Lawrence Wong has been sworn in as Singapore’s first new prime minister in 20 years and only its fourth leader since independence, capping a carefully calibrated power transfer aimed at ensuring continuity in the wealthy city-state.

• Wong took the oath of office in a televised ceremony at the national palace.
• He is the first Singaporean leader born after its independence in 1965.
• Wong will retain his current position as finance minister and takes charge of a country led for 20 years by Lee Hsien Loong, the 72-year-old son of Lee Kuan Yew, the founder of modern Singapore, who stayed in politics until his death in 2015.