The Chinese characters that define 2015

耀(radiance/brilliance/glorious), which is the last character in former Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew's Chinese name, was chosen as the Chinese character of 2015. [File photo]

In Singapore, Lianhe Zaobao published the result of the 2015 Chinese character poll on Monday. 耀(pronounced yew), which has several connotations including radiance, brilliance and glorious, was chosen as the Chinese character of the year. It is also the last character in former Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew's Chinese name.

Goh Sin Teck, editor-in-chief of Lianhe Zaobao, stressed that 2015 has been an especially eventful year for the media, from natural disasters to the passing of a great man, as well as various local and international news events that hold great significance both politically and historically.

"Although this character can be linked to various news events, the news that will first come to people's mind would still be the passing of our founding Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew. This shows that when readers look back at the major events of the year, the one that leaves the deepest impression is our shared memories of the seven days (of mourning) in March," he said.

Lee, who was Prime Minister from 1959 to 1990 and died in March aged 91, received a hero's funeral after an unprecedented outpouring of grief from Singaporeans who now enjoy one of Asia's highest standards of living.

Cooperating with 10 experts, the editorial team of Lianhe Zaobao also concluded 民(citizenry), 國（nation), 驚（surprise or shock), 難(difficulty), 信(trust), 責(responsibility), 新(afresh/renew), 毒(noxious) and 匯(currency) as the top 10 Chinese characters after a two-week poll.

Lianhe Zaobao held the annual Chinese character of the year poll since 2011. Last year, the annual character was 亂 which means disorder or chaos.