Vice-president praises Singapore ties

Vice-President Li Yuanchao has said China is ready to work with Singapore to "boost political mutual trust, promote practical cooperation and expand cultural exchanges".

Li made the remarks when meeting with the visiting Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on Monday in Beijing.

China and Singapore are friends and neighbors who have worked on a pathway for cooperation that promotes mutual learning and benefits, Li said.

Li noted the state visit paid by President Xi Jinping to Singapore last year and that the two countries established a partnership of all-round cooperation keeping with the times.

This has charted the course for the development of the relationship in the next stage, Li said.

The Singaporean minister said the two-way cooperation has harvested results and Singapore attaches great importance to its relationship with China, and will spare no effort in advancing bilateral cooperation.