Condolence Letter from Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong to Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China (PRC) Li Qiang on the Passing of Former PRC Premier Zhu Rongji, 13 August 2026

Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong has written to Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) Li Qiang to convey condolences on the passing of former PRC Premier Zhu Rongji on 12 August 2026.

The text of the letter is appended.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

SINGAPORE

13 AUGUST 2026

13 August 2026

His Excellency Li Qiang

Premier of the State Council

People’s Republic of China

Dear Premier Li,

          On behalf of the Government of Singapore, I extend my deepest condolences to the people of the People’s Republic of China on the passing of former Premier Zhu Rongji.

          Over his long and illustrious career in public service, Premier Zhu had demonstrated remarkable foresight and resolve in advancing China’s economic reforms and leading its accession to the World Trade Organization in 2001.

          Premier Zhu was an old friend of Singapore. He met Singapore’s former Prime Ministers Mr Lee Kuan Yew and Mr Goh Chok Tong on many occasions. In 1999, he became the first Chinese leader to deliver the Singapore Lecture. His speech reflected his strategic vision that China’s economic development and growth would benefit Asia and the world. Premier Zhu also proposed a Free Trade Area between ASEAN and China so as to deepen economic ties. Today, his vision has been borne out, with China an important economic partner for Singapore and countries across the region.

          Singapore-China relations also made significant progress under Premier Zhu’s leadership. He was an early supporter of our first Government-to-Government project, the China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park. In his earlier stint as Mayor of Shanghai, Premier Zhu also encouraged exchanges and mutual learning between officials from Singapore and Shanghai. These efforts laid a strong foundation for the close ties and extensive exchanges that our two countries enjoy today. 

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

Yours sincerely,

LAWRENCE WONG