PM Wong sends condolences to China over death of former premier Zhu Rongji

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has extended condolences to China on the passing of former Premier Zhu Rongji, who died Wednesday morning at the age of 97. Zhu, who served as China's premier from 1998 to 2003, was remembered by Wong as an "old friend of Singapore" who played a pivotal role in bolstering relations between the two nations.

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old friend of Singapore

In a letter to current Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Mr Wong highlighted Zhu's "remarkable foresight and resolve" during his extensive public service career. He specifically noted Zhu's contributions to advancing China's economic reforms and guiding the country's entry into the World Trade Organization in 2001. "Premier Zhu will long be remembered for his distinguished contributions to China’s development and to Singapore-China relations," Wong stated.

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remarkable foresight and resolve

Zhu had multiple interactions with Singapore's former prime ministers, Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Chok Tong. Notably, he was the first Chinese leader to deliver the prestigious Singapore Lecture in 1999, an event organized by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. His speech articulated a strategic vision where China's economic growth would benefit Asia and the wider world. Wong added that Zhu's proposal for an ASEAN-China free-trade area has since materialized, with China now a crucial economic partner for Singapore and the region.

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Premier Zhu will long be remembered for his distinguished contributions to China’s development and to Singapore-China relations.

Furthermore, Zhu was an early proponent of the China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park, the inaugural government-to-government project between the two countries. During his tenure as mayor of Shanghai, he actively encouraged exchanges between Singaporean and Shanghai officials. "These efforts laid a strong foundation for the close ties and extensive exchanges that our two countries enjoy today," Wong remarked. The former premier is credited with driving China's economic transformation through market reforms and successfully negotiating its WTO accession, despite initial concerns among some Chinese officials about concessions made.

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Today, his vision has been borne out, with China an important economic partner for Singapore and countries across the region.