DPM Heng Swee Keat at SCCCI’s Mid-Autumn Celebration at Hill Street

新加坡中华总商会 高泉庆会⻓

总商会董事

陈振声部长

各位嘉宾

⼤家晚上好！

中秋节是华人传统中一个重要的节日，因为它象征着阖家团圆，其乐融融。今晚能和大家欢聚一堂，我感到非常开心，也非常荣幸。

今年的中秋联欢晚会特别有意义，因为活动有三个“第一”。 这是中华总商会自疫情以来第一次举办实体的中秋联欢晚会。这也是高会长领导的第61届董事会主办的第一个中秋联欢晚会。更让人高兴的是，这是我们第一次在翻新后的总商会馆举办中秋联欢晚会! 中华总商会可说是“三喜临门”！

这些年来，中华总商会为我国社会做出了不少贡献。从早期为飘洋过海到新加坡谋生的华人提供援助，到后来为新加坡的经济领域和人民福祉献力，总商会在凝聚我国社会方面扮演了重要角色。

这两年来，总商会也和政府紧密合作，协助会员企业度过难关。此外，总商会也代表商界发声，向政府反馈，提出了宝贵的建议。

新设立的 总商会 华商文化馆 充分展示了总商会对新加坡所做出的种种贡献。例如，政府当年实施国民服役时，总商会鼎立支持，为入伍青年制作 “尽忠报国”的纪念章。新馆将展出这些纪念章和其它珍贵文物，这是非常有意义的。

新加坡自建国以来，最让国人引以为豪的其中一点，是我国社会的多元化。新加坡的多元种族和多元文化特色是我国最可贵的精神财富。总商会也一直不遗余力促进各族之间的和谐与团结。例如，总商会自1967年起开始颁发奖学金，不分种族、不分背景，帮助品学兼优的学生完成学业。这些年来，一共颁发了将近两千份奖学金，为国家栽培了不少社会栋梁。今晚，我很高兴各族同胞也在场和我们欢庆中秋节。

月到中秋分外明，我相信新加坡在接下来的日子，也一定会继续发光发亮。两年下来，我们能够控制疫情，靠的是大家互相扶持，互相信任。此外，我也由衷地感谢建国先辈，未雨绸缪，为我们辛苦地积累了储备金。我相信这些价值观是所有新加坡人都非常珍惜和认同的。因此，我们在欢庆中秋节时，也应该不忘庆祝这些价值观。

Let me say a few words in English.

This year’s mid-autumn festival is a special one. There are three “firsts”. It is the first time that SCCCI is holding a physical celebration since COVID-19. It is also the first time that Choon Keng and his team are organising the festival, after the 61st council was inaugurated earlier this year. And of course, this is also the first time that we are holding the mid-autumn festival in the refurbished SCCCI building. My warmest congratulations to SCCCI!

SCCCI has played an important role in our country’s history. I was reminded of this when I came for your launch ceremony of the Hill Street Virtual Heritage Trail in February this year, on the first day of Chinese New Year. During the pandemic, SCCCI and other chambers also played an active role in giving valuable feedback to the government, including in my budget consultations when I was in the Ministry of Finance. Many of your contributions are now documented in your new Chinese Business Culture Hub, and I hope it serves as a platform for younger Singaporeans to know more about our history.

One of the most unique features of Singapore is how we have retained our multicultural character over the years. SCCCI has done your part in supporting all races to progress together. For example, you have given out almost 2000 scholarships to students from lower-income families, across all races. I am also delighted to see friends from other races at this evening’s event. It is wonderful that in Singapore, we are able to celebrate each other’s festivals, and find joy in our diversity.

As we look ahead, we can do so with optimism. We have retained a strong sense of unity throughout the pandemic over past two years. But we also benefited greatly from our forefathers’ foresight and sense of responsibility, in setting aside reserves for future generations.

A sense of unity, a commitment to future generations – these are values dear to all Singaporeans. And as we celebrate the mid-autumn festival tonight, we also celebrate these values.

最后，在这个花好月圆的夜晚，我祝愿大家身体健康，合家安康！中秋节快乐!