PM Wong, SM Lee extend sympathies to those affected by LA wildfires over phone call with US VP Harris

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SINGAPORE - Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong received seperate phone calls from United States vice-president Kamala Harris on Jan 14.

In a statement on Jan 14, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) spokesperson said that Ms Harris gave PM Wong and SM Lee an update about the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles, which led to the cancellation of her working visit to Singapore that was supposed to take place on Jan 15.

The wildfires have killed at least 24 people in Los Angeles, ripping through the second-largest city in the US and leaving thousands without a home.

Ms Harris was initially supposed to meet Singapore leaders and visit Changi Naval Base while in the Republic, according to the White House.

PM Wong and SM Lee conveyed their sympathies to the individuals and communities affected by the wildfires, and expressed hope that the situation would be brought under control as soon as possible, said the MFA spokesperson.

The ministers also thanked Ms Harris for the Biden Adminstration’s efforts in strengthening the ties between Singapore and the US.

The spokesperson added: “They noted that both sides had worked closely to deepen cooperation in traditional areas such as the economy and defence, as well as to broaden ties by institutionalising cooperation in new areas such as climate change, critical and emerging technologies, and nuclear energy.”

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