Former Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew has been appointed as Singapore's next Ambassador to the United States, receiving his letter of credence that d
Former Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew has been appointed as Singapore’s next Ambassador to the United States, receiving his letter of credence that designates him for the role.
Prior to this appointment, Lui served as Singapore’s Ambassador to China from 2019 to 2023 and held the position of Ambassador to Japan from 2017 to 2019. He is well-known for his tenure as Minister of Transport from 2011 to 2015, as well as for his roles as Second Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence, and Minister for Information, Communication and the Arts from 2009 to 2011. Lui stepped down from his ministerial role in 2015 after facing criticism during his time as Transport Minister, particularly due to disruptions in the MRT system. However, he has been regarded favorably by public transport advocates for his listening skills and open-minded approach.
Before entering politics, Lui served as Chief of Navy and later as CEO of the Housing and Development Board.
In the context of rising global tensions, Singapore continues to foster strong relationships with both the US and China. Recent events have highlighted the complexities of these relations, including a notable refusal by China’s Minister of National Defence to meet with his US counterpart during the upcoming IISS Shangri-La Dialogue.
At a recent Nikkei forum on the Future of Asia, Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong discussed the implications of US-China relations on Singapore, emphasizing the mutual suspicion and fundamental mistrust between the two powers. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has also described the current global situation as “unprecedented,” making Lui’s experience with China potentially beneficial in his new role.
Lui succeeds Ashok Kumar Mirpuri, who has served as Singapore’s Ambassador to the US since 2012. Meanwhile, Peter Tan Hai Chuan, a veteran of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will take over as Ambassador to China. Tan has previously held the role of Ambassador to Japan from 2019 to 2023. Additionally, Singapore has welcomed new ambassadors, including Ong Eng Chuan to Japan and Constance See to the Philippines.
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