
Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) meets with Singaporean President
S.R. Nathan in Beijing, China, Aug. 15, 2008. S.R. Nathan is here watching the
Beijing Olympic Games. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)
BEIJING, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao met here on Friday
with Singaporean President S. R. Nathan on the sidelines of the Beijing Olympic
Games to exchange views on bilateral relations and other issues of mutual
interest.
Hu thanked Nathan for his country's support for the Beijing Games and
wished the Singaporean athletes score good results in the competitions.
Nathan praised Beijing for its grand and spectacular Olympics opening
ceremony held last Friday night, the well-organized competitions and the happy
communication among worldwide friends in the host city, saying China's
successful hosting of the Games is a pride for all the Asian people.
Hu said China values its relations with Singapore and the two countries are
highly complementary in economic and social development.
"Under the complicated and ever-changing international situation, we should
further enhance cooperation and seek common development," Hu said, adding that
China is willing to work together with Singapore to keep promoting bilateral
relations to new highs.
Singapore cherishes its relations with China, said Nathan, adding that his
country expects to strengthen the friendly and reciprocal cooperation with China
and enhance their communication and coordination in international and regional
affairs.
China's development benefits Singapore and Asia at large, Nathan said,
adding that his country would stand together with China.
Hu expressed thanks for Singapore's assistance to China following the
8.0-magnitude earthquake that hit its southwestern Sichuan Province on May 12,
and briefed Nathan on the relief work and post-quake reconstruction.
The Singaporean president arrived in Beijing on Tuesday afternoon to watch
the Beijing Olympics.