In many ways, the ties between China and the city-state have been unique. Over the past decades, Singapore has not only established a flourishing friendship with China, but also become a bridge for cross-strait dialogue. 

Back in the 1970s, the friendship between then Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew set the tone for China-Singapore ties.

In 1976, Lee paid his first visit to China, meeting Chairman Mao Zedong. And Lee was the first foreign leader to see China's ancient terracotta warriors in Xi'an, which date back over 2,200 years.

Two years later, Deng visited Singapore. Seeing Singapore's governance model in action strengthened his resolve to open up China. Lee called the diminutive Chinese leader "a giant among men."

In 1990, diplomatic ties between the two countries officially began. The Chinese Foreign Minister at the time, Qian Qichen, and his Singaporean counterpart Wong Kan Seng signed a short communique and shook hands in a simple ceremony.

Since then, the relationship has grown. Singapore has also become something of a bridge for dialogue across the Taiwan Strait. In 1993, Singapore hosted the first cross-strait meeting between top leaders of non-governmental organizations since 1949.

In 2015, Chinese President Xi Jinping and then Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou held a historic meeting in Singapore to exchange views on promoting peaceful development and a national revival. Singapore once again became witness to Chinese history.

(Top image: A general view of the Marina Bay during the National Day Parade in Singapore, August 9, 2018. /VCG Photo)