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Lawrence Wong Embarks on First Official Trip to Australia, New Zealand

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Prime Minister Lawrence Wong is set to embark on his first official visit to Australia and New Zealand since assuming office last year. The trip, which runs from October 6 to 14, 2023, marks a significant milestone, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and both nations. According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the purpose of the visit is to “reaffirm the excellent state of bilateral ties” among the countries involved.

The itinerary includes introductory visits to Australia from Monday to Thursday and to New Zealand from Thursday to Saturday. In Australia, Mr. Wong will travel to both Canberra and Sydney, while his time in New Zealand will focus on Auckland.

In Canberra, Mr. Wong will be hosted for dinner by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and will attend an official welcome ceremony at Parliament House. He will participate in the 10th Singapore-Australia Leaders’ Meeting, where both leaders will sign a joint declaration aimed at launching the upgraded Singapore-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP 2.0). Additionally, Mr. Wong plans to meet with Australia’s Governor-General Sam Mostyn and the Leader of the Opposition, Sussan Ley.

Key Meetings and Commemorative Events

During his time in New Zealand, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will host Mr. Wong for dinner in Auckland. The visit will include an official welcome ceremony at Government House, followed by a delegation meeting between the two leaders. They will also sign the Joint Vision Statement to initiate the Singapore-New Zealand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and hold a joint press conference.

Mr. Wong is expected to pay his respects by laying wreaths at the Australian War Memorial and the Auckland War Memorial Museum. Furthermore, he will engage with the Singaporean community during receptions in both Canberra and Auckland, commemorating Singapore’s six decades of independence.

Accompanying Mr. Wong on his trip will be his wife, along with several key officials, including Chan Chun Sing, Coordinating Minister for Public Service and Minister for Defence, and Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs. Additional participants include Members of Parliament Nadia Ahmad Samdin and Victor Lye. Minister for Manpower and Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science & Technology, Tan See Leng, will join the Australia segment, while Minister for Sustainability and the Environment and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations, Grace Fu, will accompany him in New Zealand.

During Mr. Wong’s absence, Gan Kim Yong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry, will serve as acting prime minister from October 6 to 8. Following this, K Shanmugam, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs, will take over as acting prime minister from October 9 to 11.

This visit not only strengthens the ties between Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand but also highlights the commitment to enhancing diplomatic and economic collaboration in the region.

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