Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong met Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte yesterday morning, ahead of the opening of the 28th and 29th ASEAN Summits in the afternoon.
During the half-hour meeting, the first between the two leaders, PM Lee congratulated President Duterte on winning the presidential election.
Both leaders also reaffirmed the long and close ties between Singapore and the Philippines and looked forward to the celebrations of the golden jubilee of diplomatic relations in 2019, said Mr Lee’s press secretary, Ms Chang Li Lin.
Mr Duterte’s office said both leaders talked about the illegal drug trade and its effects.
The Philippine President explained his country’s drug problem to Mr Lee.
They also touched on the topic of the West Philippine Sea, including the freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea and the need for a peaceful settlement of disputes.
Mr Lee welcomed Mr Duterte to make a visit to Singapore.
Mr Duterte sparked controversy even before he left the Philippines for the annual ASEAN leaders meeting when he launched into a tirade against United States President Barack Obama for questioning his anti-crime extrajudicial killings.
The Philippines will take on the ASEAN chairmanship next year, with Laos set to formally pass the baton at the close of this year’s summit tomorrow.
AFP, Reuters, Lianhe Zaobao
PM meets China, Australia leaders
ASEAN summit Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong met Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull yesterday. He congratulated Mr Li on China’s successful chairmanship of the recent G-20 summit, PM Lee’s press secretary Chang Li Lin said.
“Both leaders affirmed the dynamic, broad and deep relations between ASEAN and China at all levels,” she added.
ASEAN and China will celebrate their silver jubilee of dialogue relations at the ASEAN-China Commemorative Summit today.
PM Lee said Singapore, as country coordinator for ASEAN-China dialogue relations, will continue to work constructively and objectively with ASEAN members and China to advance the relationship for mutual benefit.
Mr Lee recalled his good meetings last week with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Hangzhou, as well as Chongqing party secretary Sun Zhengcai during his visit to the city.
Meanwhile, Mr Turnbull welcomed Mr Lee’s visit to Australia next month, and looked forward to Mr Lee’s address to the joint sitting of the Federal Parliament.
Both leaders affirmed the excellent relationship between the two countries and welcomed the elevation of bilateral relations arising from the Singapore-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
This article was first published on September 7, 2016.
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