Deeply saddened by the passing of former Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa. Mr Tung was an old friend of Singapore. Under his leadership, cooperation between Singapore and Hong Kong deepened, helping to lay the foundations for the close ties we enjoy today. As the first Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region after its return to China, Mr Tung led Hong Kong through a defining chapter in its history. He steered the city through major challenges - including the Asian Financial Crisis and the SARS outbreak - with resilience and a deep sense of responsibility for Hong Kong and its people. I had the privilege of meeting Mr Tung during my visit to Hong Kong in 2019. I remember him as a leader who thought deeply about the challenges facing our cities and our region, and believed strongly in the importance of cooperation. My deepest condolences to Mr Tung’s family and to the people of Hong Kong. ( 📸 : Photo by Robert Ng/South China Morning Post via Getty Images)