Singapore is well-known for its efficiency and order, but on a visit to Washington the city state's prime minister displayed a less advertised attribute — humour.
In an after-dinner speech to U.S. businessmen, Lee Hsien Loong made a couple of jokes that could pass for stand-up comedy.
He drew laughs — and some groans — with his quips, including about China's environmental problems.
"Beijing residents joke that to get a free smoke all they have to do is open their windows!" Lee said.
He then alluded to thousands of pig carcasses recently fished from Chinese rivers.
"(In) Shanghai, if you want some pork soup, you just turn on the tap," he said.
His audience appeared doubtful if that was good taste, until he added: "That's their joke, not mine!" Full story
Related:
- Singapore PM draws laughs in US speech - myfoxphilly.com
- Singapore PM draws laughs in US speech - Boston Herald
- Singapore PM tries his hand at after-dinner humor on Washington visit - The Washington Post
- Groans greet Singapore PM’s sharing of jokes about China - The Standard
- PM Lee makes jokes on China at dinner in Washington - Malaysia Chronicle
- Singapore’s prime minister is funny - Foreign Policy
- Singapore PM Lee cracks jokes at China's expense, risks hurt feelings - Shanghaiist
- Singapore Premier Lee Hsien Loong makes China butt of his jokes - South China Morning Post
