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SINGAPORE: President Halimah Yacob and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong congratulated their Chinese counterparts on Thursday (October 1) on the 71st anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
In her letter to President Xi Jinping, Ms. Halimah said that “China has made immense progress in the last seven decades, particularly after the launch of its reform and opening-up policy in 1978.”
He said that China, the world’s second-largest economy, is the main trading partner of many countries, including Singapore, and that it was one of the first countries to control the COVID-19 pandemic and revive its economy.
“Singapore-China relations have grown in tandem with China’s development,” Madam Halimah said, adding that this year marks the 30th anniversary of Singapore-China diplomatic ties.
“In the short span of thirty years, our bilateral ties have been significantly strengthened and have broken new ground in various areas. In the midst of the pandemic, our countries have deepened bilateral cooperation and our peoples have supported each other.
“As we move into a post-COVID-19 world, I am confident that our two countries will continue to work closely together for the mutual benefit of our peoples. I wish the People’s Republic of China to continue peace, stability and prosperity, ”said Ms. Halimah, adding that she looks forward to her next state visit to China.
Writing to Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, Lee praised China’s “remarkable” growth over the past decades.
“Having lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty, China hopes to fully alleviate poverty by the end of this year. This achievement is testament to the tenacity of the Chinese people, ”he wrote.
“Even in an increasingly uncertain global environment, I am confident that China will continue to grow and contribute to the stability and prosperity of our region and the world.”
The cooperation between Singapore and China is “substantial and ambitious” and ranges from building industrial parks, developing sustainable green cities and improving connectivity between the two countries, Lee said.
Mr. Lee also said that Singapore and China are working on new areas of cooperation in public health management and vaccine research and development.
He added that Singapore looks forward to the conclusion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, “which will be a timely affirmation of our joint commitment to upholding a rules-based multilateral trading system.”
“I wish the People’s Republic of China to continue in peace, stability and prosperity.”
The letters from Mdm Halimah and Mr Lee are reproduced in their entirety below:
Congratulatory Message from President Halimah Yacob to President Xi Jinping
Oct 1, 2020
His Excellency Xi Jinping
President
People’s Republic of China
Your excellence,
On behalf of the people of the Republic of Singapore, I warmly congratulate you on the 71st anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
China has made tremendous strides over the past seven decades, particularly after the launch of its reform and opening-up policy in 1978. Today, China is the world’s second-largest economy and the main trading partner of many countries, including Singapore. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, China has been one of the first countries to control the outbreak and reactivate its economy.
Singapore-China relations have grown in tandem with China’s development. This year marks the thirtieth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries. In the short span of thirty years, our bilateral ties have been significantly strengthened and have broken new ground in various areas. In the midst of the pandemic, our countries have deepened bilateral cooperation and our peoples have supported each other. As we move into a post-COVID-19 world, I am confident that our two countries will continue to work closely together for the mutual benefit of our peoples.
I wish the People’s Republic of China to continue in peace, stability and prosperity. I also wish you good health and success. My husband and I look forward to meeting you and Ms. Peng Liyuan again in Beijing during our upcoming State Visit to China.
Yours sincerely,
HALIMAH YACOB
Congratulatory Message from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to Prime Minister Li Keqiang
Oct 1, 2020
Dear Prime Minister Li,
On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Singapore, I warmly congratulate you on the auspicious occasion of the 71st anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
China’s growth in recent decades has been remarkable. After lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty, China hopes to fully alleviate poverty by the end of this year. This achievement is testament to the tenacity of the Chinese people. Even in an increasingly uncertain global environment, I am confident that China will continue to grow and contribute to the stability and prosperity of our region and the world.
Singapore-China relations have also steadily strengthened over the years. Our cooperation is substantial and ambitious, from building industrial parks to developing sustainable green cities, to improving Singapore-China connectivity and beyond. During the COVID-19 pandemic, our leaders have remained in close contact. We are also working on new areas of cooperation in public health management and vaccine research and development.
Singapore and China also continue to work closely together in multilateral fora. The ASEAN Plus Three Special Summit was convened in April 2020, shortly after the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic in March. Next year, we hope to celebrate the 30th anniversary of ASEAN-China relations. We also look forward to the conclusion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership later this year, which will be a timely affirmation of our joint commitment to upholding a rules-based multilateral trading system.
I wish the People’s Republic of China to continue in peace, stability and prosperity. Please also accept my best wishes for your good health and success.
Yours sincerely,
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