SINGAPORE - Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has written to Chinese Premier Li Qiang to convey his condolences over the death of his predecessor Li Keqiang.

Mr Li Keqiang died of a heart attack on Friday, aged 68, less than a year after retiring from a decade in office.

In a letter dated Saturday, PM Lee extended his condolences on behalf of the Singapore Government.

“Mr Li was a statesman who served his country with great dedication,” said PM Lee. “Under his leadership, China overcame many challenges, pressed on with reform and opening-up, and achieved economic development that dramatically improved the lives of the Chinese people.”

PM Lee recounted how he first met Mr Li in 2005 in Shenyang, the capital of Liaoning province, and how they worked closely over the years to strengthen the partnership between Singapore and China. He also recalled Mr Li’s official visit to Singapore as premier in 2018, which gave bilateral cooperation between both countries “a timely boost”.

PM Lee noted several key bilateral milestones during Mr Li’s tenure as premier, which collectively reflected the “forward-looking nature” of the bilateral ties between the two countries.

These include the establishment of the China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity, the launch of the Singapore-China (Shenzhen) Smart City Initiative and the upgraded protocol of the China-Singapore Free Trade Agreement.

“Mr Li also played an important role in strengthening Asean-China cooperation, representing China at Asean Summits over the past decade,” said PM Lee.

“Today, Asean and China are each other’s largest trading partners. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and Asean-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership are among Mr Li’s lasting contributions to regional integration.

“Our thoughts are with the people of China.”