Chinese President Hu Jintao met here Wednesday with Singapore President S.R. Nathan. They praised the development of bilateral ties and pledged to further cooperation.

"We attach great importance to the relations with Singapore," Hu told Nathan during the meeting at the Great Hall of the People, saying that China-Singapore relations had witnessed remarkable development since the two forged diplomatic ties 20 years ago.

"We applaud Singapore's adherence to the one-China policy and its support to our national reunification," Hu said.

Hu said that China would work with Singapore to enhance political mutual trust and actively carry out the China-Singapore and China-ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) free trade agreements.

He also expressed his hope that the two nations would increase bilateral cooperation in the high-tech and human resources sectors to achieve mutually successful results and common development.

Nathan said China's economic growth was conducive to Singapore and the region at large. He welcomed more Chinese businesses to invest in his country and conduct mutually beneficial cooperation.

The two presidents spoke highly of the development of the Suzhou Industrial Park and the Tianjin Eco-City in China as landmark projects of China-Singapore cooperation.

Speaking on behalf of the Singaporean government and people, Nathan extended his sympathy to the Chinese people in the mudslide-hit areas in Zhouqu County in Gansu.

Top Chinese political advisor Jia Qinglin also met with Nathan Wednesday. During the meeting, Jia said the two nations should enhance exchanges and cooperation in environmental protection, personnel training and the improvement of people's living standards.

Hailing the good-neighborly friendship and expanding cooperation between the two nations, Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), also praised relations between China and the ASEAN.

Jia said China and the ASEAN should take the opportunity of next year's 20th anniversary of the China-ASEAN partnership to advance relations between the two sides.

Nathan agreed that Singapore would work with China to expand cooperation between the two nations.

Besides Beijing, Nathan will visit China's economic hub, Shanghai, where the 2010 World Expo is being held.

(Xinhua News Agency August 18, 2010)