Leaders of Japan, China and South Korea offered condolences over the death of Singapore's first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew on Monday.
"I was deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Singapore Founding Father as well as your own father. His Excellency Mr. Lee is one of the greatest leaders of modern times that Asia has ever produced," Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said in a condolence message to Singaporean premier Lee Hsieng Loong, who is Lee's son. Hailing Lee's incomparable leadership and unparalleled insights, Abe said Lee played, for more than half a century and throughout his life, a key role not only in achieving Singapore's remarkable economic growth and prosperity but also in securing peace and stability of the Asia Pacific region and the world. "The demise of such a great leader is indeed a great loss not only to your country but also to the entire international community," Abe said.
Lee, who transformed a port city into an advanced global finance center during his rule from 1959 to 1990, died earlier in the day at age 91.
In Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping also sent a message of condolences to Singapore's President Tony Tan Keng Yam over the death of Lee, according to state-run Xinhua News Agency. In his message, Xi deeply mourned the death of Lee and extended condolences to Lee's family on behalf of the Chinese government and people and in his own name. "Lee was the founder of Singapore and a strategist and statesman widely respected by the international community," said Xi. He was also an old friend of the Chinese people and the founder, pioneer and promoter of China-Singapore relations, said Xi.
Lee and the old generations of Chinese leaders jointly set the direction of China-Singapore ties, said Xi, adding that Lee made great contributions to enhancing friendship of the two peoples and broadening bilateral cooperation.
In Seoul, South Korean President Park Geun-hye also offered her deep condolences to Singaporeans, Yonhap News Agency reported. Park said in statement that she hopes Lee, respected by Singaporeans, may rest in peace. She called Lee a friend of South Koreans, as he offered wisdom for the development of relations between South Korea and Singapore.