Guard Change in Singapore when PM Lee Hsien Loong resigns is the subject of this sentence

After 20 years, Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong stepped down, handing over to successor Lawrence Wong - the first leader outside the Lee family in 59 years.

An era ended in Singapore on Wednesday as Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong formally quit after 20 years in power, which marked the first time in the last six decades that the city-state will not be led by someone from the Lee family.

The ceremonial hand-over at the Istana presidential palace of Lee, 71, who resigned as the head of government, was followed by the transfer of the premiership to his successor Lawrence Wong. The end of Lee's long-time position on top of the government comes with the transition, during which he led Singapore through several economic crises and the COVID-19 pandemic while at the same time strengthening the country's position as a global financial center.

Wong, 51, until recently the deputy prime minister and finance minister, steps up to take the helm of one of the world's wealthiest and most stable avenues at a time of economic uncertainty and rising U.China tensions in the region. He has promised to make a society that is more inclusive while at the same time keeping the trade relations of Singapore strong.

The son of the late founder Lee Kuan Yew, PM Lee was in charge of the transformation of Singapore from a poor country to a rich metropolitan city with sovereign wealth funds and a thriving tourist industry besides its traditional strengths in manufacturing and services. Their achievements were sometimes mixed with turbulence such as the bitter public dispute with siblings over his father's legacy and will.

In a television broadcast, Lee expressed his gratitude to the Singaporeans for their help over the years. "I didn't run faster than the others. I tried to make everybody run with me," he said. "And I believe that we did achieve some results. "

Also Read:  Lee Hsien Loong, the Prime Minister of Singapore, advocates the notion of cohesiveness and the acceptance of cultural plurality

Wong has a prosperous but aging country and he has to deal with problems like social inequity, immigration, and race relations that other countries also have to face. He takes office with the People's Action Party which is planning to hold general elections by November 2024.