Singapore's President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong have written to China's President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang respectively to congratulate them on the 67th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Friday (Sept 30).
China celebrates the anniversary on Saturday (Oct 1).
The letters are reproduced as follows:
Congratulatory Message from President Tony Tan Keng Yam to President Xi Jinping
28 September 2016
His Excellency Xi Jinping
President
People's Republic of China
Your Excellency,
On behalf of the people of the Republic of Singapore, I would like to convey my heartiest congratulations on the 67th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
China has made remarkable progress since its founding. It has emerged as an important player on the international stage, and a key driver of the global economy in recent years. The successful conclusion of the G20 Summit in Hangzhou yielded many important outcomes and is a clear manifestation of China's contributions to global economic governance. Under your leadership, I am confident that China will play an even more important role on the international stage and contribute to regional peace and prosperity.
Bilaterally, Singapore and China enjoy a long-standing and warm friendship. We had a successful exchange of State Visits in 2015 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Singapore and China have established an All Round Cooperative Partnership Progressing with the Times, which reflects the unique characteristic of our countries' strong bilateral cooperation. In addition to the Sino-Singapore (Chongqing) Connectivity Initiative, our 3rd Government-to-Government project, the negotiations to upgrade the China-Singapore Free Trade Agreement by the end of this year, as well as other initiatives, will break new ground in our bilateral cooperation and take the relations between Singapore and China to even greater heights.
On this auspicious occasion, I wish the People's Republic of China continued peace and prosperity. My wife and I also wish you and Madam Peng (Liyuan) continued good health, happiness and success.
Yours sincerely,
TONY TAN KENG YAM
Congratulatory Message from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to Premier Li Keqiang
28 September 2016
Dear Premier Li,
On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Singapore, I extend my warmest congratulations on the joyous occasion of the 67th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. China's peaceful development over the decades has brought enormous benefits to the Chinese people and contributed greatly to the region and the world.
The friendship between Singapore and China has strengthened over the years. Our bilateral cooperation is multi-faceted and has developed with the changing priorities and needs of our two countries. Since 2013, Singapore has been China's largest foreign investor and China has been Singapore's largest trading partner. We have launched a third Government-to-Government project, namely, the Sino-Singapore (Chongqing) Connectivity Initiative, which will support China's "One Belt, One Road", Yangtze River Economic Belt and Western Region Development initiatives. To promote bilateral trade and investment, we have begun discussions to upgrade the China-Singapore Free Trade Agreement by the end of this year. I look forward to working with you to further broaden and deepen bilateral relations.
Singapore and China have also worked closely and well at regional and multilateral fora, particularly in Asean. As the Country Coordinator for Asean-China dialogue relations, Singapore will continue to take a positive, principled and objective approach in working with fellow Asean members and China to promote Asean-China cooperation.
I look forward to welcoming you to Singapore at a mutually convenient time. I wish you success and good health.
Yours sincerely
Lee Hsien Loong
His Excellency Li Keqiang
Premier of the State Council
People's Republic of China
