On November 18, 2007, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao held talks with his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong in Singapore. Both sides reached important common understanding on enhancing mutually beneficial cooperation in a friendly, pragmatic atmosphere.

The bilateral relations between China and Singapore have seen big progress and have turned to a track of rapid, stable and mature development, though the two countries established diplomatic ties only 17 years ago, Wen said during the talks. The two countries have maintained frequent high-level visits and deepened political trust while the economic cooperation is pragmatic, efficient and fruitful, Wen said. China and Singapore have also kept close contact and coordination on regional issues, he added. "We highly appreciate that the Singaporean government has repeatedly stated its one-China policy and its opposition to 'Taiwan independence' activities," Wen Jiabao said.

The Chinese premier pointed out that currently the international and regional situations are undergoing profound and complex changes and the regional cooperation in Asia is still growing. China and Singapore are both important Asian countries that share common interests in many areas. Strengthening bilateral cooperation, which is a common aspiration, conforms to the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples and is conducive to promoting peace and prosperity in the region, Wen said. China is willing to make joint efforts with Singapore to push the bilateral friendly cooperation to a new height, he said.

Lee Hsien Loong said Singapore and China share similar and identical views on many important issues and the two countries respect and trust each other with a firm basis of bilateral ties. He said recent yeas have witnessed frequent political exchanges and closer economic cooperation, hailing the strong moment in the development of bilateral ties. Singapore is fully confident of China's development, Lee said, expressing belief that China's growth is an opportunity to Singapore and Asia at large. Singapore, taking China as an important partner, attaches great importance to developing relations with China from a strategic perspective and hopes to expand contact and cooperation between the two countries, so as to jointly contribute to regional cooperation in East Asia, he added.

Adhering to the one-China policy and safeguarding cross-straits peace is of great significance to the stability and prosperity in Asia and the world as a whole, Lee said. He reiterated that Singapore firmly adheres to the one-China policy and opposes "Taiwan independence", adding that the position is the foundation of the strategic partnership between Singapore and China and will not change.

The two prime ministers agreed to expand cooperation in the following areas:

First, maintain the momentum of high-level contacts and exchange views on bilateral as well as major international and regional issues in a timely manner.

Second, strengthen the role of the joint cooperation commission at the vice-prime ministers' level and other consultative mechanisms and map out a blueprint and push forward cooperation in various fields.

Third, carry out pragmatic cooperation and bring the bilateral economic and trade cooperation to a higher level. Both sides will combine their respective development strategy with bilateral economic and trade cooperation to continuously expand area and innovate ways for cooperation. Both sides will also discuss the possibility of jointly exploring the third party market through various means and participate in international cooperation and competition.

Fourth, intensify cooperation in the human resource area and actively implement the cooperation agreements on people-to-people contacts and training.

Fifth, initiate the eco-city project as quickly as possible and let it be a highlight in bilateral cooperation.

Sixth, push forward negotiations on establishing a Free Trade Area in a flexible, pragmatic manner of mutual understanding and mutual accommodation.

Seventh, establish a dialogue mechanism on defense policy and step up coordination and cooperation in regional and international affairs so as to promote the cooperation process in East Asia.

The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Following the talks, the two prime ministers also jointly signed a framework agreement on the construction of an eco-city in Tianjin, China, and officially launched the Singapore-China Foundation which is aimed to advance cooperation in education and human resource development.

Prior to the talks, Lee Hsien Loong held a welcoming ceremony for Premier Wen Jiabao at the Presidential Palace in Singapore.