By Olly Barratt, Channel NewsAsia Posted: 17 September 2009 1429 hrs
LONDON: Singapore's Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew has been celebrating his 86th birthday in London where he is on an official visit. Mr Lee, who turned 86 on 16 September, has held talks with top-level British politicians including Foreign Secretary David Miliband and other governing Labour Party figures. He also met the opposition Conservative Party, which looks set for an upcoming general election victory in Britain. Giving Mr Lee a warm welcome at the Foreign Office, Mr Miliband said: "We, one of our biggest interests is to work closely with Singapore. What for? For economy, culture, education, climate - we've got a lot to do together," Mr Lee also met Business Secretary Lord Mandelson to discuss the economic crisis and signs of recovery in the global economy. Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary Jack Straw, hosting a lunch for Mr Lee, paid tribute to the Minister Mentor's continued energy despite his age. "I'd like to know what tablets you are on," remarked Mr Straw. Mr Lee also met the man whom polls say will be the next British prime minister - Conservative Party leader David Cameron. There will be a general election in the UK by early summer next year, and Mr Cameron said his Conservatives could learn something from the success of Mr Lee's People's Action Party. But Mr Lee told Mr Cameron 'it's yours to lose', before the two moved onto talking about the difficult times ahead as Singapore and the UK head into economic recovery. Also attending the meeting were Shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague and Shadow Chancellor George Osborne. Minister Mentor Lee has left London for Armenia.
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