Family Background

 

In his memories, Lee Kuan Yew about his great-grandfather Li Muwen (Lee Bok Boon) early in 1862 emigrated from Guangdong Tai Po to the experience of the Straits Settlements , creating one of its immigrant background as a fourth -generation Chinese Singaporeans [ 2 ] . Lee Kuan Yew grandparents are Hakka ancestral Dabu , Guangdong Province, China , between the mountains between now and Yongding County, Meizhou, Guangdong , Fujian . Dabu pure Hakka area , high proportion of centenarians , 2013 was officially granted China " Chinese longevity " title , Lee Kuan Yew has passed ninety longevity is still quite healthiness clear thinking , seems to have inherited the ancestral homeland longevity genes. Cai recognized as a mother your mother (Chua Jim Neo) and father Lijin Kun (Lee Chin Koon) 's eldest son , was born in the Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore Kampong Java Road (Kampong Java Road) of a two -storey villa 92 [3] . And his grandfather Li Yunlong (Lee Hoon Leong) on his English education initiatives to impose such a child he was strongly influenced by British culture . Lee Kuan Yew has a third brother, sister , his younger brother Jinyao ( English name : Dennis) and Lee Kuan Yew as had studied law at Cambridge University , followed by the creation of the firm with his brother ; third brother Li Tianyao ( English name : Freddy) who is an equity securities Chairman of the line ; fourth brother李祥耀as a doctor , he worked at Cambridge University to study medicine.

 

Early biographies

 

In 1936, 13 -year-old Lee Kuan Yew was admitted to a local English school Raffles Institution ( Junior Division) ; 1940 , 18 years old, he was admitted to the school's high school , but after the Japanese occupation of Singapore interrupt their studies . After World War II , gathered tuition assistance of Lee Kuan Yew, his family , went to study in the UK . In the early days in England , studied at the London School of Economics , Lee Kuan Yew , and by the impact mentors Laski socialist theory in the study , unfolding against British colonial rule tendencies, but in the latter has been " anti-communist who " known. He has said in his memoirs , "The reason why hate communists , rooted in their adopted Leninism ( authoritarian leaders ) method , is not that their Marxist ideals ." After one year , Lee Kuan Yew to Cambridge University to study law , and in 1949 obtained a double first class honors degree , graduated top of the list , and then qualified as a solicitor . In 1950, he and former classmate at Raffles Institution Ke Yuzhi married.

 

 

Political experience

 

Early

In 1950, Britain's Lee Kuan Yew also joined a local living in Southeast Asia by the people was formed to fight for independence Malaya target groups " Malayan Forum ." In August, returned to Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew , began working as a solicitor . In 1952, on behalf of Lee Kuan Yew because " Singapore strike Postman " talks with the government and the fame, the establishment of a mass base in the union , so their future political path laid the cornerstone.

October 1954 , Lee Kuan Yew returned from England with some Chinese , local Chinese-educated leftist students and union leaders established People's Action Party , participate in the first elections held the following year . This election, Lee Kuan Yew himself successfully elected Legislative Assembly Members , began to cooperate with Singapore, the Malayan Communist Party ( " CPM " ) and others responsible Lim Chin Siong , Singapore fight for autonomous status .

Prime Minister career

June 3, 1959 , the establishment of autonomous state of Singapore , but also self-government People's Action Party 's first election in the state government became the largest party in the House legislation by Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew has been an autonomous state . Since then, Lee Kuan Yew has been hoping merged with Malaya , " Malaysia ", thus providing protection for the economic development of Singapore , and finally you can also eradicate the local forces were growing stronger horse .

In 1961, the party to the action , led by Lee Kuan Yew " anti-communist " and " pro-communist elements" break , Lee Kuan Yew gradually rightist . July 1963 , Lee Kuan Yew and Malaya Tunku Abdul Rahman government reached an agreement in London, Singapore and Malaysia formally merged. The combined Malaysian federal government and the state government of Lee Kuan Yew led Singapore autonomous action , arrested more than a total of Singapore's top horses .

Singapore and Malaysia after the merger, the Malaysian federal government and the state government of Singapore autonomy in economic policy soon and many have serious disagreements . In 1964, race riots occurred in Singapore , Lee Kuan Yew's government accused the Prime Minister of Malaysia whereby Tunku Abdul Rahman and the federal government is trying to implement the " ethnic chauvinism ", so that the higher the Malays enjoy special treatment in federal and behind the scenes to incite the Singapore Malays against the autonomous state government of Singapore . The federal government will rise to this very offensive , but also because the two sides repeatedly unsuccessful negotiations followed , leading to the final in 1965 , Singapore was expelled from the Federation of Malaysia on 9 August and was forced to declare independence .

Singapore's independence, Lee Kuan Yew actively promote economic reform and development , and promote the development during the reign of the Jurong Industrial Park , the creation of a provident fund system , the establishment of the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau , and a number of policies , such as education reform , successfully making thirty years in the development of Singapore become one of the country's most affluent and prosperous . Singapore government with high efficiency , clean known, and the improvement of people 's living standards , but much freedom restrictions .

After retiring Prime Minister

In 1990, Lee Kuan Yew resigned as prime minister , but still remain Yew maintain influence. Asian values ​​he has always advocated that Asian countries do not need to fully act in accordance with Western values ​​. Lee Kuan Yew and therefore has to criticize the West for his authoritarian dictatorship no notice , he thought of Western democracy can not be imposed on the peoples of Asia , this view is consistent with the Chinese government . [ 5 ]

May 14, 2011 , People's Action Party in the general election , the lowest percentage of votes obtained since the founding , and for the first time in Nepal GRC Ayu lost opposition Workers' Party ( PAP GRC defeat in the first post-independence .) Lee Kuan Yew and other A former prime minister Goh Chok Tong issued a joint statement announcing the new cabinet will not act in any capacity . [ 6 ] He ended two decades of Yew , together with the Prime Minister career officially ended in the cabinet up to five years of his career , Lee also represents a formal succession .

 

Relations with Taiwan Strait

 

Lee Kuan Yew thirty years in power , in other countries is different, Lee Kuan Yew and Chinese mainland and Taiwan has maintained a special relationship and friendship , whether before and after the establishment of diplomatic relations with the People's Republic established diplomatic relations .

Lee Kuan Yew led Singapore government in the late 1970s and the Chinese mainland exchanges , both sides have to give up its hostile policy during the Cultural Revolution in the 1960s . In 1976, Lee Kuan Yew first visit , met with Mao Zedong , and many other leaders of the Communist Party of China . After that, he visited China many times , and Deng Xiaoping and other Chinese leaders met . Contributed under the Lee Kuan Yew , the Taiwan Strait was held in 1993 , " Wang-Koo Talks " in Singapore , highly symbolic .

Lee Kuan Yew has great respect for Deng Xiaoping , the two first met in 1978 , Deng Xiaoping visited Singapore and was Lee's high standard of hospitality . They do have a lot in common , such as the economy and the market economy are advocated reform and opening up , are studying in Europe, are hi -read book is rich intellectual , highly ambitions vision, shrewd and pragmatic policy approach , rich experience in political struggle , there war experiences of life and death are met , Zifeng very thrifty and incorruptible , they are of great charisma , and thus Lee Kuan Yew and Deng Xiaoping were many media used to compare the two . Lee has publicly Deng presided over the suppression of the student movement in Tiananmen defense ( although after the June 4 incident, Singapore, Hong Kong residents had also issued over 2,000 immigrant visas ) , and that " such initiatives has nothing to do with the issue of human rights is to safeguard national necessary means "stable .

October 3, 1990 , the Republic of Singapore announced the establishment of diplomatic relations with the People's Republic has become after following most Asian countries to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of Asian countries. Previously, Lee Kuan Yew has repeatedly said that Singapore will be the last ASEAN Member States established diplomatic relations with the PRC .

Lee's relationship with the Republic of China ( Taiwan), very close . In the 1970s , Singapore and Taiwan , including a number of military cooperation , including Lee himself has repeatedly visited Taiwan President Chiang Ching-kuo personal relationships with any of the well . Lee took office in 1988 , Lee is also very close to double . After 2000 Chen's Democratic Progressive Party government took office , Lee Kuan Yew has twice visited Taiwan , but Chen Shui-bian relationship in general. Other political figures in Taiwan , including Su Tseng-chang , Hsieh and Ma Ying-jeou , etc. , all have dealings with the Lee Kuan Yew , who were multiple private visit .

Singapore National Library and the National Archives under the co- publishers publish Chinese books , " chose Singapore Lee Kuan Yew ", the content is taken from the National Archives recently published books in English , " Lee Kuan Yew's remarks set", and translated into Chinese . In the " Leaders articles Orient ", the evaluation of President Chiang Ching Lee Kuan Yew "silent calm, pragmatic thinking ," he says Chiang Ching-kuo never put thinkers appearance, but the idea is practical, knowledge -rich society , good to know people , to ensure Liuzaishenbian are reliable disabilities, always willing to put forward their views frankly , even if it is home truths . Kuo before opening , certainly after some deliberation, never lip service. Lee's first visit to Taiwan in 1973 , with her daughter Li Weiling , Li Weiling speaks fluent Mandarin , and conversation is also a Chinese, so let incumbent president Chiang Ching-kuo when there are different views on the couple and Li Weiling Lee Kuan Yew , the star from Taiwan to establish a unique relationship , then to 1990 , Lee Kuan Yew 's visit to Taiwan every year 1-2 times. The book described the Chiang Ching-kuo and Lee Kuan Yew ShenDu , Chiang Ching-kuo , Lee Kuan Yew can understand spoken English , Lee Kuan Yew can speak Chinese , so the two sides need an interpreter , we can establish friendly relations .

Lee Kuan Yew was observed in 12 years as president Lee Teng-hui , Taiwan has been publicly express the latent separatist sentiment , but he believes that Lee underestimated the Chinese leaders and people to achieve a unified will. Mentioned in the book , it seems the Lee Kuan Yew , Lee confident, knowledgeable , because Taiwan is subjected to isolation and can not understand why world leaders can not sympathize with the situation of Taiwan , like Japan , Lee Teng-hui , as Japan 's sympathy and support for Taiwan is important . However , Lee Kuan Yew Lee's unpredictable position . Still, many people like to compare Lee Kuan Yew and Lee Teng-hui . They age, tall stature similar face shape , movement and Expo Dusit group membership, are a study in Western -educated elite , the two Chinese ancestral land immediately adjacent ( though separated by provincial boundaries belong Dabu , Guangdong Province , Yongding County , Fujian Province ) , two are of Hakka descent, are surnamed Li , and both aboriginal ancestral village location is very close to the character of the two men even temper and intellectual perseverance are similar. However, the large difference in cultural background , Lee Kuan Yew, nurtured by the British deep , deep cultural influence in Japan by Lee Teng-hui , thinking and decision-making patterns of the last two also appeared different.

Honor

 

Since Lee's grandparents are Hakka, it is also regarded as one of its own outstanding representative of Hakka ethnicity . Given its impact on the world Hakka affairs and contributions , especially Lee Kuan Yew was hired as the largest local Hakka community ( organization ) Singapore Tea Yang ( Po ) Hall Honorary Chairman.

Lee Kuan Yew was awarded the 1994 Ig Nobel Prize in Psychology Award, in recognition of its 30 years " for 3 million Singapore citizens regardless of when and where spitting, chewing gum , feeding pigeons affect the punishment of the study ." In recognition of Lee's contribution to the promotion of relations between Singapore and Barcelona, ​​Spain made ​​, Mayor of Barcelona伯赫on September 3, 2010 awarded " Honorary Citizen of Barcelona " (Honorary Citizen of Barcelona) award to Lee Kuan Yew .

Evaluate

 

Lee Kuan Yew in Singapore has a high prestige in the international community also has a reputation , many political celebrities such as Margaret Thatcher , Henry Kissinger for his clean, efficient government appreciated. But there are also many Western media accused Singapore without freedom , undemocratic political , and cultural development needs much political repression, suppression and persecution of opposition by the long-term . Lee's two sons held important posts in the government , the eldest son Lee Hsien Loong is the current prime minister ( accused of " inter-generational hereditary" ) , the youngest son of former president Lee Hsien Yang , SingTel 's largest state-owned enterprises (now Temasek ) facultative CEO. After Lee 's wife Ho Ching as a director of government Treasury fund management company Temasek Holdings in 2002 , the famous financial media Bloomberg News published an article insinuating that the appointment was " to meet the interests of the Lee family , or some with AirPlus Lee family benefits related to corruption motives , " Lee Kuan Yew was refuted and in order to sue . Who are being accused of attacking him , such criticisms remain. In 2004, Lee Kuan Yew 's son , Lee Hsien Loong took over as prime minister after the British " Economist" magazine published an article again , accusing political nepotism exist in Singapore . Lee Kuan Yew has threatened to take legal action , but later the magazine published a letter of apology and compensation disclosure. Singapore's opposition Workers' Party refers to "The Economist" because , with regional headquarters in Singapore , so the Singapore law does have jurisdiction , it was forced to "The Economist" apology.

In the fight against political opponents , Lee Kuan Yew without mercy, no different from other countries with dictators . Since Singapore's independence , he has maintained an effective " Internal Security Act " , the award of government when necessary " without trial " that can be " indefinite detention" endangering national security people . Socialist Front leader has worked with some of the early years of Lee Kuan Yew [ Who ? ] That is because the law was detained for 20 years, one of the most famous political prisoner is Lim Chin Siong . In addition, he suppressed opposition through judicial means , a lot of opposition [ Who ? ] Was forced to quit politics or migrated to other countries . In Singapore, the country , although the opposition 's voice has always existed, but still can not become mainstream.

Lee Kuan Yew advocate of Asian values ​​. U.S. " diplomacy" Quarterly 1994 , published April 3 to the Lee Kuan Yew and journal editor Fareed Zakaria lengthy conversation record, " Culture is fateful ," Lee said : "Frankly , if we did not Western advantages as their guide , we can not get rid of backwardness, our economy and other aspects will be in a backward state so far , but we do not want all the West . " " Some fundamental aspects of human nature will not change human nature has something evil , you have to prevent it from Westerners believe that as long as there is a good system of government , all problems can be solved ; . Asians do not believe Asians believe that the individual is inseparable from the family , the family belongs . Family , friends and family, but also extends to society the government does not want to give a person to give his family the things in the West, especially after World War II , the government is supposed to be completed on personal family obligations in the past done . ; such a situation encourages the emergence of single-parent families , because the government is supposed to replace his father , this is my East Asians hate. families are proven specification , is built of brick community . "

In 2011 , the website " Business Insider " (Business Insider) in its " most successful dictator of the 20th century ," Lee Kuan Yew will be arranged for the second place , the first one is Idris I, Franco , Chiang points out three , four [ 8 ] .

In addition , there are many international media [ Who ? ] Strongly criticized Lee Kuan Yew is a real elitist , he graduated from the University of advocating that women should receive the same level of education and married men to ensure that the next generation has a " high IQ ." The end result of domestic political propaganda too much opposition ( mainly from the group of highly educated women choose celibacy ) and give up , Lee Kuan Yew himself but still maintained its position is correct, and research professor at the University of Cambridge references in his autobiography as evidence to support their views .

Singapore caused due to the large ethnic folk language complex phenomenon, including Chinese, Malay , Javanese , Hindi , etc., in the upper social elite schools and government use of English . Lee Kuan Yew in the sixties decided to establish the dominance of English , in addition to English as the working language of government is strengthened , but also in education policy making oriented, non-English medium schools weakened. As the political stance of the Chinese schools generally pro- continental red regime , using the mainland simplified textbook . Lee Kuan Yew's autobiography mentioned on " Chinese school" pro-Communist stance concern that the school is to train Chinese Communists and the Communist underground work base. After the establishment of the Singapore English dominance after internationalization indeed helpful, Europe has become an important factor in attracting investment . But Chinese schools barely survive, while causing ethnic concerns, the Chinese mainland is also very dissatisfied . Lee Kuan Yew to balance emotions ethnic Chinese school to send their children to school, but at home, but with their children to speak English. Lee Kuan Yew owned Chinese schools because the quality of teaching , making Chinese school graduates do not have English school graduates "excellent" in a difficult predicament his memoirs in the Chinese schools and Chinese school graduates , this argument is more like defend himself. But undeniably Singapore basic education and tertiary education levels in the region are subject to approval and recognition.

Lee Kuan Yew and Malaysia, Indonesia 's political dealings seem to feel a strong need to ensure the dignity of the country 's military strength , and mentioned his fear when the British withdrew in his memoirs as well as time, " FPDA " do not worry ; and repeatedly referred to the threat of Malaysia and Indonesia early blockade . His plan , together with the members of the cabinet and the formation of Singapore 's armed forces , supported by instructors in Israel and the Republic of China ( Taiwan ) training places to train troops. Singapore Armed Forces currently has F-15SG, F-16CD, AH-64D Apache , CH-47SD helicopter , awesome class frigates , submarines , amphibious landing ship , Leopard 2A4 tanks, heavy artillery and other powerful sea and air weapons and strategic investment delivery vehicles, implicitly is a Southeast Asian "pocket military power ." Lee Kuan Yew identified only hand " lean and armed forces " in order to bring real security in Singapore . Nevertheless, there is a pro-Western , anti-communist , free market , and armed to the teeth guarding the Straits of Malacca , Singapore , Japan and Taiwan in Europe and America and Australia would like to see , no wonder Deng Xiaoping came to power in the 1970s before the mainland official media organizations have been criticized Singapore and Lee Kuan Yew as " lackeys of imperialism ." [ Citation needed ] However, Lee Kuan Yew is a very smart home international strategy game , after Deng Xiaoping came to power and maintain excellent Lee Kuan Yew 's personal relationship with many thoughtful suggestions were carefully considered Deng . Lee Kuan Yew at the helm while Taiwan Chiang Ching-kuo 's also maintained a very very good personal relations , cross-strait relations is the time to reconcile the most influential figure. After 1990, Singapore's growing influence in Southeast Asia , after Singapore in 2000 became the world's most important base of operations in Southeast Asia investment. Lee Kuan Yew on the insight of world events , the former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger was very respected .