Third China-Singapore Forum on Social Governance held in Singapore

Xinhua News Agency

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The third China-Singapore Forum on Social Governance was held in Singapore on Tuesday.

Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the CPC Central Committee Meng Jianzhu and Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean co-chaired the forum and delivered keynote speeches.

Meng said that diversity is the driving force behind the progress of civilizations and a major hallmark of social progress. Rich diversity brings both opportunities and challenges.

In such a context, how to maximize the benefits while minimizing the damage and improve social governance under diversified conditions is a challenge facing all countries in the world, he said, adding though China and Singapore have different national conditions, the two countries have many commonalities in social governance and broad prospects for exchanges and cooperation in this area.

Meng noted that the Chinese government pays special attention to social governance under diversified conditions.

"We have made active efforts for systematic, law-based, integrated, and source-based governance and developed a modern way of social governance that keeps with China's reality and the changing times and meets people's aspirations. We have thus maintained both public security and order as well as kept social vitality," said Meng.

Meng also shared his observations on improving social governance under diverse conditions. It's important to be open and inclusive, as well as provide broad space for innovation in social governance, he said.

Meanwhile, he said it's crucial to cooperate, exchange and share to make sure social governance is systematic, integrated and coordinated.

The official also underscored the importance to uphold democracy, promote self-governance and build a community of shared destiny where everyone fulfills his responsibilities.

In his speech, Teo introduced four dimensions of diversity in Singapore and elaborated on how these are managed in the Singapore context. Teo also expressed the willingness to enhance China-Singapore cooperation in social governance.

Meng called on Teo before the opening ceremony of the forum.

(APD)