BEIJING, June 12 (Xinhua) -- China and Singapore can increase cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative via setting up platforms for connectivity, finance and third-party market, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Monday.
Wang made the remarks while holding talks with his Singaporean counterpart Vivian Balakrishnan, who paid an official visit to China from Sunday to Monday.
Hailing the sound development of bilateral ties with Singapore since the beginning of this year, Wang said the two countries need to continue to implement the consensus reached by both leaders and promote the "partnership of all-round cooperation in keeping with the times."
China welcomes Singapore's participation in Belt and Road construction and is ready to work with the country to carry out the Belt and Road MOU, Wang said.
Balakrishnan said the Belt and Road Initiative is of historic importance and Singapore has supported it from the very beginning as it connects Asia, Europe and Oceania and brings prosperity to all.
Singapore is an important point along the Belt and Road and could provide support to the financing of the initiative as it is a regional financial hub, Balakrishnan told media at a joint press conference held after the talks.
The connectivity projects conducted by Singapore and China in southwestern China's Chongqing Municipality could also join the land and maritime Silk Roads, he said, adding that Singapore is willing to better align its economic development strategies with China.
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