Singapore’s Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong was awarded the “Honorary Companion of the Order of Australia” in recognition of his active efforts in promoting the development of bilateral relations between Singapore and Australia during his tenure as Prime Minister.
According to Lianhe Zaobao, Lee Hsien Loong is the second Singaporean leader to receive the “Honorary Companion of the Order of Australia.” Former Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong was honored with this award in 2005.
Currently on a state visit to Singapore, Australian Governor-General David Hurley presented the award to Lee Hsien Loong at a ceremony held at the Australian High Commissioner’s residence on the 5th.
Australia was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic ties with Singapore after its independence. This year, the two countries are celebrating the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.
In addition, Australia has always played an important role in regional cooperation, such as becoming ASEAN’s first dialogue partner in 1974.
The “Honorary Companion of the Order of Australia” is the country’s highest honor awarded to foreign individuals across various fields.
Lee Hsien Loong served as Singapore’s third Prime Minister from 2004 to 2024. The award citation pointed out that during this period, economic ties between Singapore and Australia grew significantly, and Singapore is now Australia’s largest trading and investment partner in Southeast Asia.
Furthermore, Lee Hsien Loong led and promoted six revisions to the two countries’ Free Trade Agreement, ensuring the content kept pace with the times and proactively addressing issues related to new technologies and potential supply chain disruptions.
In 2015, Singapore and Australia also upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, laying a foundation for a new stage of bilateral relations. The two countries will launch an upgraded version of this partnership later this year.
Lee Hsien Loong also expressed his joy at seeing Prime Ministers Anthony Albanese of Australia and Lawrence Wong of Singapore continuing the deep personal ties between the two countries’ leaders.