Shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Wong Meng Quang (“MQ”). I had just met him last week, at the Ho Rih Hwa Lecture.
Meng Quang served Singapore with distinction. He headed EDB's Tokyo office, and was a consummate salesman for Singapore. He was fluent in English, Mandarin and Japanese, and landed major investments from Japan, including the Seiko watch factory.
MQ also played a key role in the decision not to pursue highly pollutive industries in Singapore. In the 1970s, foreign investors had proposed building an iron and steel complex on Pulau Ubin, but he advised against the plan. The project was reconsidered, and eventually called off. So in a sense, MQ saved Pulau Ubin.
Later MQ served as our Commercial Representative in Beijing. When we established formal diplomatic ties with China, he was in the team which negotiated the terms. He then continued as our Charge d’Affaires in Beijing. He accompanied me on my trips to China, and gave me good advice.
My thoughts are with his family during this difficult time of mourning. - LHL
(This pic was taken around 1990, when I visited China. / Photo courtesy of the late Mr Wong Meng Quang’s family.)
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