China's VP arrives in Singapore on way to US
( 2002-04-26 16:53 ) (9 )

Chinese Vice-President Hu Jintao arrived in Singapore Friday, before his week-long official visit to the United States from April 27.

Hu began his overnight visit by meeting Singapore's Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, to be followed by talks with President S. R. Nathan, Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew and Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

In an arrival statement, Hu said relations between China and Singapore had made "enormous headway" since diplomatic ties were established in 1990.

"I look forward to in-depth exchanges of views with the Singaporean leaders on the furtherance of bilateral cooperation and on international and regional issues of common interest," he said.

He said that in view of "profound changes in the international situation," reinforced cooperation between China and Singapore conforms not only to bilateral aspirations and interests but "also helps promote peace, stability and prosperity in the region."

Hu will visit the Civil Service College of Singapore, a predominantly ethnic Chinese city-state which has trained Chinese government officials and has made extensive investments in China.

Earlier this week he met with Malaysian officials led by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad before taking a break in Malaysia's Penang state, which has a large ethnic Chinese population, en route to Singapore.

Hu will fly this weekend to the United States, where he will meet US President George W. Bush and other top US officials in his first official visit there as the Vice President.

Hu is also scheduled to meet with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and World Bank president James Wolfensohn.