Cheng Tong Fatt

Cheng Tong Fatt (; 1929 – 4 November 2025) was a Singaporean public servant, media executive and diplomat.

Cheng was Singapore’s first Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China and played a key role in establishing Singapore’s ties with China, Japan, and South Korea. He was instrumental in transforming Singapore’s broadcasting landscape through the conversion of Radio Television Singapore (RTS) into the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation (SBC).

Early life

Cheng was born in Singapore in 1929. He pursued higher education in the United Kingdom, graduating from University of Glasgow with a degree in veterinary science, where he became a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (UK).

Career

Civil career In 1957, Cheng started as a veterinary officer in the Primary Production Department (PPD). In 1961, Cheng was the acting director of the PPD when the director, Tham Ah Kow, went on leave prior to retirement. In 1962, he became the Director of the PPD until 1970. In 1971, he was appointed Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of National Development. who died in 2020, and they had a son and a daughter. He left behind two children and two grandchildren.