'In the Olympics contingent, there are 25 members, half of whom are new Singaporeans. Why do we need them? Make a simple calculation. The Chinese have 1.3 billion people. Singapore has a population of four million...If we want to win glory for Singapore and do well not only in sports but in many other areas, we cannot merely depend on the local-born. We need to attract talent from all over...Look at the Beijing Olympics. Tao Li, the swimmer, she's done very well. The women's table-tennis team...they have won an Olympic medal. We welcome foreigners so they can strengthen our team, and we can reduce our constraints. So let us welcome and let us encourage them.'
PM Lee, on how foreign talent helps Singapore in non-economic areas
PM Lee, on how foreign talent helps Singapore in non-economic areas