China, Singapore expect BRI to spur development

Chinese military is willing to work with its Singaporean counterpart to promote strategic mutual trust and jointly contribute to maintaining regional peace and stability, according to a senior Chinese military official.

General Wei Fenghe, Chinese State councilor and defense minister, made the remark on Thursday during an official visit to Singapore ahead of the 18th Shangri-La Dialogue, which kicked off on Friday.

During the meeting with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Thursday morning, Wei said China and Singapore have kept up with the times and developed an all-around partnership.

He said China and Singapore are good partners in the course of reform and opening-up, in pursuing mutual benefits and the development of the Belt and Road Initiatives.

Chinese military is willing to work with the Singaporean side to implement the consensus of both leaders, maintain strategic mutual trust and promote Sino-Singapore relations, according to a release from China's Defense Ministry.

Lee said the Singapore government always attaches great importance to the relations with China.

He said the joint efforts by both countries to promote the BRI could boost regional connectivity and economic development, and stressed that China's growth is beneficial to the world.

Under the new circumstances, all countries should make adjustments accordingly, enhance mutual communication and understanding in order to achieve common development, Lee said.

Wei arrived in Singapore on Tuesday and started the official visit under the invitation by Singaporean Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen.

Zhong Tengfei, an expert on Asia-Pacific affairs at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said Wei's visit to Singapore comes in the backdrop of China and Southeast Asian countries deepening exchanges and reaching significant progress in talks on the South China Sea.

Singapore is located in a strategic position because it is the joint connecting the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, and it plays an important role in the region's economy, politics and security, he said.

"Heng Swee Keat, Singapore's minister for finance and deputy prime minister, has just paid a visit to China, so politically, it is certain the two countries have a great consensus in maintaining the relationship," Zhong said, adding that Singapore is also an active participating country in the BRI.

Wei's visit to Singapore and attendance at the Shangri-La Dialogue conveys a positive message that China hopes to further develop regional cooperation with countries in Southeast Asia in a wide range of areas such as marine security and anti-terrorism, he said.