Halimah Yacob (center)/ CNA file photo

Taipei, Sept. 14 (CNA) President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) was one of the first world leaders to congratulate Halimah Yacob on her swearing in as Singapore's first female president Thursday. Tsai also said she looked forward to working with President Yacob to strengthen relations between Singapore and Taiwan.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a press release Thursday indicating that president Tsai sent her congratulatory message as soon as Yacob's election was confirmed.

Tsai emphasized Taiwan values bilateral, regional and international cooperation with Singapore and noted that the two countries have been historically close in terms of economics, tourism, culture, education and technology.

Moreover, the 2013 Agreement between Singapore and the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu on Economic Partnership (ASTEP) brought the two even closer together, Tsai said.

President Tsai said she believes that the New Southbound Policy will inject new life into the Singapore-Taiwan relationship.

President Halimah Yacob entered politics in 2001 and was appointed Speaker of Parliament in 2013, before ascending to the largely ceremonial presidency in an uncontested election in 2017.

(By Elaine Hou and William Yen)
Enditem/AW