Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao attended a series of multilateral and bilateral meetings on November 18-22 in Singapore and reached a wide-ranging consensus with other East and Southeast Asian leaders on enhancing regional cooperation.

During his official visit to Singapore, the first by a Chinese premier in eight years, Wen held talks with his counterpart Lee Hsien Loong, President S.R. Nathan, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew.

The two prime ministers agreed to strengthen the role of the joint cooperation commission at the vice-prime minister's level and other consultative mechanisms, take bilateral economic and trade cooperation to a higher level, push forward negotiations on establishing a free trade area and establish a dialogue mechanism on defense policy.

Following the talks, they signed a framework agreement on the construction of an eco-city in Tianjin and officially launched the Singapore-China Foundation, an organization that will advance the two countries' cooperation in education and human resource development.

In a speech delivered at the National University of Singapore, Wen said that China's opening up is comprehensive in nature. "We are open not only to developed countries, but also to developing countries. We are open not only in economy, but also in fields such as science, technology, education and culture," he added.

According to Wen, China's opening-up policy is based on mutual benefit, and China is committed to conducting mutually beneficial cooperation on an equal basis with all other countries in the world.

The premier also attended the 11th ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) plus Three (China, Japan and the Republic of Korea) Summit, the 11th China-ASEAN Summit and the Third East Asia Summit.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the ASEAN plus Three mechanism. At its summit meeting on November 20, Wen made a five-point proposal on strengthening and deepening cooperation among the 10 ASEAN states and China, Japan and the Republic of Korea.

The summit adopted the Second Joint Statement on East Asia Cooperation and the ASEAN Plus Three Cooperation Work Plan 2007-17.

After the China-ASEAN Summit, Wen and ASEAN leaders attended the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding on strengthening China-ASEAN cooperation on human and plant health.

At the East Asia Summit, Wen elaborated on China' position on climate change and the measures the country has taken and further steps it will take to address climate change.

At a trilateral meeting, Wen, Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and the Republic of Korean President Roh Moo Hyun agreed to strengthen their cooperation in fields such as trade, finance, currency stabilization, environmental protection, resource conservation and youth exchanges. They also pledged to enhance their coordination on regional and international issues and hold dialogues on foreign policies concerning Africa.

Wen also held bilateral meetings with leaders of several other countries.

(Source: Xinhua New Agency)