PM Lee and Malaysian PM Anwar reaffirm close ties on sidelines of Boao forum in China

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PM Lee Hsien Loong and Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim reviewed the progress both countries made in bilateral cooperation, on the sidelines of the Boao Forum in China.

PM Lee Hsien Loong and his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim reviewed the progress both countries have made in bilateral cooperation, on the sidelines of the Boao Forum in China.

PHOTO: MCI

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- Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Thursday reaffirmed the close ties shared by both countries at a bilateral meeting held on the sidelines of

the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference

in Hainan, China.

During the meeting, the two leaders reviewed the progress both countries have made in bilateral cooperation, following

Datuk Seri Anwar’s visit to Singapore in January.

It was Mr Anwar’s first visit to the Republic after he was sworn in as Malaysia’s 10th prime minister in November 2022.

PM Lee and Mr Anwar had witnessed then the signing of three agreements for Malaysia and Singapore to strengthen bilateral cooperation and jointly seize opportunities in the digital economy and green economy. The countries also agreed to work closely on data protection and cyber security.

After the bilateral meeting on Thursday, Mr Anwar posted on Facebook saying that he hopes the close relationship between Singapore and Malaysia will become stronger. PM Lee also posted on Facebook that he had a fruitful catch-up with Mr Anwar.

PM Lee, who arrived in Beijing on Thursday evening and was welcomed by Vice-Foreign Minister Sun Weidong, added that he was glad to see fellow leaders and friends, including Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Boao Forum for Asia chairman Ban Ki-moon, at the annual conference.

He added that he is looking forward to meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping to deepen bilateral ties and cooperation between Singapore and China. PM Lee and Mr Xi are expected to meet on Friday.

PM Lee Hsien Loong (right) met with Communist Party Secretary of Hainan Feng Fei before leaving for Beijing.

PHOTO: MCI

Before his flight to Beijing, PM Lee had a separate meeting with Mr Feng Fei, Communist Party chief of Hainan, where they discussed economic developments in Singapore and Hainan, and explored collaboration opportunities. They also discussed having Singapore as a launch pad for companies in Hainan to venture into South-east Asia, in a move to increase economic exchanges.

PM Lee, along with Mr Anwar and other leaders who spoke at the Boao plenary, also attended a lunch hosted by Premier Li.

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