What Singapore’s New Ambassador Lui Tuck Yew Means for China

South China Morning Post

02 November 2019

Singapore’s appointment of a former cabinet minister as its next ambassador to China adds significant weight to the city state’s efforts to show Beijing that ties with the increasingly assertive Asian superpower are a key priority, analysts in the Lion City have said.

Lui Tuck Yew, a former navy chief turned top bureaucrat who joined the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) in 2006 and served as transport minister from 2011 to 2015, was made the country’s next ambassador in Beijing.

… Benjamin Ho, a research fellow with the China Programme at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, said Lui’s naval background put him in good stead as China and Singapore explored a deepening of military ties.

Also, the former minister’s experience as transport chief would help him understand the intricacies of economic cooperation with China – especially in infrastructure, the analysts said.

“Sino-Singapore relations are also premised on very strong economic cooperation and Lui is expected to further contribute to this area,” Ho said.

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