国内英语新闻:Chinese, Singaporean presidents vow to bolster ties

Top Chinese political advisor Jia Qinglin also met with Nathan Wednesday. During the meeting, Jia said the two nations should enhance exchanges and cooperation in environmental protection, personnel training and the improvement of people's living standards.

Hailing the good-neighborly friendship and expanding cooperation between the two nations, Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), also praised relations between China and the ASEAN.

Jia said China and the ASEAN should take the opportunity of next year's 20th anniversary of the China-ASEAN partnership to advance relations between the two sides.

Nathan agreed that Singapore would work with China to expand cooperation between the two nations.

Besides Beijing, Nathan will visit China's economic hub, Shanghai, where the 2010 World Expo is being held.