Singapore – New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern arrived in Singapore on May 17 (Friday) for her official visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
The popular state leader who has shown the world her resolute stance against bullying signified the same with her choice of outfit.
She even made an Instagram post about it.
“Couldn’t quite get away with a pink t-shirt today (just landed in Singapore for meetings with the President and Prime Minister) so the old pink jacket of solidarity will hopefully do instead! No matter where you are (or if you’re in a pink t-shirt or not) we all have a role to play in ending bullying….and spreading just a little bit more kindness. #pinkshirtdaynz”
In New Zealand, May 17 is Pink Shirt Day, a symbolic campaign where people make a stand against bullying by celebrating diversity and encouraging inclusiveness instead.
Even though PM Jacinda Arden was thousands of miles away from New Zealand, she showed full support for the movement. Since she was on a formal visit, a pink t-shirt seemed inappropriate, but the PM was able to find an alternative – a pink blazer.
Handled like a boss.
With the increasing trade tensions between the United States and China that have a ripple effect on the smaller nations such as Singapore and New Zealand, PM Arden’s pink blazer symbolizes solidarity.
The PM visited Singapore to establish the Singapore-New Zealand Enhanced Partnership which aims to boost cooperation between the two countries in areas such as trade and economics, defence and security, science, technology and information, and people-to-people links.
In a Facebook post on May 17, PM Lee Hsien Loong wrote:
“Pleased to host New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern on her first official visit to Singapore today.
We signed the Joint Declaration to establish the Singapore-New Zealand Enhanced Partnership (EP). This comprehensive and ambitious agreement will benefit our institutions, businesses and people. A key element is an upgrade to our FTA with NZ, the Upgrade of the Agreement between New Zealand and Singapore on a Closer Economic Partnership (ANZSCEP).
Also had a good discussion with PM Ardern on regional issues, of which there are many. We are natural partners – both small countries, sharing similar perspectives, e.g. the importance of the multilateral trade system and a rules-based international order. We do a lot together, including in research, defence and security, and tourism.
Am confident that our relations will continue to strengthen for many years to come! – LHL”
Pleased to host New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern on her first official visit to Singapore today. We signed the Joint…
Posted by Lee Hsien Loong on Friday, 17 May 2019
Read the full speech of PM Lee here.
-/TISG