PM Lee Hsien Loong at the 8th National Wushu Display

第八届全国武术观摩会 2009 李显龙总理致词

新加坡武术龙狮总会洪茂诚会长

各位同胞，各位来宾，

大家晚上好！

我很高兴能够出席第八届全国武术观摩会。我也要向远道而来的海外队伍表示热烈欢迎。

历史悠久的武术和舞龙舞狮运动，向来广受各地华人的推崇和喜爱，代代相传，鼎盛不衰，并且已经逐渐发展成为一种结合文化、民族传统、竞技和健身的活动。近年来，武术也成为亚洲重大体育赛事的比赛项目。

在新加坡，武术龙狮总会多年来不遗余力推动龙狮运动，它深入民间，参与者来自社会各界和各个年龄层，会员团体超过三百家，是新加坡社会一个富有活力的民间团体。

近年来，武术龙狮总会还成功争取了许多年轻的参与者，确保这项传统活动后继有人。今年年初举办的全国中小学武术锦标赛，参赛的中学生多达1800人次，小学生更是多达2600人次。

龙狮运动讲求团结协作、勤奋苦练，但又符合年轻人活泼好动的天性，让他们有机会学习高难度动作和技巧。同时，龙狮运动和武术强调尊师重道，内外兼修，因此可说是一项益体、益智、益德的活动。

我希望武术龙狮总会也能积极争取年长人士参加活动。中华武术中的太极、气功等养生活动，非常适合中老年人，既能够强身健体，治病防病，又可以为他们提供社交的好机会，使他们保持身心健康，生活得充实愉快。

这次观摩会，主办机构邀请了多支外国参赛队伍，其中包括来自少林、武当和娥眉的代表队。读过武侠小说的人，对这些响当当的武术门派一定十分熟悉和向往。我期待观赏他们精彩的表演，也希望他们能进一步激发新加坡人对武术的兴趣。

最后，让我预祝这次的观摩会圆满成功，为参与者带来“以武会友”的机会，为观众带来高水平的演出，使武术这项活动继续在新加坡开花结果。

谢谢大家！

* * * * *

English translation of the speech by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the 8th National Wushu Display 2009

Mr Ang Mong Seng, President of the Singapore Wushu Dragon and Lion Dance Federation,Fellow Singaporeans,

Distinguished Guests,

Good evening.

I am very happy to be here at the 8th National Wushu Display, and I would like to extend a warm welcome to the overseas teams that have come all the way here to Singapore.

The art of wushu, and the dragon and lion dance, date back a long way in history, and have always been loved and revered by Chinese all over the world. These sports, passed down from generation to generation, have remained strong and healthy through the ages. In fact, they have developed into an art that melds the elements of culture, tradition, competitive sports and fitness together. In recent years, wushu has also been designated as a sports event in the major competitions in Asia.

The Singapore Wushu Dragon and Lion Dance Federation has for years been relentless in its efforts to promote the art of dragon and lion dance here. It has been successful in reaching out to the community, with participants coming from all walks of life and all age groups, and has over 300 member organisations under its wings. Indeed, the Federation has been a very vibrant organisation.

In recent years, the Federation has attracted many young participants, thus ensuring the perpetuation of this traditional sport. During the National Inter-Primary and Inter-Secondary School Wushu Championships held early this year, as many as 1800 contest places were fielded by secondary schools and 2600 by primary schools.

The dragon and lion dance requires teamwork and rigorous practice. Yet, the sport is also very suitable for young people, given their active nature, as it gives them the chance to learn challenging moves and techniques. At the same time, wushu as well as the dragon and lion dance emphasise respect for one’s teacher and the building of both character and physical prowess. Thus, we could say these are activities that benefit the body, mind and character (益体、益智、益德).

It is also my hope that the Federation will actively engage older people. Forms of wushu like taiji and qigong are beneficial to health and are very suitable for midde-aged and elderly people to practice. These sports can help strengthen their body and keep illnesses at bay while at the same time allow them to socialise with others. This is good for their mind and body, and helps them lead fulfilling lives.

For this event, the organisers have invited many overseas teams, including those from Shaolin, Wudang and Emei. Those who have read Chinese sword-fighting novels would be very familiar with these schools of martial arts whose fame has spread far and wide. I look forward to watching the outstanding performances of these teams and hope that they will generate further interest in wushu among Singaporeans.

Lastly, let me wish the 8th National Wushu Display every success, and that it would bring many opportunities for participants to meet new friends and get to know fellow enthusiasts. May there be ground-breaking performances so that the sport of wushu will continue to thrive and flourish in Singapore.

Thank you.

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