BEIJING — State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe met with Singapore’s Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Melvyn Ong on Sept 5 in Beijing.

Wei, who said relations between China and Singapore have been steadily consolidated and deepened, expressed China’s willingness to work with Singapore to strengthen high-level strategic communication as well as push forward practical cooperation in fields such as joint exercises and training and exchanges between think tanks.

He also said China stands ready to make joint efforts with Singapore to promote the two countries’ partnership of comprehensive cooperation and actively safeguard regional peace and stability.

Ong said Singapore values China’s role in international and regional affairs and is willing to strengthen cooperation with China, increase strategic trust between the two sides, and boost the development of the two countries’ military relations.