Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, meets with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in Beijing, capital of China, March 31, 2023. [Xinhua/Yue Yuewei]

BEIJING -- China's top legislator Zhao Leji met with Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in Beijing on Friday.

Zhao, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, China-Singapore relations maintained sound development momentum. China regards Singapore as an important partner and is willing to deepen pragmatic cooperation with Singapore in various fields, jointly promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and safeguard regional prosperity and stability.

Noting that China has put forward the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, which offer China's proposals for resolving development and security challenges and promoting human progress, Zhao said China is ready to work with Singapore to accelerate the implementation of these important initiatives.

Zhao said China's NPC is willing to strengthen friendly exchanges with the Singaporean Parliament and carry out legislative exchanges in emerging areas, social governance and people's livelihood to provide legal guarantees for deeper and more solid bilateral cooperation.

For his part, Lee congratulated China on the successful convening of the "two sessions" and agreed to strengthen cooperation between the legislative bodies of Singapore and China.

Noting that the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China has drawn up a bright blueprint for China's development, Lee said Singapore is willing to strengthen strategic synergy with China, make good use of the cooperation platforms between the two countries, deepen pragmatic cooperation in various fields, and build an all-round, high-quality and forward-looking partnership.

Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, meets with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in Beijing, capital of China, March 31, 2023. [Xinhua/Yue Yuewei]