Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (left) meets Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) in Beijing, China, March 31.

(Taken from Lee Hsien Loong Facebook)

[Reporter Yang Chengyu/Taipei Report] Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong visited China from March 27 to April 1, attended the Boao Forum for Asia and met with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Some domestic media quoted a press release from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, saying that Lee Hsien Loong said during his meeting with Xi Jinping that "the Taiwan issue is China's internal affair" and that "advocacy of 'Ukraine today, Taiwan tomorrow' will bring unpredictable and serious consequences."

In this regard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of my country responded today (1) that the content was quoted from Chinese official media, and there was a clear discrepancy with the press release of the Singapore government and related media reports.

According to the press release of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lee Hsien Loong stated that "almost all countries in the world recognize that there is only one China in the world" and that they all develop friendly and cooperative relations with China on the basis of the "one China policy".

The Taiwan issue is China's internal affair, and advocating "Ukraine today, Taiwan tomorrow" will bring unpredictable and serious consequences.

Singapore advocates that countries should respect each other, coexist peacefully, cooperate for mutual benefit, avoid conflicts, and jointly address risks and challenges.

Even if there is competition, it must be based on mutual respect and trust. It cannot be "black or white, choose sides."

However, what China claimed did not appear in the press release of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore.

Please read on...

The press release of Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointed out that Lee Hsien Loong congratulated Xi Jinping for his re-election as President of the country and the successful convening of the "two sessions".

In reaffirming the sound bilateral relationship, Lee Hsien Loong and Xi Jinping agreed to upgrade the relationship between Singapore and China to an "all-round, high-quality, forward-looking partnership", reflecting the two sides' commitment to continuously expand bilateral cooperation and forward-looking in the digital and green economy. Seek new cooperation in the field.

The two also agreed that the two sides should strive to restore flights and personnel exchanges to pre-epidemic levels.

The press release of Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs also mentioned that Xi Jinping introduced China's domestic priorities to Lee Hsien Loong, and Lee welcomed China's efforts to reform and modernize, and emphasized that Singapore is willing to strengthen economic exchanges with China.

In addition, Lee Hsien Loong and Xi Jinping also exchanged views on regional and international developments.

Lee Hsien Loong welcomed China's more active participation in ASEAN, and the two sides reaffirmed the importance of an open, peaceful and inclusive region.

Regarding Lee Hsien Loong's meeting with Xi Jinping, my country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it will continue to pay close attention to relevant developments.

Domestic media quoted Chinese official media to report the content of Lee Hsien Loong's meeting with Xi Jinping, which was significantly different from the Singaporean government's press release and related media reports.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not accept such reports that have not been verified in balance and are intended to affect the positive development of Taiwan-Star relations.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China stated that Singapore is an important partner of my country's "New Southbound Policy". Taiwan and Singapore cooperate closely in various fields such as economy, trade, culture and education. The bilateral relationship is solid and friendly, and the friendship will last forever.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also noticed that Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong mentioned in his speech at the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia on March 30 that he was highly concerned about the regional situation and called on all parties to cooperate peacefully to contribute to regional and global development and prosperity. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Affirmative to this.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that China has spared no effort to suppress our country's diplomatic space. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs once again warned the Beijing authorities that Taiwan, the Republic of China, is a sovereign and independent country that is not affiliated with the People's Republic of China. This is the fact and the status quo.

Taiwan will not succumb to the pressure and coercion of the Chinese authoritarian government, and will continue to work with like-minded countries to maintain regional peace and stability.