Beijing Calls Singaporean Lee Kuan Yew Founder of China-Singapore Relations

Chinese Foreign Ministry expressed condolences to the Singaporean government and people over the death of the former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Chinese Foreign Ministry expressed condolences Monday to the Singaporean government and people over the death of the former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, referring to him as a founder of China-Singapore relations.

Lee Kuan Yew, the first Prime Minister of Singapore considered the main architect of the Singaporean economic miracle died early Monday morning at the Singapore general hospital where he was treated for severe pneumonia. He was 91.

"Mr. Lee Kuan Yew is a uniquely influential statesman in Asia… He is the builder and founder of China-Singapore relations… The Chinese side deeply mourns the loss of Mr. Lee Kuan Yew and offers sincere sympathy to the Singaporean government and people," a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry of Chine Hong Lei said in a statement.

Lee Kuan Yew became first Prime Minister of Singapore in 1959 and served at this post for over three decades.

The current Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong has declared national mourning over the death from Lee Kuan Yew starting from Monday and until Sunday.