SPEECH BY PRIME MINISTER LEE HSIEN LOONG AT CHAR YONG (DABU) ASSOCIATION 150TH ANNIVERSARY GALA DINNER, 4 OCTOBER 2008, 8.45PM, AT SUNTEC BALLROOM
(English translation provided after Chinese text)
李显龙总理于新加坡茶阳（大埔）会馆创馆150周年晚宴演讲
2008年10月4日
蓝正厚会长
各位来宾，各位同胞
大家晚上好
我很高兴今晚能够出席这个晚宴，跟大家一起庆祝茶阳会馆创立150周年。
引言
2． 一个半世纪以前，新加坡是英国的殖民地，那时距离莱佛士发现这个小岛仅仅39年。在那百业待兴的时刻，不少客家先辈已经在这里辛勤耕耘，参与开发和垦荒的工作，并且自行组织起来，创立会馆，以互相呼应和照顾。这些先驱者展现的正是客家人勇于开拓、善于适应的特性。
3． 本地客家社群悠久的历史和独特的文化习俗，值得我们宣扬和珍惜。茶阳会馆配合今年的150周年会庆，举办了一个客家文化节，展开了一系列的文化活动，让新加坡人有机会欣赏各地客家人的生活面貌、文物、山歌、舞蹈、美食等，从而对客家文化和传统有更深一层的认识。我听说，悠扬的客家山歌对联系各地客家乡亲发挥很大的作用。
发扬客家人的精神
4． 在历史上，客家人的祖先源自中原。千百年来，客家先民为了躲避战乱，不断由中原向南方迁徙，最终在广东、福建等地落户，居住的地方多为贫瘠、荒僻的山区。客家人在这频繁的迁徙中，以及在恶劣的生活环境里，磨练出一种坚韧不拔的精神。近几百年来，数百万客家人又从中国飘洋过海，到南洋和世界各地谋生。几乎是有华人的地方，就有客家人。无论是在什么地方，他们都保留了原有的价值观和精神面貌。一些学者以16个字概括客家人的族群精神。那就是：“四海为家，冒险进取，敬祖睦宗，爱国爱乡。”许多客家人秉承和发扬了这样的精神，因此事业有成，并且为各地社会作出很多贡献。
5． 在新加坡华人社会里，客家人是少数社群。但是，他们历来是社会里活跃和很有作为的一员，在工商界，政界，文教界和各专业领域都有杰出的表现。其中，在政治领导人中，除了李光耀资政之外，好几位前任部长都是客家人，包括韩瑞生，胡赐道，侯永昌和李炯才。他们对国家的发展作出很大的贡献。
6． 在族群文化的传承方面，新加坡的客家社群所面对的困难不小，这跟整个华社所面对的情况一样。在这全球化、科技日新月异的时代，传统文化容易失传，具有永恒价值的精神品质也容易流失。我们应该竭尽所能防止这个局面的出现，以免下一代成为无根之木，无源之水。华社面对的一个挑战是如何以更活泼生动的方式呈现传统文化，使年轻一代觉得容易亲近。茶阳会馆和一些社团在宣扬文化方面做了不少工作，包括设立中英双语的网站。最近，丰永大公会宣布设立一个“客家先贤文化纪念馆”。这是传扬客家文化和精神的一项有意义的计划。
抓紧中国崛起的机遇
7． 我国客家社群除了积极保留传统文化之外，也可以帮助我们抓紧中国崛起所带来的机遇。中国经过30年的改革开放，已经出现翻天覆地的改变，经济突飞猛进，成了“世界的工厂”。最近举行的北京奥运会取得圆满的成功，显示了中国人的才干、创意和非凡的组织能力。一个星期前，“神州七号”顺利发射升空，中国航天员成功实施首次出舱活动，展现中国在航天事业所取得的突破和成就。
8． 新加坡人了解中国的经济发展状况和潜能，并且很积极的在各省各市寻找商机，其中的一些投资已经取得漂亮的成绩。我们应该继续抓紧时机。茶阳会馆和华人社团可以利用它们在中国的人脉网络，为新加坡的商人穿针引线，使他们能够更顺利地开展业务。此外，茶阳会馆跟全球各地大埔乡亲所建立的联系，也有利于我们开拓海外市场和进行投资，并且可以加强新加坡作为一个国际都市的地位。在今晚的来宾里，就有许多来自世界各个角落的大埔乡亲，让我向你们表示热烈的欢迎。
造福社会
9． 茶阳会馆能够扮演的另一个社会角色，是继续在公益事业上尽心尽力。茶阳在一个世纪前曾经创立学校和医社，造福社会和乡亲。近年来，茶阳不但继续负起照顾乡亲福利的使命，还更积极的支持公益慈善事业。茶阳最近从售卖产业获得一亿多元的资金，会馆领导人表示将善加管理这笔资金，进行适当的投资，并将作长远之计，把赚取的利润充作经营会馆和公益的用途。我建议会馆考虑支持一些重要的文教活动，特别是那些能够激发学生对华族文化和语文的兴趣的活动，例如资助学校添购华文书籍，或者赞助学生观赏华族文化演出。
10．茶阳会馆是个深入民间的团体，因此也可以协助政府宣扬种族和谐的信息，并且参与各族之间的沟通和交流。茶阳最近在举办客家文化节的时候，积极争取其他族群前来参加，以促进彼此之间的了解，这是令人鼓舞的作法。
结论
11．茶阳会馆一个半世纪里经历重大的历史变革，至今仍然能够在社会上扮演有用的角色，可见它一直跟随时代的步伐，不断作出调整和改革。这样的成就值得赞许。我也祝愿茶阳会馆保持朝气和活力，继续为我国社会的和谐与进步作出贡献。
谢谢大家。
(ENGLISH TRANSLATION)
Mr Lang Chin Ngau, President of Char Yong Association,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Introduction
1. I am happy to be here today to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Char Yong Association.
2. One and a half centuries ago, just 39 years after Sir Stamford Raffles arrived in Singapore, the Hakka people were already here, helping to develop the land and build up the economy. They took care of and watched out for one another, and organised themselves to form clan societies. These early pioneers truly demonstrated the resolute spirit and adaptable nature of the Hakka people.
3. There are many unique aspects to Hakka culture and history that we should preserve and showcase to a wider audience. In celebration of its 150th Anniversary, Char Yong Association has organised a series of Hakka cultural events, including cultural shows, concerts, arts and photography exhibitions, even a Hakka food festival. Such events can help to preserve the Hakka heritage, promote appreciation of Hakka culture, and link up the various Hakka associations from all over the world.
Sustaining Hakka Values
4. The Hakka originated in the central plains of China, north of the Yangtze River. They were forced by war and conflicts to move progressively southwards, and after a series of migrations settled in Fujian and Guangdong provinces. Being later arrivals, the Hakka were forced to settle in the hilly, less-fertile areas, and had to struggle to eke out a living. They developed a culture that valued hard work and perseverance. When the Hakka migrated overseas, these qualities put them in good stead whether they went. With the Hakka spirit – some scholars have described this spirit with these sixteen characters: “四海为家，冒险进取，敬祖睦宗，爱国爱乡” (at home everywhere in the world, taking risks to achieve goals, respecting ancestors, and loving the country and the ancestral village) – they became prosperous and successful all over the world.
5. The Hakka have always been a minority dialect group here. But they have made many contributions Singapore, and excel in many fields, including in politics, business, the arts and many professional fields. In the political domain, apart from the Minister Mentor, a good number of ex- and current Ministers are Hakkas e.g. Mr Hon Sui Sen, Dr Richard Hu and Mr Howe Yoon Chong.
6. The challenge for the Hakka today is to pass on its values to a new generation, who would not have undergone the same hardships. This is also the challenge for the entire Chinese community, as many traditional cultures and values face the threat of erosion in our fast-changing world. The Association plays an important role in helping young Hakka Singaporeans to learn about their history, appreciate the struggles of their ancestors, and internalise the Hakka spirit of resilience and diligence. It has done much in this area, including setting up a bilingual website to reach out to young Hakka Singaporeans. Another worthwhile effort is the initiative by several Hakka groups (under the 丰永大公会) to establish a heritage centre to honour the pioneers.
Seizing Opportunities from the Rise of China
7. Char Yong Association can also help Singapore to tap on China’s rapid economic growth. After 30 years of economic liberalisation, China today is in ascendant. It enjoys strong economic growth, and has become the “factory” for the world. The Beijing Olympics demonstrated to the world the country’s organisational and creative capabilities, and fulfilled the “hundred years’ dream” of the Chinese. Recently, Chinese “taikonauts” successfully executed a “space walk”, being only the third country to do so.
8. Many cities in China are making significant investments to upgrade their infrastructure, industry and people, and opportunities abound for investors. But doing business in China requires familiarity with the business environment there and preferably reliable partners who can help to resolve ground issues. The Char Yong Association has a valuable asset in its link to China. It can establish and maintain a “guanxi” network for business contacts and partnerships. Also useful are Char Yong Association’s links with other Dabu associations from all over the world. Singapore is rapidly becoming an international city, and it is good that the Association has also maintained an active outward orientation. I am happy to see that representatives from many Dabu Associations all over the world are present here tonight.
Serving the Community
9. Char Yong Association has done many good works in Singapore. In the early years, Char Yong ran schools and clinics for the Chinese immigrants who came here. Today, the Association is still active in education and healthcare causes, and has donated generously to schools, hospitals and many other charitable organisations. The Association recently sold Char Yong Gardens for more than $100 million, and has indicated that it would invest the sum and use annual returns from the investment for upkeep expenses as well as long term charitable work. I hope that Char Yong will use some of these funds to help promote Chinese language and culture, such as to purchase Chinese books for schools or to sponsor students to attend Chinese cultural performances.
10. Char Yong Association must continue to be a Singapore community organisation, serving its members but also helping to improve ethnic ties and strengthen our social fabric. The Association has helped to promote understanding among different ethnic groups, for example, by inviting Singaporeans of all races to participate in the Hakka cultural shows and food festival. Such efforts are important in our multi-racial, multi-religious society.
Conclusion
11. The Char Yong Association has kept up with the times and has remained a vibrant organisation after 150 years. This is an exceptional achievement. I congratulate Char Yong on its 150th Anniversary. I also commend Char Yong for your community work and active contributions to charity. I hope that you will always remain a successful organisation and an active institution in Singapore.