Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to attend White House reception

According to Singapore's Strait Times, the White House announced this information on June 1 and emphasized that at the reception, the two leaders will attend the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Singapore-US diplomatic relations.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and President Obama (right) met in March 2016. Photo: White House

The White House also said that President Obama and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will highlight important progress in the bilateral relationship as well as discuss how the two countries can “address global challenges and support an international rules-based order in the Asia-Pacific.”

The White House emphasized that the official reception is a solemn diplomatic protocol reserved only for America's most important allies. This is also the highest diplomatic honor that the White House gives to heads of state around the world.

So far, President Obama has only hosted banquets for leaders of four Asian countries: China, Japan, South Korea and India. A banquet at the White House costs between $200,000 and $500,000.

On his Facebook page on June 2, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said he had accepted President Obama's invitation to visit the US next August and was looking forward to the visit.

“The visit will mark the progress we have made, especially with the US Government. It will also be an opportunity for Singapore and the US to consider building on our friendly relationship even after the US elections in November,” Mr Lee wrote.

Previously, Mr. Lee Hsien Loong's father - the late Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew - attended at least three official receptions of US Presidents. The last time he attended a reception was in 1985 under President Ronald Reagan./.

According to VOV