Premier Mao Chi-kuo today mourned the passing of Lee Kuan Yew, the founding father of Singapore and a staunch friend of Taiwan. Premier Mao requested ROC Representative to Singapore Fadah Hsieh to convey condolences on his behalf to Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Since Singapore became an independent country in 1965, Lee had been a key figure in promoting Taiwan-Singapore relations. He also devoted great efforts to facilitating cross-strait exchanges, pushing for the historic meeting between Koo Chen-fu, chairman of Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation, and Wang Daohan, president of mainland China's Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits. The meeting, hosted by Singapore, paved the way for peaceful talks and stable interactions between Taiwan and mainland China.
Lee was a distinguished visionary and world leader whose unpretentious and disciplined life set an example for all Singaporeans, the Executive Yuan said, and the Southeast Asian nation will miss Lee's noble demeanor. Meanwhile, the international community has lost a wise statesman, and Taiwan mourns the loss of a close friend.
The people and government of the Republic of China will always remember Lee's contributions to promoting Taiwan-Singapore relations and furthering cross-strait peace, the Executive Yuan said.