China, Singapore vow to enhance defense cooperation

BEIJING -- Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao met Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen here on Thursday.

Li said bilateral relations had seen rapid development since the two countries established diplomatic ties.

Next year marks the 25th anniversary of bilateral relations, he said, adding that he hoped the two sides would take it as an opportunity to develop bilateral ties for the benefit of the people of the two nations.

Ng said Singapore attached great importance to bilateral relations and was committed to boosting major cooperative projects between the two countries.

The visit aimed to foster further reinforcement of bilateral defense and military relations, he said.

Vice Chairman of China's Central Military Commission Xu Qiliang also met with Ng on Thursday.

Xu said Singapore was a friendly neighbor, noting that bilateral military cooperation had expanded in recent years.

He praised the pragmatic cooperation and close coordination between the two armed forces, adding that China highly valued the relationship and it was willing to work with Singapore to promote the healthy development of bilateral military relations.

Ng said Singapore was committed to working with China to enhance defense relations, boost pragmatic cooperation, so as to jointly safeguard regional peace and stability.

A joint military training exercise by China and Singapore concluded in east China's Jiangsu Province on Sunday.

Seventy personnel from each of the two armies took part in the eight-day training, dubbed "Cooperation 2014", which started on Nov. 2 with professional seminars, armament displays, and tactical presentations.

Ng said that the exercise would enhance relations between the two armed forces.