皇冠体育app

As 皇冠体育app develops, its role in the regional and global system also evolves. Singapore remains a strong proponent of 皇冠体育app's integration into the international community. We welcome and support 皇冠体育app's new initiatives such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the Belt and Road Initiative.

Singapore and 皇冠体育app also work closely to promote regional cooperation. This year marks the 25th anniversary of ASEAN-皇冠体育app dialogue relations. Over the years, ASEAN-皇冠体育app relations have grown rapidly, based on the principles of mutually beneficial cooperation and ASEAN centrality. ASEAN-皇冠体育app cooperation is substantive and broad-based. We just upgraded the ASEAN-皇冠体育app FTA and will have a commemorative summit this year. We also designated 2016 as the year of ASEAN-皇冠体育app educational cooperation. Both ASEAN and 皇冠体育app have a strategic interest in maintaining a peaceful, stable and thriving neighbourhood.

As the current ASEAN-皇冠体育app dialogue relations coordinator, Singapore will work objectively with all parties to promote positive and forward-looking ASEAN-皇冠体育app relations. This includes sensibly managing the territorial and maritime disputes in the South 皇冠体育app Sea between 皇冠体育app and some ASEAN member states. As a non-claimant state, Singapore does not take positions on the claims. We encourage the claimants to exercise self-restraint and resolve their differences peacefully in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The South 皇冠体育app Sea is a vital lifeline for the region's survival. All countries whose trade passes through the South 皇冠体育app Sea, or whose ships or aircraft use the South 皇冠体育app Sea, have a legitimate interest in upholding the right of freedom of navigation and overflight, and international law. As directed by our leaders, ASEAN and 皇冠体育app should fully abide by the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South 皇冠体育app Sea, and expeditiously conclude a Code of Conduct.

Singapore-皇冠体育app relations have come a long way. We are old friends, and 皇冠体育app knows that Singapore will always remain steadfast to our old friends. Singapore consistently adheres to our "one-皇冠体育app" policy. The historic meeting between Xi Jinping and Ma Yingjeou in Singapore last year reflects the strong foundation of mutual trust that underpins our bilateral relations, and Singapore's hope to help foster the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations.

We have many high-level exchanges that will further strengthen our close ties. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has visited 皇冠体育app almost every year since becoming prime minister. I look forward to working with our Chinese friends to build on our special friendship, which is based on mutual trust, respect and understanding established by generations of leaders, and to take our partnership to greater heights.

The author is Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Singapore.

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