National Day Rally

ENGLISH TEXT OF NATIONAL DAY RALLY SPEECH 2007 IN MANDARIN
SUNDAY, 19 AUGUST 2007
AT THE UNIVERSITY CULTURAL CENTRE, NUS

Introduction
1. Singapore is thriving and in good shape

2. We enjoyed three consecutive years of growth, and expect another good year

3. Current turbulence in global financial markets
a. Singapore’s stock market fell in recent days
b. We are monitoring this closely
c. The impact on the global economy is not yet clear
d. If consumer confidence weakens in US, then the economies in Asia and Singapore will be affected
e. But the economic fundamentals for Asia and Singapore remain strong
f. Hence I believe that our prospects for the medium to long-term are very good

4. So far this year, we have enjoyed good growth in many areas
a. Tourism is growing strongly.  Last year, a record high of nearly 10 million tourists visited Singapore
b. In other industries, many companies are doing well. Profits are up.  Workers are receiving better pay and higher bonuses
c. As a result, the retail sector is getting better.  Perhaps, this was also due to the distribution of the GST Offset Package last month
d. Even the seventh month groups are active and bustling.  According to newspaper reports, ‘getai’ stage fees are higher
e. Of course, everyone knows that the property market is going up – some are happy, while others are sad

Importance of Multi-Lingualism
5. One reason for our success is our understanding of languages and culture around our neighbourhood.

6. In particular, our ability to speak and write Mandarin is a major asset when we do business in China.
a. Many Singapore companies and Singaporeans are all over China. They have paid their “tuition fees” and are now doing well

1. For example, Hyflux has 25 major projects in China, dealing with water treatment and desalination.  With NEWater, we have turned a disadvantage into a strength, and we recently won the Stockholm Industry Water Prize.  Singaporeans worked together, overcame the odds, and gained international recognition. This focus has also helped Hyflux in its ventures in China.
2. CapitaLand is investing and managing 72 malls in China.  Three of the malls are called “Raffles Cities”. The one in Shanghai is among the busiest

b. Singaporeans are also doing very well in Shanghai.

1. There are 10,000 of us in Shanghai, and many have made significant inroads into the market
2. There are also many Singapore brands, for example, Bee Cheng Hiang, Breadtalk and Food Republic etc.

7. While Singaporeans go to China to look for opportunities, many Chinese are also coming to Singapore. There are a million Chinese tourists a year. Chinese officials are coming here to learn how we do things.  There is one major reason for choosing Singapore – they are very comfortable here; they face no language barriers and are familiar with our social norms.

8. We must press on with efforts to maintain high standards of Mandarin, and to popularise its use.  With nearly 30 years of history, SAP schools play an important role in promoting Mandarin
a. SAP schools have set their direction and put in place many plans. I believe they will nurture many bilingual and bicultural talents
b. The bicultural programmes are very popular

1. This year, over 900 students in schools and JCs have enrolled in the programme.  Next year, there will be more
2. In Tao Nan Primary, students in the Bicultural Elective Programme use Chinese for many lessons.  About 40% of the students’ curriculum time is in Chinese.
3. Another example is Hwa Chong Institution, which has set up a satellite campus in Beijing.   All students on the bicultural programme have the opportunity to study in Beijing and be immersed in the environment there for several months
4. These new approaches are innovative, popular and effective. They show that our SAP schools are continually changing and improving.  They will not let down the expectations of the community.

c. MOE will continue to give full support to SAP schools, help them to strengthen the teaching of Chinese language and culture, so that they can pass on the torch to the next generation.

9. SCCCI also plays a crucial role in the task of promoting Chinese.
a. SCCCI is taking the lead to set up a new club called “Business China”.
b. The club will bring together those interested in China, including businessmen, professionals, young entrepreneurs and students, so that they will have a chance to network and interact, and use Mandarin to discuss important issues
c. MM has agreed to be its Patron, while DPM Wong Kan Seng and other Ministers will serve as Advisors
d. This demonstrates the Government’s support for this plan 

10. We will also do more to encourage civil servants to stay current in Mandarin.
a. Our diplomats need to be good in different languages.  In MFA, officers receive an allowance if they maintain proficiency in languages for purposes of work.

1. But in fact other ministries like MTI, MND and Civil Service College also have extensive contacts with foreign countries.  Yet officers in these ministries do not receive this allowance.
2. We will therefore extend the language allowance to these agencies.
3. The allowance will give them a tangible incentive to maintain their language skills.
4. I expect many officers will choose Mandarin, because of its practical value.
5. This is in line with the Government’s commitment to promote the use of Mandarin

b. Besides Mandarin, we also need other languages, especially Malay

1. Singapore is located in Southeast Asia. Hence we need to encourage more Singaporeans to learn Malay or Bahasa Indonesian. Then we can interact with our neighbours, do business with them, and improve mutual understanding
2. We will incentivise more non-Malays to learn Malay. This will be a third language, and will not replace your mother tongue. I will elaborate more on this in English later.

c. I should emphasise that our mother tongue policy remains the same.
d. It is natural for the next generation to learn Chinese.
e. Recent newspaper commentaries highlighted that economics should not be the motive for learning Chinese.

1. I agree it should not be the sole motive.
2. But the rise of China is encouraging many people to take Chinese seriously.  Around the world, there is a strong interest, and millions are learning Chinese
3. We must take full advantage, and get more people to master the language.

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