BEIJING — Premier Li Keqiang met with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in Beijing on April 29.

Premier Li said an upgraded free trade agreement between China and Singapore has exerted positive effects, and bilateral cooperation in various fields has been progressing steadily.

China is willing to work with Singapore to speed up negotiations of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, conclude consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea in accordance with set goals, and deepen cooperation within China-ASEAN mechanism, so as to promote stability, development and prosperity in the region, he said.

Lee said Singapore stands ready to actively participate in the Belt and Road Initiative and expand cooperation with China in third-party market, noting that the initiative has made contributions to promoting regional and international cooperation.