National Day Rally 2025 (Mandarin)

PM spoke in Malay and Mandarin, followed by English.

For the English translation of the Mandarin speech, please see below.

* * * * *

黄总理国庆群众大会2025华语演讲

建国60周年

今年是我国建国60周年，许多民间组织自动自发主办各种活动，纪念这个重要的建国里程碑。

上个月，我出席一个配合建国60周年举办的画展，欣赏了先驱画家蔡名智和他的妻子李文彦的作品。

蔡名智先生九十三岁了，是一位写实主义画家。他喜欢画早年的新加坡河、牛车水和老街景，也常画劳动人民的生活。他在1959年创作的一幅名画叫做“国语课”，反映了当时青年学习马来文的热潮。从他的作品，我们可以感受到他对国家的热爱。新加坡独立后，他继续作画，新加坡第一任总统Yusof Ishak在钞票上的画像，就是由蔡名智先生画的。

他的女儿蔡扬告诉我，父亲相信，先有国，才有家。只有国家安定，家庭才会幸福，孩子才会有希望。因此一直以这个情怀作画。

很多年长的新加坡人，也有同样的家国情怀。他们知道新加坡的繁荣和安定，绝对不是偶然的，更不是天注定。从殖民地时代到独立建国，我们几代人不断努力，互相扶持，力争上游。大家奋力改善自己和家人的生活，也为国家的发展尽一份力。

我们一路走来，每一个家庭都在打拼，都有自己酸甜苦辣的故事，包括我自己的家庭。我的外公是个渔夫。他们一家住在东海岸的甘榜安柏。那时候，生活非常艰辛。外公没受过教育，只能出海捕鱼，赚取微薄的收入。

到了我父母那个年代，受教育的机会还是非常有限。多数人只念到小学。十多岁就到社会打工，补贴家用。我的妈妈很幸运，有机会读书。可是，她从小也需要出去工作，赚钱养家。

到了我这一代，多数人都能完成中学教育。而比我年轻的国人，情况已经大大改善。几乎所有人都有机会到工教院、理工学院或大学就读。离开学校之后，国人还有很多机会接受培训，终身学习。

自建国以来，我们的生活不断改善，也可以从出国旅行的机会看得出来。上个世纪七、八十年代，很少人有机会搭飞机出国。在我小时候，到了学校假期，爸爸有时候会开车带我们出国旅行，最远也就去到马来西亚。我们偶尔也会去樟宜机场，不是为了搭飞机出国，而是到那里吃饭，然后去看飞机起飞降落。你们看，相信大家记得这个地方。很多人可能像我一样，小时候没有什么机会坐飞机，只好去看飞机，就已经很开心了！那时候，我们的机场只有T1。今天，我们已经在建T5了！

现在，对很多家庭来说，一家大小出国旅行也已经成了每年热切期待的事。我知道很多人说，新加坡护照“很厉害”，因为去很多国家都不用签证。国际调查也显示：新加坡护照排在“世界第一”。相信大家都在充分利用这个优势，一到假期就往外跑，护照盖到满满！

向华社致敬

我们的护照受到尊重，是因为在世界各国眼中，新加坡是个值得信赖的国家。我们所享有的国际地位是建国六十年的重要成果。我们可以保持这个优势有赖于两个条件：一、良好的国家治理，二、勤奋团结的人民。

在建国历程当中，我们看到个别新加坡人的付出，也看到民间组织的贡献。而华社扮演了非常重要的角色。在殖民地时代，许多成功的华社领袖和华商热心公益事业，出钱出力，为新加坡往后的发展奠定良好的基础。他们所创办的许多社团、会馆、学校和福利组织到现在还非常活跃，让各族新加坡人受益。

华社创办的许多华校，现在已经有了新的使命，为国家培养双语双文化人才。十年树木，百年树人。传统华校教导学生自强不息，以家国为重，这样的精神影响了好几代人。

华文教师也在建国过程中，付出很多。他们默默耕耘，培养了一代又一代的社会栋梁。《联合早报》将在下个月主办一场谢师宴，为的就是感谢华文教师的付出。我会出席这个有意义的活动，向无私奉献的华文教师致谢！希望到时候我也可以见到我的老师，亲自对他们说一句：“谢谢”！

建国初期，为了培养本地华人对国家的感情，华社也在教科书方面下了不少功夫。早在上世纪30年代，他们就为本地的教科书注入南洋特色，以取代来自中国和香港的教材。最近，新传媒和新加坡华族文化中心制作了一部纪录片，提到了新加坡教科书的演变。让我们看一段视频。

从这个视频，我们可以知道：大约一个世纪前，华社已经自动自发地提倡本土意识。这对新加坡独立后的发展影响很大，不仅让我们建立自己的文化自信和认同，也促使华族对多元种族和多元文化政策的支持。

现在，新加坡华人已经有了自己的身份认同。就算远在他乡，也没有忘记自己是新加坡人。

我最近到中国访问的时候，在北京跟许多新加坡人相聚。很多人带了一家大小，有的从千里外的上海和深圳赶来。他们都说一口流利的华语，也适应了中国的生活。但是，当我们聚在一起时，马上就感觉到彼此是新加坡人—— 那种亲切感，一下子就出来了！在新加坡成长的生活经历，让我们有共同的语言、共同的话题、共同的回忆。大家离乡背井，都很想念新加坡，尤其是新加坡的美食，而我们的大使馆也没让大家失望！

新加坡人有这样的认同感，华社功不可没。接下来，政府将加强和华社的合作。

不久前，我委任徐芳达部长领导华社联络组。他和他的团队已经展开工作，拜访了各个社团和会馆。我们注意到，很多会馆面对青黄不接、资源不足的问题。我们会协助会馆克服这些困难，以便保持活力，继续为社会做出贡献。这包括推出一个全新的培训计划，有系统地栽培年轻一代的社团领袖。此外，我们也会和会馆合作，继续协助新移民融入我们的社会。

不断变化的环境

在庆祝建国六十周年的当儿，新加坡再次来到一个转捩点。我们正处于一个更变幻莫测、危机四伏的世界。美国的关税措施给全球经济带来很大的压力。中美两国之间的争端很激烈，不仅是贸易纠纷，双方在科技、军事和地缘政治方面的竞争也在加剧。这些摩擦造成深远的影响。其他国家夹在中间，也感到左右为难。

面对这一切，国人难免感到担忧，担心这会阻碍新加坡的发展，更害怕自己的饭碗受到影响，失去生活保障。

我了解大家的担忧。

政府正尽力帮助企业寻找新的商机，为工友带来新的就业机会。同时，我们也会减轻民众的生活负担。今年的财政预算案，我们推出了一项全面的配套。相信大家已经收到了CDC和SG60购物券。一家四口，今年可获得超过3000元的购物券。我们也为有年幼小孩的家庭提供帮助。希望这些措施能帮国人减轻一些生活费压力。

购物券推出后，很多榴梿小贩的反应很快，马上张贴告示说，买猫山王可以用购物券！媒体最近报道，有人一次过用800元的购物券来买榴梿！我知道大家喜欢吃榴梿。我也不例外。我希望大家买了榴梿之后，不要忘了留一些购物券购买日常用品！

政府提供的这些购物券只是短暂的帮助，不是长期解决问题的办法。

我们最终必须调整新加坡的经济策略，以应付国际局势带来的深刻变化。由颜金勇副总理领导的新加坡经济韧性小组，正在研究如何保持新加坡的竞争力。他最近忙着到不同国家访问，加强与各国的联系，目的只有一个：那就是为国人制造良好的就业机会，来继续提高大家的收入和生活水平。我在英语演讲会更具体地谈这个问题。

随着国际环境充满变数，我们必须采取果断的行动，为新加坡寻找新的发展空间。

这届大选，新加坡人给了我和我的团队明确的委托。我很感激。你们的强力委托，让我们有更大的信心去处理很多困难的问题，为新加坡寻找新的出路。

我和我的团队将推出更多计划，为大家打造一个更美好的家园。

和过去一样，这不是政府能单独完成的工作。单靠政府从上而下推行政策，新加坡是不可能取得真正的成功的。新加坡之所以能走到今天，靠的是每一位国人的努力——大家同心协力，同甘共苦，携手迎难而上。

结语

这让我想起一首福建歌“一支小雨伞”。在80年代，这首歌非常受欢迎，经常可以在大街小巷听到。

这首歌是关于两个人在雨中共用一把小雨伞。

随着雨势变大，他们的衣服湿了，看不清楚眼前的路。

但他们还唱着：“雨越大，我来照顾你，你来照顾我。”

在我们前进的道路上，还会有风风雨雨。

但我坚信，我们一定会互相照顾，为彼此遮风挡雨，一起迎接新时代的到来。

我们的未来会有挑战，但也充满希望。

我们有很多新的点子、新的计划。

只要我们万众一心，勇往直前，一定能为新加坡书写一个全新的、更加精彩的篇章！

* * * * *

English Translation of National Day Rally 2025 Mandarin Speech

SG60

This year is SG60. Many community groups have organised various activities to commemorate this important milestone.

Last month, I attended an art exhibition organised in conjunction with SG60 and admired the paintings of pioneer artists Chua Mia Tee and his wife, Lee Boon Ngan.

Mr Chua Mia Tee is 93 years old and is known for his realist paintings. He likes to paint the Singapore River, Chinatown and street scenes of olden days, and his paintings often depict the lives of working people. In 1959, he painted his iconic work “National Language Class”, which reflected the popularity of learning Malay amongst youths then. His artworks reflect his love for Singapore. Mr Chua continued painting after Singapore gained independence. The portrait of Singapore’s first President Yusof Ishak on our currency notes was his work.

His daughter Chua Yang told me her father believes that country comes before family. Only if a country is stable, will families find happiness, and the young, hope. Such sentiments drive his works.

Many older Singaporeans also share the same sentiments. They know our prosperity and stability did not happen by chance, nor was it pre-destined. From colony to independent nation, generations of Singaporeans stood together and strove for a better future. We worked hard for ourselves, our families, and for Singapore.

There are ups and downs in every family’s journey to build a better life. My family’s story was no different. My maternal grandfather was a fisherman. He and his family lived in Kampong Amber in East Coast. Life was hard in those days. My grandfather did not have an education and made a meagre living as a fisherman.

During my parents’ time, opportunities for education remained very limited. Most only went to primary school and started working in their teens to support their families. My mother was very fortunate to be able to go to school. But at a young age, she too had to work to support her family.

In my generation, most people completed secondary school education. For Singaporeans younger than myself, the situation has improved greatly. Almost everyone now makes it to ITEs, polytechnics or universities. Even after leaving school, Singaporeans still have many opportunities for upskilling and lifelong learning.

Our lives continue to improve, as can be seen from the growing opportunities to travel abroad. In the 1970s and 1980s, few had the chance to take a plane. When I was young, my father would sometimes take us on driving trips during school holidays, but the furthest was to Malaysia. Occasionally, we would visit Changi Airport - not to board a plane, but just to have a meal. Then we would watch the planes take off and land. I’m sure everyone remembers this place. Many of us did not have a chance to take a plane when we were young. We could only watch them at the airport, but that was enough to make our day! Back then, there was only Terminal 1. Today, we are building Terminal 5. Nowadays, many families look forward to annual vacations overseas.

Many say that our Singapore passport is “very powerful” as it gives visa-free access to many countries. A global study has ranked our Singapore passport first in the world. Many Singaporeans are making good use of this advantage to travel widely during the holidays, filling their passports with stamps from all over the world.

Tribute to the Chinese Community

Our passport is highly regarded because Singapore is a trusted country in the eyes of many. Our international standing is a key achievement of the last 60 years of nation-building. We achieved this standing because of two conditions: First, good governance. Second, a hardworking and united people.

Individuals and organisations have made many contributions in the years of nation-building. The Chinese community has played a crucial role. In the colonial days, many successful Chinese leaders and businessmen were actively engaged in philanthropy, generously donating money and resources, which laid a strong foundation for Singapore’s development. They founded clans and other associations, built schools and established welfare organisations that remain very active today, benefitting Singaporeans of all races.

Many schools founded by the Chinese community now have a new mission to nurture bilingual and bicultural talent for Singapore. Education is a long-term endeavour. Schools set up by the Chinese community built character and resilience, as well as instilled patriotism in generations of students.

Chinese Language teachers also contributed significantly to nation-building. They worked tirelessly to nurture generations of leaders in our society. Lianhe Zaobao will be organising an appreciation event next month to honour our Chinese Language teachers. I will be attending this meaningful event to thank them for their selfless dedication. I hope to see my teachers there, and to thank them personally!

In the early years, the Chinese community put in much effort to cultivate a sense of belonging to Singapore through school textbooks. As early as the 1930s, they injected elements of Nanyang culture into local textbooks to replace teaching materials from China and Hong Kong. Recently, Mediacorp and the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre produced a documentary which featured the evolution of local textbooks. Let us watch a video.

From this video, we can see that since about a century ago, the Chinese community had taken it upon themselves to champion a local identity. This had a profound impact on the development of post-independent Singapore. It not only enabled us to build confidence and pride in our own cultural identity, but also laid the groundwork for the Chinese community to support policies that fostered a multi-racial and multi-cultural Singapore.

Chinese Singaporeans now have their own sense of identity. Even if they are miles away from Singapore, they never forget that they are Singaporeans.

During my recent visit to China, I met up with many Singaporeans in Beijing. Many of them brought their families along, some travelled from as far as Shanghai and Shenzhen. They spoke fluent Mandarin and had adapted to life in China. But when we got together, we could immediately bond as fellow Singaporeans – that sense of familiarity was instinctive. Growing up in Singapore gave us a shared language, shared interests and shared memories. Being away from home, everyone missed Singapore very much, especially our local food – and our embassy certainly did not disappoint!

The Chinese community contributed significantly to shaping this strong Singaporean identity. Moving forward, the Government will strengthen its partnership with the Chinese community.

Recently, I appointed Minister Chee Hong Tat to lead the Chinese Community Liaison Group. He and his team have already started work and visited clan and other associations. We note that many clan associations are facing challenges in leadership renewal and have resource constraints. We will help them overcome these challenges and keep them vibrant, so that they can continue to contribute to society. This includes launching a new training programme to systematically nurture the next generation of community leaders. In addition, we will also work with the clan associations to continue helping new immigrants integrate into our society.

Changing Environment

As we celebrate 60 years of independence, Singapore stands at a turning point once again. We now face a more unpredictable and dangerous world. US tariffs are putting the global economy under tremendous pressure. There are growing tensions between US and China, not just in trade, but also in technology, military affairs and geopolitics. These tensions have far-reaching impact. Other countries are caught in the middle, and pressured from both sides.

Faced with these uncertainties, Singaporeans are understandably anxious. They worry that Singapore's development would be affected, and are even more fearful that their jobs would be on the line, threatening their livelihoods.

I understand your worries.

The Government is doing its best to help businesses find new opportunities and create good jobs for workers, while reducing cost-of-living pressures. We rolled out a comprehensive package at this year’s Budget. All of you would have received the CDC and SG60 vouchers. A family of four adults can receive more than $3,000 worth of vouchers this year. We have also provided support for families with young children. Hopefully, these measures will give Singaporeans some relief.

After the CDC and SG60 vouchers were rolled out, many durian sellers reacted quickly. They put up posters to announce that the vouchers can be used to buy Mao Shan Wang durians. Recently, the media reported that a couple had in a single purchase, spent $800 worth of vouchers to buy durians! I know many people love durians. I like them too. However, after satisfying your durian cravings, please don’t forget to save some vouchers for your daily essentials.

The Government provides these vouchers as a temporary measure. They are not a permanent solution.

Ultimately, we need to adjust our economic strategies to adapt to a changed world. The Singapore Economic Resilience Taskforce, led by Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, is studying strategies to keep Singapore competitive. He has been busy visiting several countries recently to strengthen our ties with them. We have only one goal, and that is to create good jobs for Singaporeans, so as to continue raising our incomes and living standards. I will share more details in my English speech later.

As the international situation grows more unpredictable, we must act decisively to forge a new path forward for Singapore.

In the recent General Election, Singaporeans gave me and my team a clear mandate. I am very grateful for that. With your strong mandate, we have greater confidence to tackle the many difficult challenges ahead and chart the way forward for Singapore.

My team and I will roll out more initiatives to build a better home for all.

But as always, the Government cannot do this alone. If we rely solely on top-down policies from the Government, Singapore will never achieve true success. Singapore’s success is built on the efforts of every Singaporean – helping one another, sharing weal and woe, and braving the challenges, hand in hand.

Conclusion

This reminds me of a Hokkien song "A Little Umbrella", which was a big hit in the 1980s.

This song is about two people sharing a little umbrella in the rain.

As the rain poured, their clothes were soaked, and they could not see the road ahead clearly.

But they continued to sing, “As the rain gets heavier, I will take care of you, and you will take care of me.”

While there will be stormy weather on the road ahead, I firmly believe that we will look out for one another, weather the storms together and usher in a new era as one.

Our future will be challenging, but it is also promising.

We have many new ideas and plans.

As long as we stay united and forge ahead, we will be able to write a new and more exciting chapter of the Singapore story!

Videos and transcripts

National Day Rally 2025 (Malay)

National Day Rally 2025

Watch more

National Day Rally 2024 (Mandarin)

National Day Rally 2023 (Mandarin)

National Day Rally 2022 (Mandarin)