PUBLISHED ONAugust 13, 2026 6:08 AMBYSean LerSingapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Thursday (Aug 13) sent a condolence letter to Chinese Premier Li Qiang following the passing of China's former premier Zhu Rongji.
The 97-year-old died of illness on Wednesday morning, according to Chinese state media Xinhua News.
His obituary, published on China's state media, described him as an "outstanding member of the Communist Party of China and loyal communist fighter...and an outstanding leader of the Party and state."
In the letter, sent on behalf of the Singapore Government, PM Wong described the late Zhu Rongji as "an old friend of Singapore".
He recalled that the former premier had met with Singapore's former Prime Ministers Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Chok Tong on many occasions, noting that Zhu was also the first Chinese leader to deliver the Singapore Lecture — a public lecture series organised by the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute where prominent world leaders, policymakers and scholars share their views on regional and global developments.
"His speech reflected his strategic vision that China’s economic development and growth would benefit Asia and the world," PM Wong wrote in his letter.
He said that Zhu had also proposed a free trade area between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and China to deepen economic ties.
His vision has now been borne out, with China having become an important economic partner for Singapore and countries across the region, PM Wong said.
The two countries also made "significant progress" in their bilateral relations under Zhu's premiership, with Zhu being an early supporter of the first Government-to-Government project — the China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park.
During his term as Shanghai's mayor, Zhu also encouraged exchanges and mutual learning between officials from Singapore and Shanghai, PM Wong said.
He added that these efforts laid a strong foundation for the close ties and extensive exchanges between Singapore and China today.
The prime minister also noted that Zhu demonstrated "remarkable foresight" and resolve in advancing China's economic reforms and leading its accession to the World Trade Organization in 2001.
"Premier Zhu will long be remembered for his distinguished contributions to China’s development and to Singapore-China relations," PM Wong said.
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