Joe Biden’s 2013 official visit to Singapore includes a pit stop at Adam Road Hawker Centre

Joe Biden

US President-elect Joe Biden is perhaps most remembered for his impromptu visit to Adam Road Hawker Centre in 2013. Then Vice-President in the Obama Administration, he was in Singapore for an official visit from July 25 to 27.

He was accompanied by his wife Dr Jill Biden, his daughter Ashley Biden and son-in-law Howard Krein.

They visited the Singapore Botanical Gardens.

Joe Biden visits Singapore Botanical Gardens

Dr. Nigel Paul Taylor, Director of National Parks presented them with a book during a ceremony in which an orchid was named the Joe and Jill Biden Orchid.

There could not have been a more beautiful introduction than our tour of the Botanic Gardens, Dr Jill Biden said. “As an avid gardener, I am honored that they chose to name a deep purple Dendrobium orchid the ‘Joe and Jill Biden’ during our visit today. We’ll bring some ‘Joe and Jill Biden’ orchids back to DC to display at the Vice President’s Residence.”

Biden visit Singapore

Dr Jill Biden visited My Tree House — a “green” library where children learn about caring for the environment. She read a book to some 60 primary school children from five schools in Singapore.

Of her experience, she wrote: As an English teacher, I love nothing more than helping kids appreciate reading. I especially relish any opportunity I have to spend time with young children who are just discovering how exciting and eye opening reading can be. Each child was so attentive and interested which reaffirms the importance that Singapore, like the United States, places on early education.

Jill Biden at My Tree House, green library in Singapore

Mr Biden called on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana.

Joe Biden and Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana

They also called on then President Tony Tan at the Istana.

The Bidens called upon President Tony Tan

Mr Joe Biden also met with Mr Lee Kuan Yew in his office at the Istana.

Joe Biden meets Mr Lee Kuan Yew

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He caused a stir when he made an impromptu visit to Adam Road Hawker Centre where he bought and drank cane juice.

Joe Biden at Adam Road Hawker Centre

And greeted a patron there.

Joe Biden greeted a patron at Adam Road Hawker Centre

He concluded the trip with a visit to US aircraft engine maker Pratt & Whitney, and the USS Freedom, a littoral combat ship deployed at Changi Naval Base.

Joe Biden and USS Freedom

In his congratulatory note to President-elect Joe Biden, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong wrote:

“I look forward to working with you to deepen the partnership between our two countries and enhance the United States’ presence in the Asia-Pacific. You can continue to count on Singapore as a friend and partner.”

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