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President Halimah, PM Lee congratulate counterparts on 70th anniversary of People's Republic of China

Singapore President Halimah Yacob, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Tuesday, May 14, 2019. (Jason Lee/Pool Photo via AP)
Singapore President Halimah Yacob and Chinese President Xi Jinping. (PHOTO: Jason Lee/Pool Photo via AP)

SINGAPORE — President Halimah Yacob and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong have written congratulatory messages to their Chinese counterparts ahead of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China on 1 October (Tuesday).

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs carried their respective letters on its website.

In her letter to China President Xi Jinping, President Halimah said that China has undergone a “phenomenal transformation over the last 70 years, overcoming many challenges to achieve rapid economic growth and uplift its people’s livelihoods”.

She added, “China has also become an important partner on the global stage in areas including international trade, climate change and sustainable development. As China continues to reform and open up, its growth and development will benefit not only the people of China but also our region and the world.”

Halimah, who will be making a state visit to China next year, listed three long-term government-to-government projects that demonstrate the “excellent relations” between Singapore and China: the Suzhou Industrial Park which is into its 25th year, the Tianjin Eco-city, and the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity-New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor.

Meanwhile, PM Lee also wrote a congratulatory letter to Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, emphasising the “excellent relations” between the two countries.

“Generations of our leaders have had close working relationships. Our robust economic ties have been further strengthened by the upgrade of the China-Singapore Free Trade Agreement last year,” he said.

“We look forward to the expeditious conclusion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, which will signal our strong commitment towards free trade and promoting regional development.”

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