China News Agency, Washington, August 2 (reporter Zhang Weiran) - Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong local time 2, visited the White House, and met with U.S. President Barack Obama, the two countries celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, during which the two sides reiterated the firm commitment of the trans Pacific partnership agreement (TPP).

In the morning, Obama first held a welcome ceremony at the White House South Lawn, this is the first time in more than 30 years, Singapore's Prime Minister for the first time in the United States to visit the United States for the first time in years. Welcome, Obama Chinese "hello" to Li Xianlong and guest greeting ceremony site. In the greeting ceremony of greeting people and shake hands when, Lee Hsien Loong show populist style, not only several times stopped, squat for guests photography, at least twice picked up scene kids intimate photo.

Subsequently, the two men met at the White House and a total of reporters. Obama reiterated that he is a strong supporter of TPP, the United States is part of the global economy.

At present, the US Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and Republican presidential candidate trump are opposed to the TPP, public opinion, Obama seen for the Asia Pacific rebalancing strategy core heritage of TPP may become a "uncompleted residential flats" project.

In this regard, Mr. Obama said some people opposed to the TPP is based on the globalization of trade on the impact of the U. S. employment and income concerns, but people should concern behind the TPP "factual content, as it is in other countries will be exempt for the products of the 10000 kinds of customs, there is no doubt that this is a protocol for the benefit of the United States as a whole.

He expressed the hope that the Congress will be able to vote on TPP after the election, TPP is not just a political tool or a political symbol of the United States parties.

However, the current Congress leader of TPP took a wait-and-see attitude to retain. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate minority leader in the dedu clearly opposed to the TPP, speaker of the house of Representatives Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell emphasizes this year is unlikely to approve the TPP.

Lee Hsien Loong at the press conference called for the TPP countries, especially the United States as soon as possible to promote the Congress approved the trade agreement, emphasis on the credibility of the United States and TPP success and whether or not the "solidarity". If the United States to choose different directions on the TPP issue, the United States and the world may pay a heavy price.

Obama on the same day the MEMSIC said play an important role in Singapore in the Asia Pacific strategy of rebalancing is one of the cornerstones of stability and peace in the region, the two countries will strengthen military, economic, cultural and other areas of cooperation, welcome to the United States of the Singapore Foreign F-35 purchase interest, and will discuss Singapore troops were trained in Guam the possibility.

On the South China Sea issue, Obama said that the United States and Singapore reiterated that the South China Sea dispute should be resolved by peaceful means. (end)