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SINGAPORE: Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong started his five-day official visit to China's Fujian province on Monday. This is Mr Goh's third visit to China this year.
Mr Goh was greeted by Xiamen Secretary Yu Wei Guo.
Both leaders said exchanges between Singapore and Fujian have been growing and Xiamen is looking forward to more future co-operation.
Mr Goh said he last visited Xiamen 29 years ago when he was Minister of Trade and Industry and Xiamen has seen good progress since then.
Fujian Province may be overtaken by other cities in recent years, but the recent announcement by the Chinese government to transform Fujian into an economic hub bodes well for the province.
The senior minister said he is interested in exploring business opportunities in the province and he also wants to continue with closer interaction in politics and social exchanges.
Fujian and Singapore share a special relationship and a long history, with half of Chinese Singaporeans - Hokkiens.
Earlier, Mr Goh visited Xiamen University, China's first university that was established by an overseas Chinese, Mr Tan Kah Kee.
A prominent businessman and philanthropist in colonial Singapore, Mr Tan was one of the founding members of Tao Nan School and also the founder of Hwa Chong Institution.
During his visit to Fujian, Senior Minister Goh will also meet Fujian Party Secretary, the governor and leaders of Quanzhou and Fuzhou.
Mr Goh will also explore opportunities for continued bilateral cooperation, and he will meet Singaporeans who are working and living in Fujian. - CNA/vm
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