Beijing, September 9th—Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), met here today with a delegation led by Vivian Balakrishnan, Chairman of the External Relations Committee of the People's Action Party (PAP) and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore. 

Liu said, at the beginning of this year, the CPC and the PAP reached consensus on establishing an annual exchange of visits mechanism. The visit of the PAP marks the official launch of the mechanism. The CPC is willing to maintain close exchanges with the PAP, strengthen political dialogue, and have in-depth communication on respective development strategies, major policy concepts, etc., to enhance mutual understanding, promote practical cooperation in various fields, continuously improve respective governance capabilities, and promote China-Singapore all-round high-quality future-oriented partnership for new progress. 

Balakrishnan said, the current international situation and the domestic situation in Singapore and China have undergone great changes. It is crucial for the ruling parties of the two countries to strengthen exchanges and cooperation. The PAP is willing to, together with the CPC, make good use of the annual exchange of visits mechanism between the two Parties, strengthen high-level exchanges, deepen exchanges and mutual learning of experience in state governance and administration, and jointly respond to common challenges such as population aging, youth employment, and technological revolution. China's development has benefited Singapore. The Singaporean side is willing to strengthen cooperation with the Chinese side in various fields and promote relations between the two countries for greater development. Both Singapore and China support economic globalization and multilateralism. The Singaporean side is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with the Chinese side on international and regional affairs. 

Both sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern. 

Sun Haiyan, Vice-minister of the IDCPC, Sim Ann, Deputy Party Whip of the PAP, Chair of the Women's Wing of the PAP, and Senior Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National Development of Singapore, Zaqy Mohamad, Senior Minister of State in the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Manpower, Eric Chua, Senior Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and Ministry of Social and Family Development, and others, were present.