President Xi's visit to deepen cooperation with Singapore

SINGAPORE - Chinese President Xi Jinping's upcoming visit will enhance mutual trust, expand cultural exchanges, and deepen all-round cooperation between China and Singapore, said the Chinese ambassador.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Ambassador Chen Xiaodong highlighted four points of Xi's tour - important timing of visit, intimate contacts between leaders of the two countries and fruitful achievements as well as warm and unique cultural atmosphere.

The Nov 6-7 visit is the first to Singapore since Xi became the Chinese president in 2013, and it is also the first state visit hosted by Singapore after the Sept 11 election, said Chen.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of China-Singapore diplomatic ties, and also Singapore's golden jubilee.

Singapore's President Tony Tan Keng Yam visited China in early July. It is the first time that leaders of the two countries exchanged visits during the same year.

The upcoming visit will be a meeting between "old friends," as President Xi has met with Singapore's President Tony Tan and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong a few times, said Ambassador Chen.

Xi will meet with President Tan and PM Lee respectively, and he will also attend a state banquet hosted by President Tan. Besides, PM Lee and his wife will have a private lunch with President Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan.

"I think these intimate contacts will certainly enhance friendship between leaders of the two countries," said Chen.