China was celebrating the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, China's upcoming access to the World Trade Organization and its successful bid to host the 2008 Olympic Games.
Singapore admires China's great achievements in reform and opening-up made in the past 20-plus years, Nathan added.
Nathan said that bilateral relations have developed smoothly, bilateral cooperation has been expanding, and the two countries have become important partners in economic cooperation. Nathan invited Jiang to visit Singapore again, and Jiang expressed his appreciation.
Saying that China is a country with an ancient civilization, Nathan said that by learning from each other, Singapore has promoted self-development.
One of the most important future goals is to strengthen contacts between the youth of the two countries, he added.
Before the meeting, Jiang presided over a welcoming ceremony for Nathan.
This is Nathan's first visit to China since he became president.
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