Headline: Deng Xiaoping's visit to Singapore, "What would happen if you had been born in Singapore" In 1978, Deng Xiaoping's visit to Singapore was of great significance to China's reform and opening up.
Deng Xiaoping abandoned his years of closure and decided to go abroad to find the best way to modernize. He hoped to take this opportunity to learn from foreign experience and provide reference for reform and opening up.
The relationship between China and Singapore has a long history. Since the beginning of the Two Han Dynasty, the two peoples have had trade, transportation and diplomatic relations.
During the Qing Dynasty, Zheng He went to the West, and Malacca became a stopover.
After the Opium War in 1840, many Chinese migrated to Singapore and became the main labor force for urban construction.
Sun Yat-sen carried out propaganda in Singapore and received active support from overseas Chinese. After the Xinhai Revolution, China and Singapore became closer and trade between the two countries became more frequent.
During the Anti-Japanese War, overseas Chinese in Singapore organized fundraising activities and contributed to China's anti-Japanese salvation. However, until after Singapore's independence, the two countries did not establish diplomatic relations.
After independence, Singapore moved closer to the United States and distanced itself from China.
But in the 70s of the 20th century, China's relations with the United States and Japan began to warm, and Singapore began to consider changing its relationship with China.
In 1976, Lee Kuan Yew visited China for the first time and was received by Chairman Mao and Deng Xiaoping. During the talks, he asked Deng Xiaoping in detail about China's foreign policy and plans to open up to the outside world.
In 1978, when Deng Xiaoping visited Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew personally greeted him at the airport. During the visit, the two had in-depth exchanges and enhanced their understanding.
Lee Kuan Yew showed Deng Xiaoping Singapore's progress and prosperity, and Deng Xiaoping was greatly encouraged.
He believes that reform and opening up is the only way out for China.
After Deng Xiaoping returned to China, he was determined to carry out reform and opening up. Although he encountered internal and external controversy and resistance, he resolutely led China on the road of reform and opening up.
Learning from the experience of many countries, he decided to set up a special economic zone in Guangdong Province and bring in foreign investment. The Shenzhen Special Economic Zone stands out as the flagship of China's reform and opening up.
When Lee Kuan Yew visited China in 1980, he marveled at the dramatic changes in China. He believes that Deng Xiaoping's leadership was far-sighted and indeed saved more than one billion Chinese people.
China's economy is developing rapidly, and people's living standards are constantly improving. The friendship between Deng Xiaoping and Lee Kuan Yew stemmed from their surprisingly consistent way of thinking.
Deng Xiaoping focused on practical rationality, and Lee Kuan Yew emphasized practicality. Their wisdom and boldness led China to prosperity and will be remembered by Chinese people forever.
Deng Xiaoping's path of reform and opening up not only enabled China to achieve tremendous development achievements, but also provided valuable reference and enlightenment for other countries. China is moving toward a better future, all thanks to Deng Xiaoping's great decisions and Lee Kuan Yew's support.