Singapore, Nov 12 (AP) Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has stressed the need for free trade as he drew similarities between his country and Singapore, a bustling regional hub.

Li said on Monday that both countries safeguard multilateralism and free trade, and are pushing for peace in the disputed South China Sea.

Li is on an official visit to Singapore that ends Friday. He is to deliver a lecture and participate in a summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

China is locked in a simmering trade dispute with the U.S., which accuses China of violating market-opening obligations, and the two countries have imposed tariffs on billions of dollars of each other's goods.

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said China and ASEAN share an interest in upholding an open, rules-based multilateral order. AP

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