March 23, 2015
No. 044
The government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) today expressed its condolences to Singapore on the passing of Lee Kuan-yew, founding prime minister and former minister mentor of Singapore. President Ma Ying-jeou and Premier Mao Chi-kuo shared the sorrow the ROC’s government and people have felt on Lee’s death through the ROC representative office in Singapore.
Former Minister Mentor Lee had long enjoyed a close relationship with the ROC. He had long been a supporter of the peaceful development of the ROC as well as of cross-strait relations. Lee visited the ROC over two dozen times both as prime minister and since stepping down. He was familiar with and a friend to the ROC. Longstanding ties between the ROC and Singapore have continued to flourish in recent years, as evidenced by the signing of the Agreement between Singapore and Taiwan on Economic Partnership, the first agreement of its type that the ROC has signed with a Southeast Asian nation or with any of its top 10 trade partners. The influence Lee had on the creation of a strong foundation of friendship between the two nations cannot be overstated.
Lee served as Prime Minister from Singapore’s independence until 1990.
While in office, his economic, educational, clean governance, and social welfare policies led to a nation where the government is capable and clean and the people are prosperous. From 1990 through 2011, Lee served successively as Senior Minister and Minister Mentor, continuing to speak out for Singapore’s development, thus showing a lifelong commitment to the welfare of his country. (E)