http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1130708/1/.html
Lee Kuan Yew meets Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping
By Maria Siow | Posted: 23 May 2011 2150 hrs
Lee Kuan Yew
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Lee Kuan Yew
BEIJING: Mr Lee Kuan Yew met Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday.
It is Mr Lee's first visit outside of Singapore after the General Election held on May 7.
During the meeting, Mr Xi congratulated the ruling People's Action Party on its electoral victory. He said this will be beneficial to the island's social and political stability, and in forging bilateral ties.
Mr Xi described Mr Lee as an old friend and a respected statesman who had laid the foundation for Sino-Singapore ties.
Mr Lee who recently resigned from the Singapore cabinet, is Senior Advisor to the Government Investment Corporation of Singapore (GIC).
Mr Lee also met Central Committee Political Bureau Member Liu Yunshan. Mr Liu said that Mr Lee is one of the most familiar foreign leaders among the Chinese.
In response, Mr Lee said Singapore hopes to build good relations with China, as a strong and prosperous China is to the island's advantage.
Both Chinese leaders said they hoped Mr Lee could continue to visit China every year and share his views on regional and international issues.
Mr Lee will be in Tokyo from May 24 to 27, where he will attend the 17th International Conference on "The Future of Asia" organised by the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei).
-CNA/ac