Lawrence Wong, Prime Minister in Waiting

Early in the pandemic, Lawrence Wong was a voice of caution, using his position as co-chair of Singapore’s virus response task force to advocate for strict measures to keep the pathogen out and clamp down on domestic cases. But in late 2021 his team pivoted, conscious that the tiny, trade-reliant country can prosper only if it’s connected internationally. Wong helped oversee one of the world’s most successful vaccination drives— more than 90% of the population has received at least two shots—and Singapore moved faster than most governments in the region to scrap border restrictions, social distancing rules and mask requirements. It’s now reaping the benefits, attracting corporate offices and high-income earners including from Hong Kong and mainland China, where travel remains restricted. Singapore’s primary airport, Changi, has become the busiest in Asia, with 7.3 million passengers in the second quarter, more than 10 times the figure in Hong Kong, the leader in normal times.

Wong’s performance has helped propel him to the top of Singapore politics. In June, Lee Hsien Loong, the longtime prime minister and the son of founding leader Lee Kuan Yew, designated Wong as his successor, ending years of speculation over the position. It marks a stunning rise for a politician who grew up in a public housing estate on Singapore’s East Coast and didn’t attend one of the elite academies that produce most top officials. When he takes over at some point in the next few years, Wong will be running a nation that’s closer than ever to the heart of the global economy.