Both defence ministers exchanged views on regional security and the development of a regional security architecture.

They reaffirmed the importance of the defence relationship in the longstanding bilateral relationship between Singapore and China.

They also agreed to enhance exchanges between the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the People's Liberation Army (PLA).

Mr Teo, who is on an official visit to China until Thursday, also met with Vice Premier and Member of the Politburo Standing Committee, Li Keqiang.

He will meet with other other key provincial officials and and senior PLA commanders in Urmuqi, Zhanjiang and Shenzhen in the next few days , and tour the South Sea Fleet in Zhanjiang.

Mr Teo's visit underscores the progress in bilateral defence relationship following the signing of the bilateral Alreement on Defence Exchanges and Security Cooperation (ADESC) and the inaugural Permanent Secretary-level Defence Policy Dialogue (DPD in January.

His visit to China is a continuation of the exchange of visits by Singapore's defence ministers in 1997.

The minister lasted visited China in 2005, while then Minister of National Defence General Cao Gangchuan visited Singapore in 2006.