National Day Rally 2004 (Mandarin)

The Mandarin speech starts at 13:18

国庆群众大会 2004

各位同胞

引言

明年，新加坡将欢庆40周年国庆。这些年来，我们取得了不少成就，并赢得其他国家的尊敬。我们刻苦耐劳，举国上下紧密合作，所以成功了。我们采纳了各种明智和有远见的政策，使整个国家受惠，并推动我们向前迈进。不过，更重要的是，新加坡人越来越有互相关怀的精神，人民和政府之间也建立了互相信任的关系。

这种互相信任的关系，是在李光耀先生担任总理时便开始建立的。他和那一代的新加坡人，充满建国的理想和热忱，他们相信我们能够建立一个全民一心，政府和人民同心同德的国家。吴作栋先生加强了这种良好的关系。吴先生以亲切和真诚的态度同人民沟通。他拉近了各民族、各阶层人士的距离，促使大家一起为共同的目标努力。

这种全民一心的精神，是我们最宝贵的资产。我们必须保留和发扬这样的精神。 当我们分析和处理问题的时候，必须要讲求逻辑和理智，这样才可以制定明智可行，对国家有利的政策。不过，绝对不能忘记，任何一项政策都会影响民生。政策的问题就是民生的问题。政府须要尽力处理老百姓关注的课题。

重组和寻找工作

许多基层领袖告诉我，我们的当前急务是把经济搞好，制造更多的工作职位。这是降低失业率，帮忙低收入家庭的最好方法。我同意。这就是为什么我们要着手重组经济，使新加坡更具竞争力，吸引更多投资。我们的策略开始见效了，但是，这只是一个开始。

我有信心，如果我们继续重组经济，新加坡将能够吸引更多投资，更多游客，激发更多人自行创业，让新加坡和这个区域一起增长。我们的政策, 能为国家开创美好的未来。

但是，对个人来说，经济重组可能是痛苦的。一些人会失去现有的工作，新的工作也会出现。我们必须协助受影响的工人重新接受训练，提升技能，寻找可以胜任的新工作。我们有不少计划――例如政府的津贴，社区组织的援助等等，可以帮助生活出现问题的人。但是，同样重要的是，工人必须提升自己，争取新的工作的机会。要不然，他们将会落伍，失去自尊心，无法为家人提供好生活。

我很高兴看到不少年长工人掌握了新技能，成功的转行。为了表扬这些工人，新加坡劳动力发展局最近和《联合晚报》联合举办了“英雄榜”竞赛。今年的一位优胜者是张莲仙女士。她在一家银行担任督工23年。去年，她被裁退了。不过，她没有放弃，她参加了部分时间的护士助理课程。由于她表现杰出，全国心脏中心颁给她一份奖学金，让她报读全职的护理课程。现在，她找到了一份很有意义的工作――帮助心脏病病人。张女士很有决心，很有自立的精神，又肯为社会尽一份力。她能做到的，许多被裁退的工人也能做到。

生活成本和医药费

新加坡人关心工作，也关心生活费和医药费的问题，因为这些课题直接影响个人的生计。有时候，生活费的上涨不是我们所能够控制的，例如，原油价格的上升造成电费的上涨。鸡蛋也因为禽流感的蔓延而起价。

那些我们能够控制的问题，我们一定会尽力而为，以减轻人们的负担。大家都担心家人或自己会突然生一场大病，需要接受昂贵的治疗。我们须要改善健保双全计划，让人们更有能力应付高昂的医药费。这会减轻人民的顾虑和担优。卫生部长许文远正在处理这个问题。

解决生活费上涨的长远办法，是保持一个有竞争性，有活力，使大家受惠的经济。唯有这样，工资才会上升，才可帮助人们应付生活费的上涨。我们也能为失业者和贫困的人提供更多援助。

年长的新加坡人

年长的新加坡人特别担心生活费和医药费的问题。许多人已经退休，依靠公积金过活。因为我的就职演讲着重谈年轻一代的问题，有一些老一辈的人觉得被忽视了。政府不会忘记他们。其实，我们有责任好好照顾他们。有了他们，国家才有今天的成就。他们是社会里值得我们尊敬的成员。

政府最近填补年长新加坡人的保健储蓄户头，就是为了帮助他们，希望这么做能够减轻他们的医药负担。如果我们在未来有财政盈余可以分发给人民，我们不会忘记提供更多援助给年长的人。我们也会尽力在政策上做一些调整，让老年人生活得更自在。譬如说，只懂华文的老年人，出门行动时感到很不方便。因为公共场所的各种标志用的是英文。尤其是乘搭地铁时，他们更看不懂标志。的确，除了牛车水和少数的地铁站，其他地铁站的标志全用英文。不过，这些技术上的问题是可以解决的。政府已经决定在所有的地铁站，设置多种语文的标志。我希望这能帮助那些不会英文的新加坡人。

中华文化和语言

除了民生课题，我们也必须积极保留文化传统。这样一来，我们才能清楚地认识自己的文化、自己的根。对新加坡华人来说，要保留文化传统，就必须掌握华文华语。

我在华校就读了12年。这12 年，奠定了我的生活观和处世的态度。今天，不论中国大陆或在台湾，我都听得懂当地人所说的话，不需要依赖通译员。在官方会议以外的交流，我都以华语进行，增进双方的感情和亲切感。

双语政策将继续是我国教育制度的基石。不过，我们必须改进母语的课程和教学方式。我们不能采用划一的教学方式， 我们应该根据学生的能力和家庭的背景进行灵活教学。我们要确保每一名学生都有兴趣学习和使用母语。对学习能力较差的学生，我们必须设定实际的水准。同时，能力强又有兴趣的学生，我们应该为他们提供更多进修华文的机会。

我们必须培育一批精通两种文化的人材。教育部将推出一套高水平、充实的课程，以实现这个目标。这个课程所培养的，将是有能力掌握英文和华文，同时也了解中华文化和历史的学生。他们应熟悉古典文学，也应了解中国的近代史，现代史，以及社会的潮流。这对我国华族文化的传承是非常重要的。此外，这批人材能够同中国人在同一个思想频道上沟通，因为他们熟悉中国的文化典故，也了解中国人的思维。我们不可能要求每个人精通两种语文，不过，那些做得到的人，肯定会很吃香，就业前景美好。

与中国的双边关系

我们虽然积极保留各民族的传统文化，并且鼓励人民使用母语，但是，我们必须记住，我们归根究底是新加坡人。尽管我们使用的语言相同，但是新加坡不是中国，也不是马来西亚、印尼或印度。我们是主权独立的国家，拥有自己的国家利益和观点。

我最近到台湾进行私人和非官式访问，引起了中国的强烈反应。中国抗议说，我们违背了“一个中国”的原则。我到台湾访问，当然不是有意要触怒中国。这不可能是我的目的，因为我们珍惜与中国的关系。我曾经和中国许多高层领导人会面，我很感谢他们热情的接待，我很重视彼此间的友谊，也很赞赏他们支持两国合作的积极态度。不过，即使是友好国家，有时候也会发生利益分歧, 或对同一个问题选择不尽相同的解决办法。这是国际政治的一个客观现实。当两国的意见不同时，我们必须冷静地站稳立场。

让我说明我为什么有必要去一趟台湾。台湾海峡两岸的危险局势，是本区域潜在的最大安全问题。在目前紧张的局势下，身为总理，我必须作出困难的判断。我了解中国领导人绝对严肃地看待台独问题。不过，我也必须亲自了解台湾方面的想法。在我从政的二十年当中，我认识了许多台湾各界人士，其中一些已经成为了泛绿和泛蓝两大阵营的主要领导人。唯有充分的了解了两岸领导人的思维，我才能对局势作出不偏不倚的客观评估，其他国家才会重视我们观点。这样，我们才可以协助避免有关各方对台海局势做出错误判断。我如果坐在办公室里，单靠阅读报告或观看电视新闻，是不可能透彻的了解实际状况的。

我们了解“一个中国”是中国的核心利益。自1965年独立建国以来，新加坡一贯保持“一个中国”的立场，因为这也符合新加坡的切身利益。1990年10月，我们和中国建立了外交关系。当时，中国已了解新加坡对台湾的立场，也了解由于历史因素，新加坡在台湾有着独特和重要的利益。这种利益对维持新加坡的国家安全仍旧非常重要。因此，我的台湾之行，并没有违背或改变我们的“一个中国”政策。

台湾方面十分了解新加坡的“一个中国”政策，也知道我们坚决反对台独。我们对台独势力的抬头感到非常担忧。因此，如果说我的访问助长了台独势力，这是不符事实的。

我访台之后得出的判断是，台湾海峡的确存在着误判和擦枪走火的可能。海峡两岸的人民都是我们的好朋友。一旦战争爆发，我们就会面临一个困难的抉择。这是我们非常不愿意看到的局面。不过，如果冲突是由台湾方面所挑起，那么新加坡不会支持台湾。

新加坡和中国的合作关系，向来建立在平等、相互尊重和互惠互利的基础上。如果我们的合作受到影响，对两国都不利。

我访问台湾引起中国的强烈反应，使两国关系受到影响，我对此感到遗憾。我也对台湾媒体渲染和错误报道我在台湾的行程感到遗憾。

我不会改变我国的“一个中国”政策。不过，我有必要到台湾一行,同当地的领导人会面，以便在面对危机时，有把握为新加坡作出正确的决定。

养儿育女

让我跟着讨论一个重要的课题，那就是生儿育女的问题。过去，华族家庭喜欢多子多孙，多数家庭是三代同堂。但时代改变了，人们对生儿育女的想法也改变了。现在，我们最头痛的，是婴儿不够的问题。其实，这是个老问题，但情况越来越严重。

这里的华人还很传统。我们的婴儿有多少，跟生肖很有关系。1988年，我们大丰收，总共有五万个龙子龙女。但十二年后的2000年，数目减少到四万个。去年不是龙年，婴儿少得可怜，只有32,000个。如果一切顺其自然，到了2012年，这条龙可能缩小成一条小虫！

我了解年轻人的事业心很重，也有很多生活目标。我们必须设法减轻他们养育子女的负担。接下来，我会在英语演说中，宣布一些新的措施。

总而言之，生儿育女关系到价值观的问题。我们希望年轻一代重视家庭亲情，疼爱孩子。他们应该是为了享受天伦之乐才养育子女。

总结

我们的先辈建设的新加坡，结合了东西方的精华，这里有很多做生意、或施展才能的机会。我们常说，上人种树下人凉，我们这一代，正享受着上一代人辛勤耕耘的成果，我们也应该继续为自己和为我们的后代，种植能够遮阴乘凉的果树。

世界正快速的转变，新加坡也是如此。我很荣幸，能够在这个时候，带领年轻一代的新加坡人，在这个岛国为大家建立一个温馨的家园，为后一代的新加坡人打造美好的未来。

谢谢大家。

* * * * *

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.

Conclusion

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.

Videos and transcripts

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