“Lee has been a staunch friend of the ROC since the establishment of Singapore in 1965,” Ma said. “His passing has deprived the world of a visionary leader and the nation of a true ally.”
According to Ma, the leadership demonstrated by the 91-year-old Lee played an instrumental role in the development of Taiwan-Singapore ties, paving the way over the years for robust exchanges across the cultural, economic and political spheres.
“The forging of the Agreement between Singapore and the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu on Economic Partnership in 2013 is testament to the solid foundation of these relations,” Ma said.
As late President Chiang Ching-kuo’s translator, Ma said he observed firsthand the friendship between the ROC leader and Lee. “He went on to share valuable insights spanning a variety of issues during more than 25 visits to Taiwan.”
Lee also played a significant role in advancing the peaceful development of cross-strait ties, Ma said, citing his contribution in facilitating the historic meeting in Singapore between Koo Chen-fu, chairman of Taipei City-based Straits Exchange Foundation, and Wang Daohan, head of Beijing-headquartered Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits.
“The landmark 1993 meeting paved the way for today’s peaceful dialogue and stable exchanges between the two sides.”
Through his vision and force of character, Lee built Singapore into a first-rate nation and set an example for the world to follow, Ma said. “He was a leading statesman who worked tirelessly to promote Asia’s rise and will be deeply missed.” (YHC-JSM)
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