Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) meets with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2012. (Xinhua/Zhang Duo)

BEIJING -- President Hu Jintao said on Tuesday that China's development cannot be separated from Asia while Asia's development cannot do without China.

Hu made the remarks in a meeting with visiting Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Great Hall of the People in downtown Beijing.

"China steadily pursues the foreign policy of building good-neighborly relationship and partnership with neighboring countries," Hu said, adding China also promotes an in-depth development of regional cooperation.

He said China will support the integration of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as well as ASEAN's leading role in East Asian cooperation.

China is ready to work with ASEAN countries including Singapore to create a regional environment featuring peace, stability, equality, mutual trust, win-win and cooperation, the president said.

Lee echoed Hu saying the Asian countries have the capability to maintain regional stability and economic growth through their cooperation.

Singapore highly appreciates China's participation in regional cooperation, and welcomes and supports the ASEAN on its efforts to strengthen its partnership of cooperation with China, Lee said.

He added that Singapore will work with China to promote regional integration so to benefit regional peoples.

Invited by his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao, Lee started his official China visit on Sunday afternoon. He will also meet top legislator Wu Bangguo, Vice President Xi Jinping and Vice Premier Li Keqiang, and hold talks with Wen Jiabao.