hinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the role of the youth in the Sino-Singapore relations in a November 7 speech delivered at the National University of Singapore to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the founding of Singapore and the 25^th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties.

President Xi said that since China and Singapore established diplomatic ties 25 years ago, bilateral relations have been increasingly mature with substantial cooperation results in all fields, including commerce, technology, education, environmental protection and social governance.

He added that he hopes young people will play an important role in promoting cultural communication between the two countries. In particular, he cited the photographic works of Shanxi Opera and Lanzhou-made noodles by several Singaporean college students who were studying in China’s north-western city and a film about dreams of 50 Singaporeans made by two Chinese students studying at the National University of Singapore.

The National University of Singapore, founded 110 years ago, has an excellent reputation in cultivating talents including Singaporean leaders Lee Kuan Yew and Tan Keng Yam.

Early in the Ming Dynasty (15^th century), a large fleet headed by Zheng He voyaged to Singapore for several times and the Maritime Experiential Museum of Singapore now displays a duplicated model of his ship to memorize his accomplishment in the world’s navigation history.

Late in the Ming Dynasty and early in the Qing Dynasty, many Chinese people in two Chinese provinces, Guangdong and Fujian, moved to Southeast Asian areas, thus bringing Chinese culture and technology to Singapore.

Chinese President Deng Xiaoping visited Singapore in 1978. China has now become the biggest trade partner of Singapore and Singapore has become one of the most important RMB offshore trading centers.