On September 14, 2001, Chairman Li Peng of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress and his wife Zhu Lin met with Singporean President S.R. Nathan and his wife at the Great Hall of the People.

Li first extended a warm welcome to Nathan for his visit to China in golden autumn. He said that he has visited Singapore twice, in 1990 and 1997, as Chinese premier, and both visits left him with deep and wonderful impressions as he has been accorded a warm welcome and hospitable reception by the Singaporean government and people. He wished the Singporean guest a pleasant stay in China and expressed the hope that President Nathan’s visit will further promote the understanding and friendship between the two peoples and bilateral friendly cooperation of mutual benefits.

Li said that since the two countries established diplomatic relations 10 years ago, leaders of both sides have maintained frequent visits and contacts. Bilateral cooperation in economy and trade, science and technology, culture, education and other fields has resulted in great achievements. The two sides have maintained a good consultation mechanism in international and regional affairs. Li said that at the beginning of the century, Sino-Singaporean relations have displayed an all-round and in-depth development momentum, with which the Chinese side feels satisfied. The Chinese side is willing to work with the Singaporean side to reinforce mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation on the basis of the relevant documents reached by the two sides so as to promote the lasting and stable development of China-Singapore friendly relations and cooperation in the new century. We are fully confident of the prospects of bilateral good-neighborly and friendly relations and cooperation.

Li said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China’s National People’s Congress and the Singaporean parliament has established the bridge of exchanges and cooperation, maintained contacts at all levels, set up bilateral friendship groups, and conducted good cooperation in Parliamentary Unions and Asia-Pacific Parliament Forum. In the new century, we would like to further promote exchanges with the Singaporean parliament at all levels and of all forms, enhance understanding, learn from each other and strengthen contacts and coordination at multi-lateral parliamentary forums.

Li introduced China’s NPC system and legal construction conditions to the Singaporean guests. He emphasized that according to the strategy of ruling the country by law, we attach great importance to democratic and legal development so as to build a socialist country ruled by law. China’s legislative process has been accelerating, and the supervisory work of the National People’s Congress strengthening. A series of important legislation concerning the national economy and social life have been made consecutively, other in the drafting stage or being considered.

President Nathan said that he had a meeting with President Jiang, Vice-President Hu and Chairman Li Ruihuan respectively. They had an in-depth exchange of views on Singapore-China relations and other regional and international issues of common concern. He was glad to meet with Li. Li is an old friend of the Singaporean people and has visited Singapore twice before. Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew and Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong asked Nathan to convey their cordial greetings and good wishes to Li and express the hope that Li will visit Singapore again.

Nathan said that he and his colleagues greatly admire China’s achievements in economic construction and the important role it plays in international affairs. He and his colleagues have deep interest in the great progress China has achieved in legislation and highly appraise the important role that the NPC plays in legal construction. China formulates laws in accordance with its own conditions, which will undoubtedly promote the progress of China's various undertakings.

Finally, Li asked Nathan to convey his cordial greetings and good wishes to Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew, Singaporean parliamentary leader and other Singaporean friends.