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<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=593><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=452><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD>Singapore
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=452 colSpan=2>Published January 19, 2011
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=452 colSpan=2>Chinese clans should combine, help all new immigrants: MM
Clans must evolve this way in order to remain relevant
By CHEN HUIFEN
CHINESE clan associations have done well by evolving with the times but must continue doing so in order to remain relevant, said Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew.
<TABLE class=picBoxL cellSpacing=2 width=100 align=left><TBODY><TR><TD>
</TD></TR><TR class=caption><TD>MM Lee: 'We need young immigrants. Otherwise, our economy will slow down, like the Japanese economy' </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Speaking at the 25th anniversary dinner of the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations (SFCCA), Mr Lee noted that the clan groups' traditional roles of supporting and protecting the Chinese migrant community have already been taken up by the government.
'So I've suggested that, combine and adopt all the new immigrants, no matter where they come from,' he said. 'Help them learn English, which is what they want to do in order to fit in here. Help them adjust to the Singapore society, Singapore lifestyle. In that way, you will have a new role to play.'
The SFCCA is an umbrella organisation for 200 clan associations. In recent years, it has focused on the three key thrusts of exposing young Singaporeans to China through education, promoting business linkages, and helping new immigrants to integrate with the locals in Singapore.
In particular, Mr Lee lauded the federation's decision to include new immigrant groups such as the Shanxi Association Tianfu Club.
'Clan associations could serve as catalysts to help bring the local Chinese community and new immigrants closer together through social and cultural activities,' he said. 'The government will support the Federation's efforts in this area. We must help them to master the English Language which they need to succeed in Singapore.'
As for concerns among Singaporeans of the competition from new immigrants, these are being addressed through steps to slow down the inflow of immigrants and foreign workers. The distinction between citizens and non-citizens has also been sharpened to give more benefits to Singaporeans.
But Singapore must also recognise that at the existing low birth rates, its population will rapidly age and shrink. The Republic's overall fertility rate had fallen from 1.28 in 2008 to 1.22 in 2009 and further declined to 1.16 last year. Among the Chinese, fertility rate dropped from 1.14 in 2008 to 1.02 last year, the lowest among all races.
'So we need young immigrants,' Mr Lee added. 'Otherwise, our economy will slow down, like the Japanese economy. We will have a less dynamic and less thriving Singapore. This is not the future for our children and grandchildren.'
A number of association members posed questions to Mr Lee during a 40-minute dialogue moderated by Josephine Teo, CEO of networking group Business China. One asked if there is still a role for Singapore to play when China becomes a developed country and surpasses even the US in 20 years. Replying in Mandarin, Mr Lee pointed out that Singapore does not bank its future solely on a single country. It also has economic ties with other regions, such as the Western Europe, the US and India.
One should also not dismiss the soft powers of the US, which is able to draw talented immigrants from all over the world because English is the lingua franca. On the other hand, it will be less easy for China to attract non Mandarin-speaking immigrants.
'The language barrier is a very big barrier,' said Mr Lee.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=452 colSpan=2>Published January 19, 2011
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=452 colSpan=2>Chinese clans should combine, help all new immigrants: MM
Clans must evolve this way in order to remain relevant
By CHEN HUIFEN
CHINESE clan associations have done well by evolving with the times but must continue doing so in order to remain relevant, said Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew.
<TABLE class=picBoxL cellSpacing=2 width=100 align=left><TBODY><TR><TD>
</TD></TR><TR class=caption><TD>MM Lee: 'We need young immigrants. Otherwise, our economy will slow down, like the Japanese economy' </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Speaking at the 25th anniversary dinner of the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations (SFCCA), Mr Lee noted that the clan groups' traditional roles of supporting and protecting the Chinese migrant community have already been taken up by the government. 'So I've suggested that, combine and adopt all the new immigrants, no matter where they come from,' he said. 'Help them learn English, which is what they want to do in order to fit in here. Help them adjust to the Singapore society, Singapore lifestyle. In that way, you will have a new role to play.'
The SFCCA is an umbrella organisation for 200 clan associations. In recent years, it has focused on the three key thrusts of exposing young Singaporeans to China through education, promoting business linkages, and helping new immigrants to integrate with the locals in Singapore.
In particular, Mr Lee lauded the federation's decision to include new immigrant groups such as the Shanxi Association Tianfu Club.
'Clan associations could serve as catalysts to help bring the local Chinese community and new immigrants closer together through social and cultural activities,' he said. 'The government will support the Federation's efforts in this area. We must help them to master the English Language which they need to succeed in Singapore.'
As for concerns among Singaporeans of the competition from new immigrants, these are being addressed through steps to slow down the inflow of immigrants and foreign workers. The distinction between citizens and non-citizens has also been sharpened to give more benefits to Singaporeans.
But Singapore must also recognise that at the existing low birth rates, its population will rapidly age and shrink. The Republic's overall fertility rate had fallen from 1.28 in 2008 to 1.22 in 2009 and further declined to 1.16 last year. Among the Chinese, fertility rate dropped from 1.14 in 2008 to 1.02 last year, the lowest among all races.
'So we need young immigrants,' Mr Lee added. 'Otherwise, our economy will slow down, like the Japanese economy. We will have a less dynamic and less thriving Singapore. This is not the future for our children and grandchildren.'
A number of association members posed questions to Mr Lee during a 40-minute dialogue moderated by Josephine Teo, CEO of networking group Business China. One asked if there is still a role for Singapore to play when China becomes a developed country and surpasses even the US in 20 years. Replying in Mandarin, Mr Lee pointed out that Singapore does not bank its future solely on a single country. It also has economic ties with other regions, such as the Western Europe, the US and India.
One should also not dismiss the soft powers of the US, which is able to draw talented immigrants from all over the world because English is the lingua franca. On the other hand, it will be less easy for China to attract non Mandarin-speaking immigrants.
'The language barrier is a very big barrier,' said Mr Lee.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
