Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong began an official three-day visit to China from September 19, 2017, at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. He was accorded a formal welcome with guard of honour at the Great Hall of the People and had a meeting with Li Keqiang later that afternoon. He met Chinese President Xi Jinping and CDIC Chairman and PBSC member Wang Qishan on September 20, 2017. After visiting Beijing, Lee Hsien Loong was to visit Xiamen in Fujian province for lunch with the local Party chief You Quan. While a number of agreements on economy and trade were reached, noticeable divergence on joining the BRI continues to remain. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said "China is willing to synergize the Belt and Road Initiative with Singapore's development strategy to improve trade and investment cooperation," but Lee Hsien Loong side-stepped a response and proposed more partnership in finance, science and technology and innovation.
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