Singaporean Deputy PM meets with Chinese VP

SINGAPORE, March 28 -- Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean on Saturday met with Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao, who will attend the state funeral of Singapore's former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew as a special envoy of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Li conveyed deep condolences for the passing of Lee on behalf of President Xi, the Chinese government and the Chinese people.

Lee's departure is not only a loss for the Singaporean people, but also a loss for Asia and the global community, he said.

Lee was an old friend of the Chinese people and the founder, pioneer and promoter of China-Singapore relations, said Li, stressing that the traditional friendly cooperation between the two countries should be treasured and continued by further enhancing high-level exchanges and stepping up pragmatic cooperation, therefore bringing the China-Singapore ties to a new level.

On his part, Teo expressed thanks to Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiangand other leaders for sending wreaths to the Singaporean Embassy in Beijing to pay respects to the former prime minister.

Teo also noted that the Chinese VP's attending of Lee's state funeral reflected that China pays special attention to the China- Singapore ties.

Teo said Lee has made great efforts to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, who devoted himself to promoting China-Singapore cooperation in many areas, including the establishment of an industrial park in China's eastern city of Suzhou.

As the year of 2015 marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Teo said that Singapore is willing to work with China to deepen cooperation.

Lee, Singapore's founding father, served as prime minister from 1959 to 1990 and then as a senior minister and minister mentor. He died early Monday at the age of 91.

Lee's state funeral is slated for Sunday.