BEIJING – Singapore’s Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong met with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on Nov 26. During their meeting, SM Lee shared his experience traveling from Suzhou to Beijing via high-speed rail, praising the journey as “very comfortable and very convenient.”
President Xi warmly welcomed SM Lee, expressing his pleasure in seeing him again and acknowledging his new role as senior minister. Mr. Xi described SM Lee as an “old friend” of the Chinese people and a veteran politician respected in Asia and globally. He also commended Mr. Lee for his significant contributions to Singapore’s achievements and for advancing regional and international cooperation.
The meeting highlighted the enduring ties between Singapore and China, with President Xi congratulating Singapore on its smooth leadership transition earlier in May and emphasizing the importance of continued bilateral collaboration.
SM Lee’s visit marks his first to China as senior minister following his 20-year tenure as prime minister, during which he visited China 14 times. His trip began in Suzhou, where he officiated events commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Suzhou Industrial Park, a key government-to-government project.
In addition to meeting President Xi, SM Lee held discussions with Mr. Wang Huning, chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and a member of the Politburo Standing Committee.
SM Lee is set to conclude his visit in Shanghai, where he will meet party chief Chen Jining, attend a lunch hosted in his honor, and participate in a reception for overseas Singaporeans. Accompanying him are his wife, Mrs. Lee, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, Education Minister Chan Chun Sing, and other senior officials.