Singapore sends condolences after passing of former Hong Kong leader Tung Chee Hwa

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Friday (Sept 11) conveyed Singapore's condolences to Hong Kong after the passing of its former chief executive Tung Chee Hwa on Sept 8 .

The 89-year-old served as Hong Kong's first chief executive from 1997 to 2025, following its handover from the United Kingdom to China.

In a letter to Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee on behalf of the Singapore Government, PM Wong described Tung as "an old friend of Singapore".

He recalled that Tung had good relationships with successive generations of Singapore leaders, including former Prime Ministers Lee Kuan Yew, Goh Chok Tong, and Lee Hsien Loong.

"Under Mr Tung’s leadership, cooperation between Singapore and Hong Kong deepened, helping to lay the foundations for the close ties we enjoy today."

Recalling his visit to Hong Kong in 2019 when he was Minister for National Development, PM Wong said that he remembered Tung as a leader who thought deeply about the challenges facing the region, and who believed strongly in the importance of cooperation.

PM Wong also noted that Tung had steered Hong Kong through a defining chapter in its history after its return to China.

This included the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis and the 2003 SARS outbreak.

"His service paved the way for Hong Kong’s long-term development and prosperity in the years to come under the “One Country, Two Systems” framework.

"He will be remembered for his steady and visionary leadership," PM Wong said.

新加坡总理黄循财于周五（9月11日）就香港前行政长官董建华于9月8日逝世一事向香港表达了新加坡的慰问。

这位 89 岁的老人在香港从英国回归中国后，于 1997 年至 2025 年担任香港首任行政长官。

黄之锋总理代表新加坡政府致信香港特首李显龙，称董建华是“新加坡的老朋友”。

他回忆说，董建华与新加坡历代领导人关系良好，包括前总理李光耀、吴作栋和李显龙。

“在董建华先生的领导下，新加坡与香港之间的合作不断深化，为我们今天享有的紧密关系奠定了基础。”

黄之锋总理回忆起2019年时任国家发展部长访问香港的情景，表示他记得董建华是一位对本地区面临的挑战进行深入思考的领导人，并且坚信合作的重要性。

黄之锋总理还指出，董建华带领香港走过了回归中国后历史上一个具有决定性意义的篇章。

这其中包括 1997 年亚洲金融危机和 2003 年 SARS 疫情。

“他的贡献为香港在‘一国两制’框架下的未来长期发展和繁荣铺平了道路。”

黄循财总理表示：“人们会铭记他稳健而富有远见的领导才能。”