(Singapore, 11, 10.2025) Yesterday (Oct 10), Xiamen Airlines announced the official launch of its first international flight named after a person — the “Jia Geng” Flight, the inaugural route, Xiamen–Singapore (Flight MF851) — honoring the great philanthropist and educator Tan Kah Kee (陈嘉庚).
At the naming and inaugural ceremony, Tan Dib Jin and Daryl Tan, grandson and great-grandson of Tan Kah Kee, attended as special guests to witness the milestone moment.
From a Ship to a Flight: Jia Geng Arrives again at the Starting Point
A century ago, Tan Kah Kee (1874–1961) set sail from Xiamen to Singapore, spending nearly a month at sea to begin his remarkable journey as an entrepreneur and educator in the Nanyang region. A hundred years later, he “arrives” once more to the very place where his legacy first took flight — Singapore — but this time, the voyage takes only four hours instead of four weeks.
Over his six decades in Singapore, Tan Kah Kee built his fortune and devoted much of it to advancing education in Xiamen — a lifelong expression of his belief in “taking from society, giving back to society.” From the “Rubber King of the South Seas” to a revered community leader, he channeled his wealth into founding Xiamen University and Jimei Schools Village, laying the cultural foundation for what is now known as the “Jia Geng Spirit.”
Xiamen and Singapore have long reflected one another in spirit and style. The streets and shophouses of Xiamen carry the nostalgic essence of old Nanyang, while its modern skyline and clean orderliness mirror Singapore’s cosmopolitan energy. Now, through the “Jia Geng” Flight, the two cities are linked more closely than ever.
“I never imagined there would be a flight named after my grandfather,” said Tan Dib Jin, Tan Kah Kee’s eldest grandson. “I hope the ‘Jia Geng’ Flight will inspire more international travelers to discover the beauty and culture of Xiamen, and deepen the friendship and cooperation between Xiamen and Singapore.”
As the family’s torchbearer, Tan Dib Jin frequently travels between the two cities, continuing to promote the Jia Geng Spirit through education, cultural exchange, and philanthropy — ensuring that his grandfather’s ideals remain as vibrant today as they were a century ago.
From Sea to Sky — The Jiageng Spirit Lives on
The “Jia Geng” Flight is more than a tribute to a visionary; it stands as a symbol of enduring friendship between Xiamen and Singapore, and a living expression of the Xiamen University motto engraved in stone — “Self-improvement with unremitting effort; pursue excellence to the highest.”
The name “Jia Geng” has long been woven into the fabric of Xiamen — from Xiamen University and Jiageng Theatre to Jiageng Library. This year, as China and Singapore mark the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations, Xiamen Airlines has carried that legacy into the sky, extending the Jia Geng Spirit across four dimensions — sea, land, air, and space.
At sea, the Xiamen University Jiageng Research Vessel has sailed nearly 190,000 nautical miles over seven years, advancing marine science in the spirit of discovery and perseverance. On land, the Jiageng Metro Train runs along the Gaoji Causeway, a project Tan Kah Kee once championed to connect communities. In space, the Jiageng-1 Reusable Rocket continues to break through the skies, embodying innovation and progress. And now, in the air, the “Jia Geng” Flight links Xiamen and Singapore with renewed meaning — bridging the past and future through shared heritage and aspiration.
In Singapore, Tan Kah Kee remains a figure of deep respect — an entrepreneur, educator, and community leader whose contributions shaped the nation’s Chinese cultural and educational landscape. He founded The Chinese High School (now Hwa Chong Institution), Singapore’s first Chinese secondary school. His legacy lives on not only in the Tan Kah Kee MRT Station, but also on the SGD 20 commemorative note issued in 2019 to mark Singapore’s bicentennial — a lasting testament to his enduring influence.
“Naming a flight after ‘Jia Geng’ unites sea, land, air, and even space,” said Daryl Tan, great-grandson of Tan Kah Kee. “It gives the Jia Geng Spirit a new dimension — one that transcends time and geography. Jia Geng belongs not only to Xiamen or Singapore, but to the world. It reminds us, his descendants, to carry forward his values of sincerity and perseverance, and to continue contributing to our nation and society in this new era.”
Further announcements about the “Jia Geng” Flight will be made on 21 October.
