Deeply saddened by the passing of former Premier Hau Pei-tsun from Taiwan, aged 101.
Mr Hau was a deeply respected leader, who made many contributions to the security and well being of Taiwan and to cross-strait relations, as well as to our bilateral ties.
Mr Hau shared a close and long-standing friendship with my father. When Mr Lee died, he came to pay his last respects, and attended the state funeral.
I first met Mr Hau in 1974 as a young officer. Over the years we have kept in touch, in our various appointments. When I called on him in 1985, he presented me a copy of James Legge’s translation of 四书 ‘The Four Books’, the Confucian classic. I have kept it as one of my prized possessions.
Most recently we met 3 years ago, when at the age of 97 he came with friends on a golfing holiday to Singapore!
Mr Hau lived a long and full life. He will be remembered as a dear friend of Singapore. Our thoughts are with the people of Taiwan at this moment of loss. – LHL
(Mr Hau Pei-tsun paying his last respects at Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s lying-in-state in 2015. / MCI Photo by Chwee)
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