In the wake of the death of former Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew on early Tuesday, the Singapore Consulate in Xiamen city announced it would be open to the public for condolence service everyday from 10am-12pm and 2pm-4pm this week.

Many media agencies in Xiamen city, Fujian province, reviewed his five visits to the city in the 1980s and 1990s.

Besides touring some of the most famous scenic resorts in Xiamen, Lee also shared his successful experience of bringing Singapore from third-world to first-world status in a single generation.

A local newspaper in Xiamen on Nov 22, 1980, reports on the upcoming visit of then Singapore PM Lee Kuan Yew.

Nov 22-23 1980 – Lee and his wife arrived in Xiamen for a goodwill visit. They took a tour of South Putuo Temple and climbed Wulao Peak to enjoy an aerial view of Xiamen University and the beautiful coastal landscapes.

The next day, the couple dropped by Dongdu Wharf under construction, before travelling to Gulangyu Island, where they tasted local dishes and snacks.

Lee Kuan Yew and his wife tour Wulao Peak in Xiamen on Nov 22, 1980.

Lee Kuan Yew (center) boards a yacht headed for Gulangyu Island, Xiamen, on Nov 22, 1980.

Sept 23-24, 1985 - In his second visit to Xiamen, which as a whole had been approved by China’s authorities as a special economic zone, Lee inspected XOCECO New Technic Co and Dongdu Wharf, and travelled to Hulishan Fortress and the Jimei School Village.

Lee Kuan Yew (left) visits Hulishan Fortress in Xiamen on Sept 23, 1985.

Li proposed a toast at a welcoming banquet, saying that more than 40 percent of Chinese working in Singapore were from Xiamen. Those Fujian natives in Singapore harbored a special feeling toward their hometown that transcends time, which Fujian and Singapore can take advantage of and turn into concrete economic cooperation.

Oct 22-23, 1990 – A large delegation of 38 people from Singapore, including Lee and his wife, visited Xiamen for the third time. They inspected a company engaged in photographic materials production the next day and took a stroll on Gulangyu Island.

In a meeting with Fujian officials on Gulangyu, Lee commented that Xiamen had gone through tremendous change since China’s reform and opening-up policy in the past decade, and the policy should be continuously upheld.

Oct 5-6, 1992 – This time, Lee, who had become Singapore’s minister mentor, together with then Deputy PM Ong Teng Cheong, led a delegation of 16 to Xiamen, where they paid a visit to the Xiamen Bridge and some joint ventures involving Singaporean capital.

In a meeting with Fujian and Xiamen officials, Lee hoped Xiamen could further improve the business climate and attract more overseas investment including finance, technology and corporate management.

Dec 5-7, 1997 – Lee and his wife headed a 21-member delegation to Xiamen, where they visited local enterprises and an eye center. They also took a ride through downtown areas.

Lee Kuan Yew (second from right) visits the Xiamen branch of Linde (China) Forklift Truck Co during his visit to Xiamen from Dec 5 to 7, 1997.