[Call on China VP Xi Jinping and Meeting with FM Yang Jiechi]
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PRESS STATEMENT
VISIT OF MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS GEORGE YEO TO THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, 19 AUGUST 2009


Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo, who is on an official visit to the People’s Republic of China (PRC), called on PRC Vice President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing today. Vice President Xi and Minister Yeo expressed satisfaction at the excellent state of Singapore-China ties across all levels. Vice President Xi reaffirmed China’s strategic and long-term approach to Singapore-China relations. Minister Yeo reiterated Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew’s invitation for Vice President Xi to visit Singapore. Welcoming Minister Yeo’s forthcoming visit to Tibet, Vice President Xi said that Minister Yeo could see the reality of the situation in Tibet for himself. Vice President Xi and Minister Yeo also agreed that both countries should work together to further strengthen ASEAN-China relations.

Minister Yeo met and was hosted to lunch by PRC Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi earlier today. During their meeting, the two Ministers exchanged views on the current state of Singapore-China relations. They also discussed PRC Vice Premier Wang Qishan’s forthcoming visit to Singapore the following week and PRC President Hu Jintao’s participation at the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Singapore in November. The Ministers also agreed that Singapore and China should work closely together bilaterally and regionally, especially through fora such as ASEAN, ASEAN Plus Three, East Asia Summit and APEC.

Minister Yeo called on National People's Congress Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman and former Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing yesterday.

Minister Yeo will depart Beijing today for Qinghai province and Tibet Autonomous Region, and is scheduled to meet the local leaders in Qinghai and Tibet.

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