China to remain a growing export market for Asian countries: Lee Kuan Yew
( 2003-10-14 00:04) (Agencies)
Singapore's Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew said on Monday that China will continue to be a growing export market for Asian countries.
Lee made the point when addressing at a special session of the East Asia Economic Summit, which is being held here on Oct. 12-14.
At the special session called A Conversation with Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew, which attracted around 200 government officials, thinkers and industry leaders in the region, Lee showed some slides to illustrate the growth China has achieved in recent years in terms of gross domestic products and foreign trade activities with the rest of the region.
While China has become the "center for final manufacturing" in Asia and continues to be "a growing export market" for Asian countries, he said, the rest of Asia is increasingly becoming suppliers of components and raw materials to China.
Touching on the Taiwan issue, Lee said that although Singapore is willing to continue its economic relationships with Taiwan, it will not officially recognize Taiwan as a sovereign entity.
The East Asia Economic Summit, which attracted some 800 participants from all over the world, is jointly organized by the World Economic Forum, an independent international organization established in 1971 to provide a collaborative framework to address global issues, and Singapore's Economic Development Board.
The last Summit was held in Malaysia in 2002.
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