National Day Rally 2026 (Mandarin)

PM spoke in Malay and Mandarin, followed by English.

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

* * * * *

各位同胞，大家晚上好！ 

今年初，我们在迎接马年的时候，已经预料到这会是不平静的一年。果然，它像一匹野马，让整个世界措手不及。

世界的变局

大国之间的竞争更加激烈，中东战火持续，充满变数，各地天灾不断发生。全球能源、粮食和供应链都受到冲击，这给我们的家庭和企业带来很大的压力。

我们控制不了外在环境的改变，但是可以尽量减少它的影响。为此，政府在四月份推出一个配套，及时为家庭和企业提供帮助。

不过，由于中东的情况还很紧张，物价和成本继续面对上涨的压力。为了进一步减轻中小企业和本地家庭的负担，政府上个月推出新一轮的配套。接下来，如果情况变得更糟，我们也已经准备好，继续帮助大家克服困难。

无论前面的风雨有多大，政府都会跟大家站在一起，尽力为你们遮风挡雨，共渡难关。

除了眼前的挑战，国人也很关心未来，比如我们下一代的成长环境、人工智能的发展，以及新加坡的前景。我会在接下来的英语演讲中，深入谈一谈这些课题。

学习母语

现在，我想跟大家谈我们华社关心的课题，那就是语言、文化和身份认同。几十年来，新加坡的语言环境不断地改变。调查显示，现在大多数的华族家庭，在家里主要讲英语；而主要讲华语的家庭，只占大约三分之一。

面对这样的情况，大家难免会担心，我们会不会渐渐失去文化根基和双语优势？这样的担忧是可以理解的，政府也十分关注这个趋势。我们要保留我们亚洲社会的本质，绝对不可以成为一个单语社会。

两年前，我在群众大会上谈到母语教育。我说过，我们不但要有“精英”，我们也要有“精华”。我当时宣布，放宽中学生选修高级华文的条件，让更多华文成绩优异的学生有机会修读高华。这项措施今年生效，带来了好消息！可以选修高华的学生，增加很多，一共有一千多名学生受益。整体来说，今年修读华文的中一学生当中，有四分之一选修高华。

此外，开办高华班的学校也更多了。我最近读了《联合早报》的一篇报道。他们特别注意到，连一些传统英校，这几年也在家长的要求下开办高华班。可见，我们的社会、家长和学生，都明白学习华语的重要。这是令人鼓舞的！

除了学校，家庭环境对母语的学习也是很重要的。以我来说，我从小接触华语的机会并不多。不过，每天晚上，我们一家人都会一起看第八波道的电视剧。从《新兵小传》、《小飞鱼》到《雾锁南洋》，我一部都没错过！爸爸妈妈的华语不太好，他们看字幕，也一样看得津津有味。我的华语就这样慢慢进步了。

现在，很多家长为了让孩子学好母语费尽心思。不久前，《海峡时报》的一位记者胡诗韵写了一篇文章，分享自己的经历。她很想帮她的孩子学好华文，不过觉得自己的水平有限。于是，她决定以轻松的方式接触华语，天天只看华语节目、只听华语歌曲，比如周杰伦的歌，还有追看最近很红的电视剧《逐玉》。

结果，经过三个月的努力，诗韵的华语更流利了，两个孩子对华文也更有兴趣。看来，看戏听歌还真的对学习华语有帮助，大家也不妨试试看！

不过，光靠家庭的努力还不够。华语要学得好，还需要一个有利的社会环境，在生活中学以致用，母语才能成为一门活的语言。其实，现在的年轻人有更多接触华语的机会。

在新加坡，华文媒体、文化团体和艺术工作者都在积极推出精彩的华语内容。许多年轻新加坡人也能接触到多元的海外华语内容，包括电影、连续剧、歌曲和电玩。新加坡是一个开放的社会，在文化上一向兼容并蓄。我们珍惜和守护本土文化，同时也通过文化交流吸收各地的文化精华。

例如，今年年底，新加坡和中国的国家图书馆将联合举办一个特别的文物展，主题是中国的四大名著：《三国演义》、《红楼梦》、《水浒传》和《西游记》。这些故事很多新加坡人从小就很熟悉，也从中学到了不少优良的价值观。这是中国第一次在海外展出这些珍贵的文物。这会是一次难得的机会，相信大家都会期待。

文化和方言

最近，《给阿嬷的情书》这部电影在新加坡引起热烈讨论。我想，这是因为它让我们想起自己的先辈，让我们看见他们一路走来的艰辛，也让我们想起他们留下来的价值观。

我看了这部电影，看的是潮州话的版本。电影里的潮州话听说很多新加坡潮州人也不完全听得懂，需要看字幕。我也只听懂一点点，但是有一句话我听懂了，那就是阿嬷说的：“做人要有情有义”。这句话用方言说出来感觉就是不一样，比较亲切。

很多人认为方言是我们珍贵的文化遗产，值得我们珍惜和传承。我也同意。

然而，推广华语运动的成果得来不易，我们也应该珍惜和维护。四五十年前，新加坡华人之间各说各的方言。即使是同一种方言，来自不同地区，口音也会有差别。就像电影里阿嬷说的潮州话，跟一般新加坡潮州人说的也不太一样。

经过几十年的努力，华语已经成为新加坡华人的共同语言，也为双语政策奠定了坚实的基础。同时，华语也让我们能够和世界各地的华人沟通。所以，双语政策和推广华语的方向是正确的，我们必须坚持。

回想当年，“讲华语运动”的口号是：“多讲华语，少讲方言”。现在情况不一样了。讲方言的家庭已经很少了，大多数新加坡华人能够讲华语，不过更习惯用英语。我们现在的挑战是如何鼓励平时习惯讲英语的华人，也在日常生活中多用华语。其实，只要大家愿意多讲、多用，华语自然就会进步。多讲华语，我可以，大家也可以！

所以，今天我们在推广华语的同时，也可以为方言的使用腾出更大的空间。在公共广播方面，我们会继续以华语为主。但在付费电视和电影方面，我们可以进一步放宽。目前，以方言为主要语言的电影，在戏院上映的次数受到限制。接下来，我们会放宽这个规定。只要同时提供一个华语配音版本，电影的方言版本在戏院上映的次数将不再受到限制。至于付费电视，我们接下来会宣布更多详情。

其实，我们的宗乡会馆这些年来也在开办方言班和举办各种方言文化活动。政府会继续支持他们。我希望通过这些努力，大家能有更多机会接触方言，了解自己的文化根源，发展出属于新加坡的华族文化。

事实上，我们的语言、饮食、节庆、艺术和生活方式，都带着鲜明的新加坡特色。例如，新加坡华乐团就是在传统华乐的基础上，融入了南洋文化元素，创造了风格鲜明的新加坡华乐。

以美食来说，我们就有很多独特的“国民美食”。我最近到海南岛访问时，特地去试了当地的鸡饭。他们的文昌鸡饭味道很好，不过跟新加坡的很不一样。我们的海南鸡饭少不了辣椒和南洋香料。它的独特风味对我来说就是家的味道。

传承新加坡华族文化

新加坡华族文化最珍贵的，不只是看得见、尝得到的文化成果，更是先辈留给我们的处世智慧。一个多世纪以来，我们的先辈在这片土地上成家立业，学会了如何和不同种族和睦相处。这些一点一滴累积的智慧，已经成了我们安居乐业的基础。

为了记录新加坡华社的发展历程，肯定华族先辈对社会的贡献，我们将设立“新加坡华族历史文化馆”。文化馆所要展现的是华族先辈如何在新加坡落地生根、开枝散叶。它也将介绍宗乡会馆、商会和文教组织对社会的贡献，特别是为建设一个多元种族社会所付出的努力。文化馆是由新加坡华族文化中心发起并负责管理，同时也得到政府和华社领袖的支持。它将设在新加坡大会堂，和邻近的华族文化中心相辅相成。

我们也要不断为我们独特的华族文化注入新活力，增添色彩。几个月前，我出席了一场新谣纪录片的首映活动。梁文福老师也在场。他说的一句话让我印象深刻。他说，新谣不应该是“文化遗产”，而是“文化资产”。我非常同意。新谣那一代创作人通过歌曲写下他们的梦想和追求；如今，我们期待年轻一代也写下属于他们自己的故事。

现在的新加坡年轻人并不缺乏创作才华和热情。每年举办的《新空下》歌唱和创作比赛，都吸引很多学生参加。其中一位就是年轻歌手李泓伸。泓伸从小就爱听新谣。求学时，他参加《新空下》，还得了奖。后来他修读音乐，毕业后成为全职音乐人。

他也有机会和新谣前辈合作，创作属于新加坡的音乐。我看了他的演出，听他唱巫启贤的Kopi-O。年轻人唱老歌很有自己的风格，同样一杯Kopi-O，给他唱出不同的味道。

年轻一代有自己的风格和理想，令人感到欣慰，也让我们对未来更有信心。

结语

不论是歌曲创作，还是改善我们的社会，我们都要继续一代启发一代，一代带领一代。

建国一代留下一个能够生存的新加坡；我们的父母一代留下一个能够发展的新加坡。我们这一代要留下什么样的新加坡？

我相信，答案就在我们每一个人的手中。只要我们勇敢面对未来，敢于创新，一起携手前进，一定能够打造一个更有活力、更有希望的新加坡。

谢谢大家！

* * * * *

English Translation of National Day Rally 2026 Mandarin Speech

My fellow Singaporeans, good evening!

This year, when the Year of the Horse arrived, we knew it would be a bumpy ride. Sure enough, like a wild horse, the year caught everyone off guard.

A Changed World

Rivalries between the major powers have intensified. The Middle East situation remains volatile. Natural disasters have struck around the world. All these developments have impacted energy markets, food security and supply chains, with households and businesses feeling the strain.

We cannot control global events, but we can cushion their impact. In April, the Government launched a support package for households and businesses.

But Middle East tensions continue to push up prices and costs. To further assist SMEs and households, we rolled out more support last month. We are prepared to do more if the situation worsens.

Whatever lies ahead, the Government will stand with you through the storm.

Apart from the immediate challenges, Singaporeans also care about long-term issues, such as our children's future, artificial intelligence and Singapore's prospects. I will touch on these in my English speech.

Learning our Mother Tongue

Now, I would like to turn to something that is close to the hearts of our Chinese community: language, culture and identity. Singapore's language landscape has changed greatly over the decades. A survey showed that most Chinese households now use English at home, while only about one-third use Mandarin.

As such, there are concerns that we may gradually lose touch with our cultural roots and lose our bilingual edge. These concerns are understandable and the Government is watching these trends closely. We must preserve our Asian identity and character and must not become a monolingual society. 

At the National Day Rally two years ago, I spoke about our mother tongue education and said we needed both English and Chinese language talents. I announced that we would ease the criteria for taking up Higher Chinese for students strong in the language. The measure took effect this year and I am pleased to share that over 1,000 students have benefitted from the change. Today, one in four Secondary One students studying the Chinese language is taking it at the Higher Chinese level.

More schools are also offering Higher Chinese. Recently, I read in Lianhe Zaobao that even traditionally English-medium schools are responding to parental demand for Higher Chinese classes. It is encouraging that our society, parents and students value the Chinese language!

Schools matter, but so does the language environment at home. For me, I had little exposure to Mandarin growing up. But every evening my family watched Channel 8 dramas together. From The Army Series to The Flying Fish and The Awakening, I did not miss any of them! Although my parents were not proficient in Mandarin, thanks to the subtitles, they too enjoyed the dramas. This was how my Mandarin gradually improved.

These days, many parents go the extra mile to help their children learn Mandarin. Straits Times journalist Alyssa Woo shared her experience in an article. She wanted her children to learn Mandarin despite her own limited fluency. So, she immersed herself in Mandarin by only watching Mandarin television programmes and listening to Mandarin songs every day. This included listening to Jay Chou’s songs and watching the popular drama Pursuit of Jade.

After three months, Alyssa's Mandarin improved. Her children became more interested in Mandarin too. So, it seems that watching Mandarin dramas and listening to Mandarin songs can indeed help one learn the language. Maybe we should all give these a try!

But families cannot do this alone. To learn Mandarin well, there must be a supportive social environment where it is used in everyday life. Only then can our mother tongues remain living languages. In fact, young people today have more opportunities to be exposed to Mandarin than before.

Local media, cultural groups and artists are creating engaging Mandarin content. Young Singaporeans also have access to Mandarin films, dramas, music and games from abroad. Singaporeans embrace diverse cultures, while continuing to preserve and celebrate our own. We remain open to learning from the richness of cultures around the world.

For example, later this year, Singapore and China’s national libraries will stage a joint exhibition on the Four Great Classical Novels: Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Dream of the Red Chamber, Water Margin and Journey to the West. Many Singaporeans know these stories from young and have learned many values from them. The exhibition will include treasured artefacts being shown outside of China for the first time. It is a rare opportunity, and we look forward to the exhibition.

Culture and Dialects

Lately, the film Dear You sparked lively discussions in Singapore. I believe it is because it reminded us of our pioneers, the sacrifices they made and the hardships they endured, as well as the values they lived by.

I watched the Teochew version of the film. Interestingly, many local Teochews could not fully understand the Teochew spoken in the film and had to rely on subtitles. While I could only understand a little of it myself, one line from the grandmother stood out for me: "Be a person of compassion and loyalty." Hearing those words in dialect made them even more endearing.

Many see dialects as a cultural heritage worth preserving. I agree.

That said, we must also protect the hard-won gains of the Speak Mandarin Campaign. Decades ago, Chinese Singaporeans spoke many dialects. Even within the same dialect group, there were different accents. For example, the Teochew spoken by the grandmother in the film sounds quite different from the Teochew we hear in Singapore.

After decades of effort, Mandarin has become the common language among Chinese Singaporeans and laid a strong foundation for our bilingual policy. Mandarin also connects us with Chinese communities worldwide. Therefore, our bilingual policy and efforts to promote Mandarin are moving in the right direction and must continue.

Back then, the Speak Mandarin Campaign urged Chinese Singaporeans to “Speak more Mandarin and less dialects.” The situation today is very different. Few families speak dialect at home. Most Chinese Singaporeans know Mandarin but use English more often. The challenge now is to encourage those comfortable in English to speak more Mandarin. The more we use Mandarin, the better we will get at it. Speak more Mandarin - yes I can, so can you!

Nevertheless, even as we promote the use of Mandarin, we can also make more room for dialects. While our free-to-air broadcasts will remain mainly in Mandarin, we can ease restrictions for pay television and movies. Take movies, for example. Currently, there is a limit on the number of screenings of dialect films. We will relax this rule. So long as a Mandarin-dubbed version is available, there will be no cap on the number of dialect screenings. As for pay television, we will announce further details soon.

In fact, our clan associations have been promoting dialects through classes and cultural activities. The Government will continue to support their efforts. I hope they will give Singaporeans more opportunities to learn about dialects, find out more about their cultural roots and strengthen our local Chinese culture.

Our language, food, festivals, arts and way of life are distinctly Singaporean. Take the Singapore Chinese Orchestra, for example. It blends traditional Chinese music with Nanyang influences to create a uniquely Singaporean sound.

Our cuisine is equally distinctive. During my recent visit to Hainan, I tried their local chicken rice. It was delicious, but very different from our own Hainanese chicken rice, which cannot do without chilli and Nanyang spices. For me, that is the taste of home.

Strengthening Our Singapore Chinese Culture

The true value of Singapore Chinese culture lies not only in what we can see and taste. It carries well over a century of our pioneers' wisdom. They forged a life with people of different races. The wisdom they gained underpins our peace and prosperity today.

To honour our Chinese pioneers, we will establish the Singapore Chinese Heritage Gallery. It will trace how they put down roots and built lives here. It will also pay tribute to the Chinese community organisations that helped build our multiracial society. The gallery was proposed by the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC) and supported by the Government and Chinese community. It will be housed in the Singapore Conference Hall and managed by the SCCC.

We must keep renewing and enriching our distinctive Singapore Chinese culture. A few months ago, I attended the premiere of a documentary on Xinyao. There, Xinyao pioneer Dr Liang Wern Fook said something that stayed with me. He said Xinyao should be regarded not as a cultural heritage, but a cultural asset. I fully agree. Just as our Xinyao pioneers sang their dreams, we look forward to our next generation telling their own stories.

Our young people have no shortage of talent or passion. Every year, the National Xinyao Singing and Songwriting Competition attracts many young contestants. One of them was Elton Lee, a rising singer-songwriter. Elton's love for Xinyao began in his childhood. He took part in the competition and won an award. He then studied music at university and went on to become a professional musician.

Over the years, Elton has worked with Xinyao pioneers to create music we can call our own. I watched him perform Eric Moo’s Kopi-O. He put his own spin on an old classic. It was a familiar brew with a fresh flavour.

It is heartening to see young Singaporeans pursuing their dreams with passion and conviction. This gives us greater confidence in our future.

Conclusion

Whether through songwriting or building a better society, each generation must continue to inspire and lead the next.

Our pioneers secured Singapore’s survival. Our parents built a thriving nation. What legacy will our generation leave behind?

The answer is in our hands. With courage, innovation and unity, we can build a brighter future for Singapore.

Thank you!

Videos and transcripts

National Day Rally 2026

National Day Rally 2026 (Malay)

Watch more

National Day Rally 2025

National Day Rally 2024