Lee Kuan Yew, former Prime Minister of Singapore, died on March 23. Chinese president Xi Jinping said that Lee’s death is a loss to Singapore and to the international community. Lee was the Father of Singapore. Singapore’s move from poverty to plenty has taken place within one generation. It took some of the smaller countries in northern Europe 100 years to achieve as much. Lee Kuan Yew was a world-recognized strategist and statesman. As realistic idealist, he always focused on his national interest. His achievements won the respect of the people of Singapore. He believed that as long as the decisions made by government were good for the country and its people, they should be implemented in the face of any difficulties and criticism. Singapore’s success shows that only when a country sticks to its own path can it achieve success.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Singapore’s founding. The country has been transformed from a poor country to a high-income country. Its per capita GDP has reached 55,000 dollars. It is worth mentioning that the country has achieved these successes while possessing few natural resources of its own. This proves that as long as a country is unceasing in its efforts, it is sure to overcome its problems.

Lee Kuan Yew exerted a powerful influence on China. In 1978, Deng Xiaoping was mulling over the policy of reform and opening up when he visited Singapore. Lee Kuan Yew told him that China would rise because most Singaporeans were descendants of poor Chinese. Where Singapore had led, China would follow. China has learnt from Singapore in the fields of economic development, industrial zones, and environmental protection. How Singapore has built a clean government and a society ruled by law is also an important reference for China.

Singapore gives top priority to political talent and expertise. It tries to attract talent from other countries. China is doing the same.

This article was edited and translated from 《李光耀的成功给中国三点启示》, source: People's Daily Overseas Edition, Author: Zheng Yongnian