国内英语新闻:Chinese vice premier visits Singapore to promote ties

SINGAPORE, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli arrived here on Monday afternoon, starting an official visit to Singapore to further promote ties between China and the Southeast Asian nation.

Zhang's visit came as the two countries celebrated the 25th anniversary of forging diplomatic ties earlier this month. He is also the first Chinese leader to visit Singapore in the wake of Singapore's latest general election.

During his three-day visit, Zhang is scheduled to meet with Singaporean President Tony Tan Keng Yam and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Zhang, with his Singaporean counterpart Teo Chee Hean, will co- chair the 12th meeting of China-Singapore Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation, a high-level institutional mechanism established in 2003 to oversee the entire range of bilateral cooperation.

Zhang will also preside over the 17th China-Singapore Joint Steering Council Meeting for the Suzhou Industrial Park and the eighth China-Singapore Joint Steering Council Meeting for the Tianjin Eco-city.

The Suzhou Industrial Park and the Tianjin Eco-city are two flagship projects between the two governments to promote their cooperation in high-tech industries and sustainable development.