World leaders congratulate Lawrence Wong on becoming Singapore's new Prime Minister

SINGAPORE: World leaders congratulated Mr Lawrence Wong after he became Singapore's fourth Prime Minister on Wednesday (May 15).

Mr Wong, 51, was sworn in on the front lawn of the Istana on Wednesday night, along with the rest of his Cabinet.

In a social media post on his official accounts on Thursday evening, Mr Wong said Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida had called him to offer their congratulations and that he had thanked them for their well wishes.

"I look forward to working with them to boost bilateral and regional cooperation," read Mr Wong's post.

"There’s much we can do with like-minded countries to achieve win-win outcomes, and steer developments towards continued peace, stability and prosperity for Asia and the world."

CHINA

Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Wednesday congratulated Mr Wong on his appointment as Prime Minister, according to Xinhua news agency.

Mr Li said that over the last 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Singapore and China have deepened political mutual trust and fruitful cooperation in various fields.

Mr Li added that China attaches great importance to the development of China-Singapore relations and expressed his willingness to maintain close communication and cooperation with Mr Wong to promote high-quality cooperation between the two countries.

INDIA

In a post on X, India Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his congratulations to Mr Wong on assuming office.

Mr Modi wrote that he looks forward to working closely with Mr Wong to further advance both countries' strategic partnership.

MALAYSIA

Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi congratulated Mr Wong in a Facebook post on Wednesday. 

He said that under Mr Wong's leadership, "we are confident that Singapore will continue to thrive and prosper".

Mr Zahid also said that he is looking forward to further deepening both countries' partnership in areas such as economic development, education and trade.

Other Malaysian ministers such as Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz and Minister of Youth and Sports Hannah Yeoh also extended their congratulations to Mr Wong.

JAPAN

In extending his congratulations to Mr Wong, Japan Prime Minister Kishida also conveyed his intention to work together to further strengthen bilateral relations.

This is with a view to the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Japan-Singapore diplomatic relations in 2026, Mr Kishida said in his congratulatory letter on Wednesday.

US

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken congratulated Mr Wong and said the US looks forward to further strengthening "the US-Singapore strategic partnership and uphold international norms and standards in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world".

"We will also continue to bolster our strong economic, security, and people-to-people ties for the benefit of the American and Singaporean peoples," Mr Blinken said.

UK 

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in his message of congratulations to Mr Wong, said it was a pleasure to have met him at the G20 Finance Ministers meeting and hopes they will have an opportunity to meet again in person soon.

Mr Sunak noted that there is "enormous potential for our two countries to achieve even more together".

"I am confident that together we will ensure that our partnership delivers even more for our citizens."

EU 

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel also sent their congratulations to Mr Wong.

"As you begin your mandate, you can count on a robust EU-Singapore relationship which we have strengthened together over the past years," Ms Von der Leyen said in a letter to Mr Wong.

"In these times of geopolitical uncertainty, Singapore's unwavering commitment to international law matters more than ever before," she added.

"The European Union stands with you in upholding the United Nations system and the rules-based international order."

Mr Michel said that the European Council hopes to "extend further the cooperation" between the EU and Singapore during Mr Wong's tenure in areas such as digital and green transitions and security and defence.
 

TRIBUTES TO LEE HSIEN LOONG

In separate letters, world leaders also thanked and offered their best wishes to former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Ms von de Leyen praised Mr Lee for guiding Singapore "with calm and rigour". She added that EU-Singapore relations grew steadily under his leadership.

"As you step down as Prime Minister, you may rest in the knowledge of having built a stronger and more prosperous nation that is well-placed to face the future," said Mr Michel in his letter to Mr Lee.

Calling Mr Lee a "visionary leader and a strong partner" for the UK, Mr Sunak said Mr Lee oversaw "a deep expansion of our cooperation for the benefit of all our citizens".

Mr Kishida expressed appreciation that under Mr Lee's leadership, cooperation between Japan and Singapore in a wide range of areas, including the economy and security, has deepened and bilateral relations have been further strengthened.

He also provided comments to CNA about Mr Lee, calling the former Prime Minister a "principled leader who has guided his country for the past two decades with a forward-looking vision".

The Japanese leader added that he has established a very cordial relationship of trust with Mr Lee through six summit meetings since Mr Kishida's inauguration in 2021.

"I have greatly enjoyed engaging in in-depth and insightful discussions with him," he said.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told CNA that he first got to know Mr Lee when he was the First Mayor of Hamburg, a position he held for seven years from 2011.

"Back then, I was already impressed by Singapore's dynamism, innovative strength and energy. As Federal Chancellor, I was happy to further intensify German-Singapore relations with Mr Lee. They are based on the firm foundation that the two countries are committed to international law and multilateralism," said Mr Scholz.

"I am grateful that together we were both able to further strengthen and expand the traditionally very good relations between Singapore and Germany."

Former British prime minister Tony Blair also spoke to CNA about Mr Lee, paying tribute to his ability to be a "consensus builder". 

"One of the things about Singapore is that it's been able to create this sense that even though there are many divisions within the region ... Mr Lee played the part of bridge builder, a consensus builder," Mr Blair said.

"And I think the important way that (Mr Lee) did that ... was that he didn't do it by simply going to the lowest common denominator or splitting the differences between sides," he added.

"He did it in an attempt to find an agreement, but governed by principle."