DPM Teo Chee Hean at Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations 16th Council Investiture Ceremony

“新加坡的三大桥梁”

名誉会长蔡天宝先生
会长陈奕福先生
各位理事
各位来宾

大家下午好！

很高兴出席新加坡宗乡总会第十六届理事会的就职典礼。

多年来，宗乡会馆扮演了重要的角色。在早期，宗乡会馆为新移民提供支持和帮助，还成立了学校和医院。

今天的新加坡已大不相同。我们的经济发展良好，人民享有更好的生活素质。

然而，宗乡总会还是能成为我们的重要桥梁。我想提出三个建议：第一，人民之间的桥梁; 第二，新旧之间的桥梁; 和第三，国家之间的桥梁。

首先，人民之间的桥梁。我们多元种族和多元文化的社会是新加坡的特点。我们应该好好地保留我们优良的传统文化，将它代代相传。宗乡总会举办了很多发扬华族文化的活动, 并且融入了新加坡的其他文化，增强新加坡独特的多元文化社会。

第二，新旧之间的桥梁。宗乡总会必须不断自我更新，和吸引更多青年加入，才能够与时俱进。我希望宗乡总会能继续推出创新的项目，和加强与青年的交流。宗乡总会也一直帮助新移民融入我们的社会。宗乡总会应该继续提供机会让新移民更了解新加坡的风俗和文化，加深交流。

第三，国家之间的桥梁。宗乡总会对中国有深厚的了解，在中国保持了很多关系和网络。宗乡总会能够加强我们两国人民之间的交流，以增强互信和了解。我也希望宗乡总会能提供更多的奖学金和实习机会，让年轻的新加坡人在中国学习与工作。在上个月的新中双边合作联委会 (或JCBC) 会议上，中国副总理韩正和我也讨论了这一点，并同意多加推动。这能为我们培养下一代的双语、双文化、并且了解中国的新加坡人，让他们继续为新中关系做出贡献。

在此，我感谢蔡天宝先生和第十五届理事会的贡献。我祝贺陈奕福先生获选为会长，和第十六届理事会的当选。我期待宗乡总会再接再厉，继续与政府和人民加强合作，为新加坡打造更美好的未来。

谢谢！
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English Translation of Chinese Speech

“Serving as Three Bridges for Singapore”

Honorary President Chua Thian Poh,
President Tan Aik Hock, 
Council Members,
Distinguished guests,

Good afternoon everyone！

I am pleased to attend the Investiture Ceremony for the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations (SFCCA)’s 16th Council.  

Clan associations have always played a key role in our community. In the early years, clan associations provided support and help to new immigrants, and even established schools and hospitals. 

Today’s Singapore has come a long way. Our economy is developing well, and our people enjoy a better quality of life.

Nevertheless, SFCCA can still be an important bridge for us. I would like to raise three suggestions: first, a bridge between our people; second, a bridge between new and old; and third, a bridge between countries.

First, a bridge between our people. Our multiracial society and multicultural traditions are what make Singapore unique. We should preserve our excellent cultural traditions, and pass them on from generation to generation. SFCCA has organised many activities to promote Chinese culture, while connecting with the other cultures that make up Singapore, to strengthen Singapore’s unique multi-cultural society.

Second, a bridge between new and old. SFCCA needs to continue to reinvent itself and attract more youths in order to keep up with the times. I hope SFCCA can continue to introduce more innovative programmes and strengthen exchanges with our youth. SFCCA has also been actively helping to assimilate new immigrants into our society. SFCCA should continue to create opportunities for new immigrants to better understand Singapore’s customs and culture, and to deepen interactions.

Third, a bridge between countries. SFCCA has a deep understanding of China and maintains many connections and networks in China. SFCCA can strengthen the people-to-people exchanges between our two countries, to foster greater mutual trust and understanding. I hope that SFCCA will continue to provide scholarships and internship opportunities, to allow more young Singaporeans to study and work in China. This was one of the initiatives that both PRC Vice Premier Han Zheng and I discussed at the Joint Council on Bilateral Cooperation (or JCBC) meeting last month, and agreed to promote more of. This will help us to groom the next generation of bilingual and bicultural Singaporeans who understand China, and who can continue to make contributions to our bilateral relations.

Here, I thank Mr Chua Thian Poh and the 15th Council for your contributions. I congratulate Mr Tan Aik Hock on your appointment as the President, and to the 16th Council on being elected. I look forward to SFCCA keeping up the good work, and working more closely with the Government and our people, to create an even better future for Singapore. 

Thank you!