Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, on a seven-day visit to China, said yesterday he believed the country’s development is a major plus for Asia, and that the world will benefit from it not just economically but also in international affairs.

 

Speaking to 700 students at the Party School of the Communist Party of China Central Committee in Beijing, he said China's growth would shift the center of gravity of the global economy towards Asia, and "create a favorable environment for other Asian countries to grow, and enable the continent to play a significant and constructive role in world affairs."

 

Lee said ASEAN members welcomed closer ties with China and that the latter was actively engaged with the regional bloc on matters such as a free trade agreement.

 

He also touched on China's relations with the US and Japan, saying that from a strategic point of view, an open Asian region in which the US, EU and other powers have a stake will also help relations between them and China.

 

He said Singapore has benefited from a stable regional order and the best way to enhance this was to have a successful China take an active interest in the region, alongside India, Japan and the US. He said that's why he wants China to succeed and Singapore will participate in its transformation in whatever way it can.

 

He spoke for about 40 minutes before taking questions.

 

This is his first official visit to the Chinese mainland since becoming prime minister in August last year.

 

Later in the day, Lee held talks with Premier Wen Jiabao at the Great Hall of the People after a welcoming ceremony.

 

He reiterated that his country supports the one-China policy and opposes the Taiwan "independence."

 

Wen said he appreciated Lee's attitude towards China's development and expressed the nation's willingness to raise bilateral ties to a higher level.

 

Accompanied by several ministers and a 40-strong business delegation, Lee will also visit the northern city of Tianjin, as well as Shenyang and Dalian in northeast China's Liaoning Province.

 

Lee is scheduled to meet President Hu Jintao, top legislator Wu Bangguo and top political adviser Jia Qinglin today.

 

(China Daily October 26, 2005)