Prime Minister Office Allow retired ministers to sit in policy making bodies
The two senior negotiators in the China delegation to the Alaska meeting with the US were Yang Jiechi and Wang Yi (the current foreign minister).

I checked the background of Yang Yiechi. I was surprised to learn that he is more senior than Wang Yi. Indeed, YJ was the foreign minister of China from 2007 to 2013.

I was amazed that he did not retire from public life after completing his term as foreign minister. He remained in the policy making body of the Chinese Communist Party and was in charge of foreign affairs. WY reports to him.

This is how China retained the experience of their senior ministers, even as they stepped aside for younger ministers to take over their role.

The depth of the expertise and experience of the government leaders in China is remarkable. It accounts for their impressive performance in Alaska.

I hope that Singapore can learn from this lesson and keep our retired ministers in useful roles in the government. 

Tan Kin Lian 

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