World leaders pay tributes to Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew

(Agencies/chinadaily.com.cn) Updated: 2015-03-23 14:55

SINGAPORE - World leaders expressed their condolences and paid tribute to Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's first prime minister, who died on Monday aged 91.

World leaders pay tributes to Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew

Then vice-president Xi Jinping, right, meets Singapore's former prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, in this May 23, 2011, file photo. [Photo by Xu Jingxing/Asianewsphoto]

Chinese president Xi Jinping

"Lee was the founder of Singapore and a strategist and statesman widely respected by the international community. He was also an old friend of the Chinese people and the founder, pioneer and promoter of China-Singapore relations.

"Lee and the old generations of Chinese leaders jointly set the direction of China-Singapore ties. Lee made great contributions to enhancing friendship of the two peoples and broadening bilateral cooperation.

"The death of Lee is a loss to the people of Singapore, and to the international community as well.

"China is willing to work with Singapore to continue traditional friendship between the two countries, consolidate their good-neighborly ties and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation so as to benefit the two countries and peoples." More about Xi's condolences

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang

"Lee Kuan Yew had worked together with the pioneering generation of Chinese leaders in opening the gate for the friendly cooperation between China and Singapore, and his contributions to the China-Singapore relationship and China's reform and opening up will surely be marked by history.

"Lee was a strategist and a statesman who was recognized across the world as the founding father of Singapore and a pioneer of its development, as well as a co-founder of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, making important contributions to the peace and development of the region.

Singapore is an important and friendly neighbor of China, and China is ready to work with Singapore to further honor the tradition of partnership that has been ushered in and carefully nurtured by generations of leaders from both countries to achieve the consistent development of the China-Singapore cooperative relationship."

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott

"Today, we mourn the passing of a giant of our region. Fifty years ago, Lee Kuan Yew led a vulnerable, fledgling nation to independence. Today, thanks to his vision and determination, Singapore is one of the world's most successful countries.

"In Lee Kuan Yew's own words, Singapore's remarkable journey has been from 'third world to first'.

"Thanks to his leadership, Singapore is now one of the world's most prosperous nations, a financial powerhouse, and one of the world's easiest places to do business.

"Our region owes much to Lee Kuan Yew. Here in Australia and beyond, leaders sought and learned from his wise counsel."

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key

"A man of rare qualities, Mr Lee's courage, determination, commitment, character and ability made him a formidable leader who held the respect of Singaporeans and the international community alike.

"Mr Lee provided a unifying presence in his country since its creation as a state in 1965. His loss will be deeply felt by his family and the people of Singapore.

"I had the honor of meeting Mr Lee in 2007 during his last official visit to New Zealand. He was well known for his insights and foresight, but what struck me most was his unwavering determination to see Singapore succeed.

"A powerful advocate for the region and supportive of New Zealand's role in Southeast Asia and the wider world, Mr Lee was a close and long-time friend of New Zealand."