Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's high-profile visit to China demonstrates the two countries are seeking political ties mirroring their close economic relationship.

　　In his first official visit to China since taking office, Lee has met President Hu Jintao, top lawmaker Wu Bangguo, Premier Wen Jiabao and top political adviser Jia Qinglin in Beijing.

　　"Lee's visit can be regarded as a tour for deeper political ties," said Zhai Kun, a scholar with the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations.

　　Relations between China and Singapore chilled after Lee's visit to Taiwan as deputy prime minister in July 2004. But over the past few months, China-Singapore ties have been gradually repaired with Singapore's repeated promise of adhering to the one-China policy and high-level visits.

　　"China-Singapore political ties have returned back to normal and Lee's visit is likely to bring the relationship to a new level," Zhai said.

　　At the invitation of Premier Wen, Lee arrived in Beijing with a large entourage of Cabinet ministers and a 40-member business delegation.

　　Zhai said China and Singapore have complementary economies.

　　"As a mater of fact, Singapore has already taken the lead in expanding cooperation with China in the financial sector," Zhai said.

　　Reports said the Singaporean state-owned investment giant Temasek Holdings has bought shares in two of China's top four state-owned banks, the Bank of China and the China Construction Bank, as well as a private bank, the China Minsheng Banking Corporation.

　　In addition, the Singaporean government also actively expressed its interest in participating in China's plans of developing its northeast and northwest regions.

　　"The Singaporean government has shown great political wisdom and insight in expanding economic cooperation with China, especially in encouraging its businessmen to seek opportunities in China's northeast and northwest regions," Zhai said.

　　Chinese customs figures show that in the first eight months of this year, Sino-Singaporean trade amounted to nearly US$21 billion, close to last year's figure.

　　Lee's visit has drawn attention to China-Singapore free trade pact negotiations.

　　Reports said Singapore has long wished to start one-on-one negotiations with China under the framework of China-ASEAN free trade.