On the afternoon of August 18, 2010, Chinese President Hu Jintao met with Singaporean President S.R. Nathan at the Great Hall of the People.

On behalf of the Singaporean government and people, Nathan extended sympathy to the Chinese side over the rain-triggered mudslides in Zhouqu County in China's northwestern Gansu Province. He expressed belief that the Chinese government and people will prevail over the natural disaster. Hu thanked Nathan and the Singaporean government for extending condolences over the disaster.

China-Singapore relations had witnessed remarkable development since the two countries forged diplomatic ties 20 years ago, said Hu, pointing to the close high-level exchanges between both sides. Pragmatic cooperation in all areas has shown strong momentum and is full of vitality. Hu spoke highly of the development of the Suzhou Industrial Park and the Tianjin Eco-City in China as landmark projects of China-Singapore cooperation, saying they have played a good promoting and demonstration role. Both sides have also maintained close communication and coordination in international and regional affairs, especially in developing China-ASEAN relations and promoting East Asian cooperation. "We applaud Singapore's long-standing adherence to the one-China policy and its support of our peaceful reunification," Hu said.

Hu said that as China and Singapore are geographically adjacent and share broad interests, they have great prospects of cooperation. "We attach great importance to the relations with Singapore," Hu told Nathan. Hu said that in the new century, China would work with Singapore to enhance political mutual trust, enrich bilateral ties, make best use of the existing cooperation mechanisms and actively carry out the China-Singapore and China-ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) free trade agreements. He also urged both sides to increase cooperation in such major areas as high-tech, Singapore participating in China's regional development, Chinese enterprises going global and human resources development, so as to push bilateral cooperation to yield more tangible outcomes and achieve mutual benefit and common development.

Nathan said China's success in coping with the global financial crisis and fulfilling the target of economic growth was conducive to Singapore and the region at large. The cooperation in the four key areas proposed by President Hu during his visit to Singapore has scored fruitful results. Singapore is ready to work closely with China to push forward bilateral cooperation in all areas. Nathan welcomed Chinese businesses to take Singapore as a platform for their going global and to invest in his country and conduct mutually beneficial cooperation. Human resources development has become a pillar of bilateral cooperation. He hoped that both sides will conduct exchange of visits and contacts based on mutual respect to build up mutual trust. Nathan expressed belief that with the joint efforts of both sides, the Tianjin Eco-City and other cooperation projects will make new progress. He also reaffirmed Singapore's adherence to the one-China policy.

Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and other officials attended the meeting.