Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (L) shakes hands with his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong after signing the Framework Agreement for the Development of the Sino-Singapore Eco-city Project in Singapore on Nov. 18, 2007. Wen Jiabao arrived in Singapore on Sunday for an official visit and would attend a series of regional summit meetings to be held in the country. (Xinhua Photo)

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao addresses the welcoming dinner held by his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong in Singapore on Nov. 18, 2007. (Xinhua Photo)

    SINGAPORE, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong reached important common understanding on enhancing mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation during their talks on Sunday, according to a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman.

    The bilateral relations between China and Singapore have seen big progress and have turned to a track of rapid, stable and mature development, though the two countries established diplomatic ties only 17 years ago, Wen said during the talks.

    The two countries have maintained frequent high-level visits and deepened political trust while the economic cooperation is pragmatic, efficient and fruitful, Wen said.

    China and Singapore have also kept close contact and coordination on regional issues, he added.

    "We highly appreciate that the Singaporean government has repeatedly stated its one-China policy and its opposition to 'Taiwan independence' activities," Wen Jiabao said.

    The Chinese Premier pointed out that China and Singapore are both important Asian countries that share common interests in many areas.

    Strengthening bilateral cooperation, which is a common aspiration, conforms to the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples and is conducive to promoting peace and prosperity in the region, Wen said.

    China is willing to make joint efforts with Singapore to push the bilateral friendly cooperation to a new height, he said.

    Lee Hsien Loong, on his part, said that Singapore, taking China as an important partner, attaches great importance to developing relations with China from strategic perspective and hopes to expand contact and cooperation between the two countries.

    Lee reiterated that Singapore firmly adheres to one-China policy and opposes "Taiwan independence", adding that the position is the foundation of the strategic partnership between Singapore and China and will not change.

    Adhering to one-China policy and safeguarding cross-straits peace is of great significance to the stability and prosperity in Asia and the world as a whole, Lee said.

    Singapore and China share similar and identical views on many important issues and the two countries respect and trust each other, he said.

    The two prime ministers agreed to expand cooperation in the following areas:

    -- to keep on high-level exchange of visits and exchange views on important bilateral, regional and international issues in time.

    -- to strengthen the role of the joint cooperation commission at the vice-prime ministers' level and other consultative mechanism and map out a blueprint and push forward cooperation in various fields.

    -- to carry out pragmatic cooperation and bring the bilateral economic and trade cooperation to a higher level.

    -- to intensify cooperation in the human resource area and actively implement the cooperation agreements on people-to-people contacts and training.

    -- to push forward negotiations on establishing a Free Trade Area in a flexible, pragmatic manner.

    -- to initiate the eco-city project as quickly as possible and let it be a highlight in bilateral cooperation.

    -- to establish a dialogue mechanism on defense policy and step up coordination and cooperation in regional and international affairs so as to promote the cooperation process in East Asia.

    The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, including the situation in Myanmar

    National reconciliation should be restored and peace, stability and development should be ensured in Myanmar through the mediation of the United Nations and through its own efforts as well, Wen Jiabao told a press briefing after the talks.

    The two prime ministers also jointly signed a framework agreement on the construction of an eco-city in Tianjin, China, and officially launched the Singapore-China Foundation which is aimed to advance cooperation in education and human resource development.

    Wen Jiabao arrived in Singapore on Sunday afternoon for an official visit to the country at the invitation of Lee Hsien Loong, who held a welcoming ceremony for Premier Wen at the presidential palace.

    It is the first visit by a Chinese premier to Singapore in eight years.

    Wen is scheduled to meet with Singaporean President S.R. Nathan, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew on Monday.

    After the visit, Wen will attend the 11th ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) plus Three (China, Japan and the Republic of Korea) Summit, the 11th China-ASEAN Summit, the third East Asia summit, and the eighth annual meeting of leaders of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK).