国庆群众大会 2005
各位亲爱的同胞:
引言
今年我们庆祝独立四十周年。跟文明古国相比，新加坡还是个年轻的国家。但是作为一个新兴国家，四十年是一个重要的里程碑。在第二次大战结束之后，许许多多殖民地国家纷纷摆脱殖民统治，宣布独立。然而，多数新兴国家独立不久，就遇到种种复杂困难的问题,陷入长期的困境。很少新兴国家能够像新加坡这样，以兴奋的心情庆祝四十周年国庆。我们的经济欣欣向荣，教育发达普及，人民安居乐业。我相信各族同胞都会对我们的成就感到喜悦和自豪。
融洽的外交关系
有人说 “小国无外交”。事实上，对新加坡这样的弹丸小国来说，外交工作极为重要。过去一年，我们不仅加强了同亚细安国家的联系，跟日本和印度的关系也更加紧密。我上个月在华盛顿访问时，同布什总统签署了“战略框架协定”（Strategic Framework Agreement）。这个协定大大地促进了两国的合作，特别是在国防和国家安全方面,这是因为两国都很重视反恐的工作。
我们同中国的关系也已恢复正常，中国全国人大常委会委员长吴邦国今年五月到新加坡进行成功的正式友好访问。吴仪副总理将在九月到访，以出席第二次新中双边合作联合委员会会议。我年底将到中国访问，以进一步加强两国的关系。
新加坡向来坚持一个中国的原则。作为海峡两岸的朋友，我们很高兴看到连战先生和宋楚瑜先生最近在中国进行了成功的访问。两岸关系缓和了，区域的局势也稳定下来，这对每个国家都有好处。
新的一代，新的信心
近几年，我注意到新加坡华社有了新气象。华社出现了一批生力军。这些年轻人受过良好教育，通晓双语，又了解华族文化。他们很有点子，也很有冲劲，因此在职场上相当吃香。他们相信自己能够为国家开拓海外的经济空间，帮助国家应付未来的挑战。
更叫人鼓舞的是，老一代的华校生，（也就是我这一辈, 或比我年纪大一点的华校生），也不落人后，逐渐活跃起来。很多年轻时无缘上大学的“老牌”华校生，现在也有机会一圆大学之梦。他们有的修读开放大学的课程，有的修读中国大学在本地开设的课程，当起“超龄学生”，充分享受学习的乐趣。
中国的崛起，让大家看到华文的美好前景。受华文教育的人士对华族文化的延续也更有信心。一般来说，华族对自己的文化越来越有兴趣，并有更深的认识。一些只懂英文的人，开始学习华文；另一些在荒废华文多年之后的人，也重新发现华文的好处，如获至宝。梁智强说，英校毕业生是“精英”，因为精通英语,所以是“精英”; 而真正的“精华”是华校生, 但很可惜的,现有的华校生已经是“最后的精华”。我不同意他的看法。我认为故事才刚刚开始，正在上演的绝不是“最后的精华”，而是“最好的精华”的第一集，真正的好戏还在后头。
我曾经遇到在中港台工作的年轻新加坡人。他们告诉我，他们很感激政府“强迫”他们学华文。当年在学校里叫苦连天，现在获益不浅。至于感恩图报, 我就不大清楚了。不过,至少他们了解,少了华文的基础，他们不可能在中港台大展拳脚。这是我们的长处, 必须好好掌握它。
很多西方人也开始学习华文。美国各大学的中文课程都爆满。美国著名投资家Jim Rogers最近到新加坡来。他曾是乔治.索罗斯（George Soros）的生意合伙人。他正在考虑是否要在新加坡定居, 因为他希望让会讲简单华语的两岁大女儿, 在一个双语的环境里长大。他对中国的长远前景充满信心。记者问他投资的贴士，他说：“我的忠告是，让你的孩子或孙子学习华文，这将是他们一生中最重要的语文。”
如果连一位不懂华语的洋人都那么重视华语的学习，那我想懂得华语的年轻家长，更应该好好利用你们的优势，培养精通双语的年轻一代。当然,先要有孩子,这是大前提。
我们去年着手修订华文课程与教材，以便让华文教学在这里开花结果，使华文在新加坡的前景一片光明。我希望大家继续热烈支持这项改革。
面对的问题和挑战
新加坡人除了文化的问题之外，也很关注柴米油盐的民生课题。
我知道很多人担心工作不保。实际上，世界各地的人士都同样关注饭碗问题，连形势一片大好的中国也不例外。去年, 李资政去中国访问, 他的医生跟中方派来的保安队队长讨论这个问题。医生告诉队长,你们前途很光明,一定很兴奋,中国崛起,到处都有机会。这个队长说, 没有这么简单。十三亿中国人,每一个就业机会，两、三百人申请，而且申请者的条件都优异, 竞争很强, 所以我们也必须拼。在环球化的时代里，竞争越来越激烈，这是无可逃避的现实。
当然, 我们面对环球化, 并不是束手无策的。我们必须努力解决各项环球化带来的社会问题。我国人口正逐渐老化，大家也为医药费的上涨感到担忧。我稍后在英语演讲中，会解释如何让人们延迟退休, 活到老, 学到老, 做到老。在医药保健的问题上，我们也有一些计划。我们将提高健保双全计划的年龄顶限，也计划放宽保健储蓄的条例，让大家能更灵活的使用保健储蓄。许文远部长正在研究如何落实这些调整。
我们也将着重协助低收入的人。近年经济走下坡的时候，许多工人的花红和加班津贴都减少了, 所以薪水缩水了。现在虽然经济好转，他们的收入已有所改善，尤其是最近一两年, 但是很多人的收入还没有完全恢复。低收入家庭受到的影响最大。所以,他们为生活费担忧，这是可想而知的。我们会着手帮忙这些同胞。
政府制定了各种扶贫济困的计划，包括成立了社区关怀基金，向陷入困境的家庭伸出援手。我们累积了经验后，将会逐步改善这些计划。可是我们必须很清楚, 我们的目标是让受惠者尽快自食其力，自力更生, 而不是长期依赖政府, 养成依赖的惯性。
我们扶持低收入同胞的一个重要策略，是帮助他们拥有资产，特别是建屋局的组屋。这个策略远比津贴消费来得好。如果我们模仿一些西方国家，提供慷慨的失业救济金，一定会养成人民过度依赖政府的心态。政府推行多年的居者有其屋政策，已经使绝大多数的公民拥有资产, 连低收入的新加坡人也至少有一间三房式组屋。当低收入家庭要购买组屋的时候，我看我们可以调整政策,给予他们更多帮助。现在, 大家买组屋, 价钱都一样。可是以后, 我们可以在低收入人士的公积金户头注入一笔特别津贴，帮助他们购买组屋。价钱一样, 津贴不同。这样应该可以缩小贫富之间的差距。
扶贫济困的工作不应该由政府包办，这是很不明智的。民间的福利与自愿团体也可以扮演重要的角色。这些团体有许多热心的自愿人士，他们熟悉个别社群和残疾人士的需要，他们办得到的，政府未必办得到。同时，如果较成功的人，愿意热心地帮助不幸的人，我们的社会必定会更有温情，更有凝聚力。我们会有一个更稳固的社会基础。
在新加坡的慈善机构中，全国肾脏基金的规模最大，也拥有最多捐献者。八频道的观众向来给予肾脏基金大力的支持，体现大家同舟共济的精神。当国人听说肾脏基金的管理有问题时，都感到惊讶和愤怒。我完全理解大家的感受。
现在，全国肾脏基金有了新的领导班子。他们正在进行彻底的检讨，同时已经要求警方介入调查，一定会把事情查个水落石出，并会向公众作出交代，以纠正这个机构过去的缺失。我希望大家给予他们充足的时间进行这项工作。
与此同时，我希望大家继续支持其他慈善团体，不应该一竹竿打翻一船人。许多团体付出了不少心血，做了很多好事。如果我们不再继续支持它们，有很多需要帮助的人会被连累。
重新打造新加坡
然而，政府和慈善机构的福利援助，只能解决燃眉之急。长远之计, 是确保经济的增长。唯有经济不断的增长，我们才能不断的制造新的就业机会。同时，唯有人民不断的接受教育,训练和再训练, 他们才能掌握新技术和新知识，以从事这些新工作，赚取更高的薪金, 为家人提供更好的生活。有鉴于此，政府将尽力为人民提供培训和教育的机会。
要在经济上取得新突破，就必须重新打造新加坡。在这个瞬息万变的时代里，如果我们怕辛苦，抗拒改变，很快就会失去竞争优势。即使像中国这样的大国，也无时无刻不面对改变的压力。过去，人们常说“穷则变，变则通”。现在必须把这句话改成变则通，不变则穷“。我们不能等到山穷水尽的时候，才开始想改变，因为那时已经太迟了。中国各地流行一句口号, 他们说, 三年一小变，五年一中变，七年一大变。可是,有些地方认为三年一小变太慢了,要赶上前头,一年一小变。总之，无论是什么国家，大国也好,小国也好, 改变是免不了的！
中国政府目前正大力振兴东北。东北就是指东北三省吉林、辽宁、黑龙江。这三省的领导人都是很能干的, 因为这是焦点工作, 最重要的地方, 最难处理的问题, 所以把最能干的人派去那里。最近，这三省的领导人陆续到新加坡访问。我会见了他们。有些是老朋友;一位以前是在苏州当书记的,现在去了吉林当省长。他们都想尽快完成自己省内的经济改革。省长告诉我,他一年内必须重组国营企业,使一百万人下岗。我计算一下, 他整个省只有两千七百万人口, 所以一百万工人等于增加失业率百分之五、百分之六。这是相当惊人的数字,我们都不一定敢做。所以, 我问他：为什么这么急于改革？他说，改革的工作有如手中拿着一支冰棒，如果不尽快去做的话，冰棒溶化成水, 就完了, 什么都没有了, 所以不得不马上做。工人已经没有薪水了, 改革、下岗, 至少有中央帮忙, 省帮忙, 可以给他们一点津贴, 帮忙他们做一点生意或找一份新工作。但是这些工人自己也要争气, 自己去拼, 不能完全依靠政府或中央。如果甚至像中国这样地大物博的国家, 都必须下定决心寻求改变, 新加坡更不可以原地踏步，应该加快步伐，赶上世界的新趋势。
新加坡的整体表现如果要比其他国家好，每一位学生都必须接受良好的教育和训练，以便掌握有用的技能, 能够开拓新的道路, 拥有更多机会。我深信，天生我材必有用。我们的目标是让每一位学生在完成中学教育后继续升学。必须读完中学,然后最好再上大学, 或者理工学院, 或者工艺教育学院。我们关注的不只是大学, 也包括理工学院和工艺教育学院, 因为这是我们大多数学生就读的学府。我们要这些学院给学生高素质的教育。无论他们到那里升学，都能施展才能，成龙成凤，所谓行行能够出英雄。从长远来看，这是我们拉近贫富差距、帮助贫困家庭提升的最好方法，比福利援助好, 比政府的津贴好, 比任何红包都来得有效。因为这样一来，穷困家庭的下一代就会有更高的谋生本领，不会再面对技能低，收入少的棘手问题。
我们今后将着重发展理工学院和工艺教育学院，因为这是大多数学生就读的学府。现在, 我们的理工学院和工艺教育学院办得十分出色，是国际闻名的。但是我们并不满足，准备进一步提升它们的水平，让学生能够按照自己的能力、天分、和志向，接受高素质的专科教育和训练。
不仅年轻人应该接受良好的教育和训练，年长者也应该如此，所谓活到老，学到老。所有的工友都应该努力求上进，掌握一技之长，考取技能鉴定证书、理工学院文凭、甚至大学文凭。
另一方面，当我们的经济在转型的时候，新加坡人不仅应该掌握一技之长，还需要有良好的服务精神。唯有这样，我们才能够把服务业和旅游业办得有声有色。以前，香港人的服务态度不怎么好,尤其是如果你不会讲香港话,买东西就没有那么方便。可是亚洲金融危机之后，他们已经脱胎换骨，态度大为改善，对顾客几乎有求必应。现在你到香港买东西或吃东西, 你要什么他们都会迎合你的要求。鞋子太小换一双; 款式不好换另一个款式; 店里没有,帮你打电话问隔壁的店有没有; 不买,不要紧,谢谢你,以后再来。
这个我们还不到家。我们的服务水平如果要像香港和许多发达国家一样好，现在是迎头赶上的时候了。调整心态是第一步，我们应该以提供良好服务而感到光荣, 感到自豪。助人为快乐之本，服务精神本来就是优雅社会不可缺少的基本素质。我们不应该对服务行业存有偏见，不应该以为那是较低下的工作。无论我们从事什么工作，都一样值得尊敬，一样可出人头地。大家可能听过新加坡有一家新的餐馆, 名字叫做“桃苑”, 声誉不错, 服务很好, 我没去过, 但听说过。两位女老板原本是旅店的侍应生，她们在当了领班之后，决定下海,出来开餐馆，因此成了成功的创业者。我们必须提升我们的服务水平, 人人都有责任。
除了提供良好的服务，我们也应该重新打造我们的城市，使它活力充沛，多姿多彩。亚洲的其他城市，譬如上海和台北，也不断的求新求变。从前，被派到上海工作是一件苦差。今天，上海成了许多人的第一选择。不少新加坡人去那边度假, 甚至有些新加坡人在那边工作, 我听说, 快乐得很, 非常舒适，不想回来了。时代改变了, 世界改变了,我们也必须改变！
我们有条件改变, 有条件竞争。为什么呢? 第一, 我们的环保做得比其国家好。新加坡有机会看到蓝天白日, 其他城市黑云满天。我国青翠干净的环境，良好的治安，早已是有口皆碑的。在重造狮城的过程中，我们应充分借助这些优势。我们的建筑设计、商业和文化活动，以及整个城市的气氛，都有待改善。我们正逐步翻新组屋区，以带来一个更舒适和便利的生活环境，因为组屋区是人民居住的地方, 我们要让我们的人民在一个理想的环境里居住,这样可以使大多数国人直接受惠。 政府也将在市中心和商业区进行大规模的发展计划，目标是打造一个富有魅力和活力的都市，以吸引更多旅客、人才和投资，而新加坡人也可以享受到这个繁华都市带来的种种好处和乐趣。
结论
创业难，守业更难。今天的新加坡欣欣向荣。我们不应该只是致力于守业，而应该继续创业，自强不息，使新加坡成为一个独一无二的国家，一个人人都有机会为国贡献，人人都有机会共享成果的国家。
我深信新加坡的前途是光明的。俗语说，路是人走出来的。回头看看我们四十年来一起走过的路，我们可以为辛勤劳作的丰收感到自豪。只要我们继续勇于改变，不断更新，不断进步，我们一定能为自己，为我们的子子孙孙，开辟一条幸福的康庄大道。
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ENGLISH TEXT OF NATIONAL DAY RALLY 2004 MANDARIN SPEECH
INTRODUCTION
Next year, Singapore will turn 40. Over the years, we have attained achievements admired by others. We succeeded through hard work, and by working closely together as a country. We adopted sound and forward looking policies that benefited Singapore as a whole and propelled us forward. But most importantly, in this growing process, we cared for one another, and built trust between the people and the Government.
The process of building trust between the people and Government started when Mr Lee Kuan Yew was first elected Prime Minister. He and his generation believed passionately that we could build a future working together, government and people as one. Mr Goh Chok Tong built on this. He communicated with Singaporeans in a personal and sincere way. He got different communities and different segments of the society to work together. He brought all Singaporeans closer together.
This sense of togetherness as a nation is our most precious asset, which we must continue to enhance. We cannot run away from analysing our problems in a hard-headed, logical way, so that we can come up with sensible, workable solutions for the country as a whole. But we also know that the people are at the receiving end of policies. Policy problems are inevitably people problems. As a government, we must do what we can to address the people aspect of policies as much as possible.
RESTRUCTURING AND FINDING JOBS
Many grassroots leaders have told me that our first priority should be to grow the economy and to create more jobs. This is the way to reduce the number of people who are unemployed, and ease the pressure on low income households. I agree with them. That is why we have been restructuring our economy, so that we can become more competitive, attract more investments, and create more jobs. This strategy is working, but is only the first phase of our effort.
I am confident that if we continue the path we are taking, we will attract more investments, more tourists, fuel entrepreneurship, and grow with the region. Our policies can help us shape a bright future.
But at the people's level, restructuring can be painful. Some jobs will be lost, and new jobs will be created. We have to help workers who are affected to retrain, upgrade their skills, and find new jobs which they can do. We have also tried to cushion the pain for the poor and the worst affected, through rebates and social support. However, it is important that our older and less well educated workers make the effort to upgrade themselves and get re-employed. If not, they will be left behind, and will lose their self respect and be unable to look after their families.I am proud and pleased to learn that many of our older workers have successfully acquired new skills and switched industries. The Singapore Workforce Development Agency and Lianhe Wanbao recently organised a "Working Heroes" award, to recognise such workers. One winner this year is Ms Cheong Leng Sin (张莲仙). She was a bank supervisor — 23 years with the same bank. Last year she was retrenched. But she did not give up. She took up a part-time Nursing Assistant course. She did so well that the National Heart Centre offered her a scholarship for a full-time nursing course. Now, she got a new job, and finds it very meaningful helping patients at the Heart Centre. Ms Cheong demonstrated her resolve and her resilience to help herself, and to continue to contribute in her own way. What she did, many other retrenched workers can do too.
COST OF LIVING AND MEDICAL EXPENSES
Besides jobs, our people have two other big concerns — one is the general cost of living, another is medical costs. These affect people's lives directly. Sometimes the reasons are beyond our control. For example, crude oil prices went up and drove up up electricity charges. Prices of eggs have also gone up, because of Bird Flu in Malaysia.
But where things are within our control, and where good policies can alleviate the problems, we should try our best to adopt them. Many Singaporeans worry that our loved ones, or ourselves, can fall very sick unexpectedly, and need intensive and costly medical care. We need to improve the Medishield scheme, to give greater protection against high medical bills. This will reduce the risk and the worry. I have asked Khaw Boon Wan to work on this.
The real solution to the cost of living problem is to build a competitive, thriving economy which creates prosperity for all. That way rising incomes will help everyone to cope with any increase in the cost of living. And we can do more to help the smaller group of unemployed or needy Singaporeans.
OLDER SINGAPOREANS
Older Singaporeans are particularly worried about the cost of living and medical costs. Many are retired, and are living on their savings. Because I have focussed more on the new generation, some older Singaporeans feel left out. But we will not forget them, because we owe them an obligation. They helped to bring us here, and are respected members of our society.
That is why the Government topped up the Medisave accounts of older Singaporeans recently. This gesture will help them meet some of their medical costs. In future when we we have surpluses to distribute to citizens, we will remember to do more for our senior citizens.
Where possible, we should also make adjustments to make them feel more at home. For example, some Chinese speaking older Singaporeans have difficulty finding their way around the island because English is now used so pervasively. It is particularly a problem when they travel on the MRT. The Chinatown station and some others have Chinese signs, but not all do. This is a practical problem which we can solve. We have therefore decided to install multilingual signs in all MRT stations. This will be especially helpful to the segment of population who can only read Chinese.
CHINESE CULTURE AND LANGUAGE
Besides bread and butter issues, we also must pay attention to preserving our cultural heritage, so that we have a clear sense of who we are and where we come from. For Chinese Singaporeans, knowing and speaking Chinese is an important part of our identity.
I was in Chinese schools for twelve years. This experience formed my outlook and attitude to life. Today when I meet people in the Chinese mainland or Taiwan, I can understand directly what they say. I do not have to depend on the interpreter. Outside official meetings we converse in Mandarin, which helps to build rapport and comfort.
Bilingualism will remain the cornerstone of our education system. But we need to make changes to the syllabus and the teaching methods for the mother tongue. One size cannot fit all. We must adapt the standards to the language ability and family language backgrounds of the students, so that all students will be motivated to study and use the language. We must set realistic standards for the weaker students, while providing opportunities to those with the ability and interest to learn more.
At the top, we must develop a group of Singaporeans who are bicultural. The Government will launch a rigorous and full programme to achieve this. Students on this programme will be proficient in English, but at the same time will master the Chinese Language, and understand Chinese culture and history, including not just the old classics but China's recent past and contemporary trends. This is important for sustaining and transmitting Chinese culture in Singapore. It is also important in nurturing a group of Singaporeans who can operate on the same wavelength as the Chinese, share the same cultural references, understand their thinking, and communicate without any barriers. Not everyone can achieve a high standard in both languages, but those who can will find themselves in great demand.
BILATERAL RELATIONS WITH CHINA
While we encourage use of our mother tongues, we must remember that we are ultimately Singaporeans. Singapore is not China, Malaysia, Indonesia, or India, even though we share the same languages as these societies. We are a different country, with our own national interests and perspective.
Recently I made a private and informal visit to Taiwan. China reacted strongly, and protested that my visit contradicted our "One China" policy. I did not go to Taiwan to anger China. That could not be, because we value our relations with China. I have met many senior Chinese leaders, and deeply appreciate their goodwill and friendship, and their readiness to cooperate with Singapore. But even with friendly countries, from time to time our interests may diverge, or we may take different approaches to a problem. It is the reality of international relations. When that happens, we must quietly stand our ground.
Let me explain why I needed to pay a visit to Taiwan. The cross straits situation is potentially the most dangerous problem in the region. In the current, very tense situation, as the PM I will have to make some difficult judgment calls. I am aware that the Chinese leaders are absolutely serious about the issue of Taiwan independence. But I must also understand the thinking of the Taiwanese. In the 20 years of my political career, I made many Taiwanese friends and established many contacts, who are now key leaders on both the Pan-Green and Pan-Blue camps. I need to understand their thinking and make an impartial assessment, which other countries will accept and take seriously because we are seen to be balanced. This way Singapore can help to prevent miscalculation by some key players. I cannot get this feel just by sitting in my office, reading reports and watching CNA.
We know that "One China" is a core interest of China's. Singapore has always upheld "One China" since it is in our own vital interest to do so. We took this position right from our independence in 1965. We established diplomatic relations with China in 1990. By then China understood Singapore's position on Taiwan: that we historically have unique and important interests there which continue to be vital to our national security. My visit therefore does not contradict Singapore's "One China" policy.
The Taiwanese know well our position, that we are opposed to Taiwan independence. Indeed, we are alarmed by the rise of Taiwan independence forces. So my visit could not have emboldened those pushing for independence.
My assessment after visiting Taiwan is that there is a real risk of miscalculation and mishap. The peoples on both sides of the Strait are our good friends. Once war breaks out, we will be faced with a difficult choice. This is something we do not wish to see happen. But if the conflict is provoked by Taiwan, Singapore will not support Taiwan.
Our cooperation with China has always been on the basis of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit. If our cooperation is affected, both countries lose. I regret that my visit to Taiwan has caused this severe reaction from China which affected relations. I also regret the way the Taiwanese media played up my private and unofficial visit.
I will not change our "One China" policy. But I had no choice in making my private visit to Taiwan in order to be confident that I can take the right decision for Singapore in a looming crisis.
BUILDING THE NEXT GENERATION
Let me now move to another important topic — babies. One traditional trait of Chinese families is that they enjoy children. They aspired to have three or more generations under one roof, and to fill the house with children and grandchildren. But times have changed, family values have changed, and we now have a problem of too few babies. We have been discussing this problem since 1988, but since then it has only got more serious.
We still preserve some traditional attitudes. The Chinese birth rate fluctuates with the Zodiac calendar. During the year of the Dragon in 1988, we had a bumper crop — 50,000 babies. But 12 years later, in year 2000, the dragon was much smaller — only 40,000 babies. Last year, not a dragon year, the harvest was miserable — only 32,000 babies. At this rate, if we do not do something, by 2012, the dragon may become a little worm!
I understand that young couples now have career aspirations and other life goals besides becoming parents. We have to help our young couples cope with their parenting responsibilities, and lighten their burden of raising children.
I will announce some measures to do this later. But ultimately, this is an issue about values. We want young Singaporeans to have strong family values, to love children, and have children because they see joy in doing so.
CONCLUSION
Our forefathers build a Singapore which combines the best of east and west, and offers opportunities and fulfilling lives to all its citizens. Just as we can enjoy the fruits from the trees which they planted, let us continue to plant trees to provide shade and fruits for ourselves and for our children.
The world is fast changing, and so is Singapore. I am proud to be part of the new generation of Singaporeans building this island as a home for our people, and a country of hope for our future generations.
