- Source: guancha.cn
- Author: Unknown Author
- Time: 2024-05-03
- Visits: 473
On May 1st, Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong delivered a speech at the May Day Rally for the last time in his capacity as Prime Minister. Lee Hsien Loong stated that the reason why Singapore, which lacks resources and a large hinterland, has achieved remarkable success is entirely due to its exceptionally excellent system. He said that in the future full of challenges and opportunities, Singapore has laid a solid foundation for future generations, and Singapore must focus on the hard truths of nation-building and give full play to its advantages. He reminded that Singapore should not be carried away by its success and reputation, and needs to be more proactive in safeguarding its own reputation.
According to Lianhe Zaobao's report on May 1st, Lee Hsien Loong reviewed Singapore's development since he took office in his speech and also looked ahead to the future challenges and opportunities.
He said that over the past 20 years, the lives of Singaporeans have improved. The strategies adopted by the government for economic transformation and upgrading have been effective. It has not only expanded and deepened cooperation with international trading partners, attracted more foreign investment to Singapore, but also consolidated Singapore's position as a regional and international hub.
Lee Hsien Loong said that Singapore must continue to focus on nation-building and give full play to its advantages. The world has changed, but some hard truths remain the same. He reiterated the three key points of nation-building, namely social cohesion, long-term planning, and political stability and trust. Regarding political stability and trust, he emphasized that if Singapore is politically divided, it will be unable to maintain long-term planning and efforts.
Lee Hsien Loong said that Singapore lacks natural resources, has no large hinterland, and its land area of 700 square kilometers is nothing to speak of. The remarkable achievements it has made in economic and social progress are entirely due to its exceptionally excellent system here. "Our system doesn't have to completely break down for Singapore to get into trouble. Even if we just become ordinary and mediocre, we will already be in big trouble."
He emphasized that it is necessary for Singapore to safeguard the spirit of pursuing excellence and maintain political stability. "Our system will keep pace with the times, but these evolutions must serve the interests of Singapore in order to create the most favorable conditions for building a bright future for Singapore."
Lee Hsien Loong also called on the people to be more proactive in strengthening and safeguarding Singapore's international reputation. He said that handling domestic affairs well over the years is the foundation for Singapore to build its international reputation. The ways Singapore has built its diplomatic reputation also include speaking out when the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out, strengthening cooperation with its two close neighbors, Malaysia and Indonesia, to resolve long-standing bilateral issues, maintaining good relations with major powers against the backdrop of increasing geopolitical tensions, and making active and reliable contributions at the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and climate change conferences.
He pointed out that this is what a small country relies on to make many friends, advance its own interests, and hold its head high on the global stage. He said: "Singaporeans have every reason to be proud of the country's international status and the collective achievements. They can proudly say 'I am a Singaporean', and may our little red dot always shine brightly in the world."
After serving as Singapore's Prime Minister for 19 years, Lee Hsien Loong will officially step down from his position as Prime Minister on May 15th and hand over the baton to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Lawrence Wong.
上海市—新加坡全面合作理事会第二次会议上的黄循财/上海市政府网
Lee Hsien Loong is the eldest son of Singapore's founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. He succeeded Goh Chok Tong as the third-generation leader of Singapore in 2004. In 1992, Lee Hsien Loong was diagnosed with stage II lymphoma and recovered after undergoing chemotherapy. In 2015, after undergoing surgery, he successfully cured his prostate cancer.
In 2007, Lee Hsien Loong once said that Singapore should not have a "Prime Minister over the age of 70", hinting at retirement before the age of 70. However, Lee Hsien Loong, who is now 71 years old, said that due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, he was unable to hand over the reins as he wished before his 70th birthday. He once quipped, "But if all goes well, I will hand over the reins before the People's Action Party's 70th birthday next year. It's not my birthday, so let me borrow it!"
Lawrence Wong will also be the second leader of Singapore outside the Lee family in nearly 60 years since the country's founding. Since Singapore became an independent country in 1965, the People's Action Party led by the founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew has been in power.