On May 3, Minister Li Ganjie met with Mr. Masagos Zulkifli Bin Masagos Mohamad, Minister of the Environment and Water Resources of Singapore in Beijing. The two sides had in-depth discussions on enhancing bilateral cooperation on ecological and environmental protection.

China and Singapore have maintained good ties in the ecological and environmental area, said Li. The two sides have yielded significant outcomes in the bilateral cooperation on developing the environmental protection industry and building eco-cities, and made positive contributions to deepening bilateral ties and promoting regional sustainable development.

The Chinese Government decided to establish the Ministry of Ecology and Environment by integrating the original functions of the former MEP with some relevant functions of six other State departments. The new ministry shall unify and exercise the ecological conservation and pollution regulation and compliance inspection functions, added Li. This decision is of great significance to strengthening environmental pollution control, safeguarding national ecological security, and building a beautiful China.

The objective of the ecological and environmental protection in China by 2020 is to resolutely put up a tough fight against pollution, emphasized Li. We will secure a victory in defending the blue skies, vigorously fight the battle to defend clean waters, and make solid progress in the fight for clean soils. We will improve the ecological and environmental quality and provide solid environmental foundation for securing a decisive victory in completing the building of a moderately prosperous society. The proposal of Singaporean side for closing the bilateral ties in the area of ecological and environmental protection echoes the ongoing development trends of the two countries and the bilateral cooperation needs. The Chinese side is ready to have further discussions with the Singaporean side and sign an framework agreement of cooperation at a proper timing.

The two sides reached initial consensus on key areas and potential areas of cooperation, including, inter alia, circular economy, the development of ecological civilization, environmental innovation, and environmental governance capacity. They also had discussions on the green "belt and road" initiative, the ecological and environmental cooperation under China-ASEAN framework, and the response to climate change. Moreover, they exchanged views on such issues as the ASEAN enlarged ministerial meeting on climate change, China-ASEAN Environmental Cooperation Forum, and the 2019 Asia-Pacific Environment Ministers' Meeting.

Mr. Masagos Zulkifli Bin Masagos Mohamad congratulated Li on the foundation of the new ministry, and spoke highly of China's notable progress in ecological and environmental protection. Also, he gave full recognition to China's display of an image as a responsible country for global environmental protection, and introduced the progress made by Singapore in the ecological and environmental protection over the past few years. The Singaporean Minister hoped to continue to deepen and enlarge their cooperation with China in the ecological and environmental protection area, share the theories and practices in ecological civilization and green development, and together promote global ecological and environmental governance.