1.         My fellow Singaporeans,
 

2.         Our economy has rebounded strongly from last year’s recession. GDP grew 17.9% Y-on-Y in the first half of this year. Many jobs have been created, and unemployment is low.  Our workers can look forward to better wages, more overtime and higher bonuses this year.
 

3.         Growth is likely to moderate in the second half. Still, MTI forecasts growth for the year to be between 13 and 15%. This exceptional performance is the fruit of Singaporeans’ united response during the crisis. This enabled us to take full advantage of improved global conditions.
 

4.         But let us not get carried away. Risks remain in the world economy, especially in Europe and the US. The global financial system is not fully mended. Singapore is small and open. If the world economy turns bad, we will be buffeted.  We need to stay vigilant and watch the developments worldwide.
 

5.         We cannot expect to repeat this year’s sterling performance year after year, but we can continue to grow our economy with sustained effort. We must invest in our people, upgrade our infrastructure and improve our productivity. Then we can take full advantage of opportunities in a booming Asia and prosper.
 
6.         Our goal is for all Singaporeans to enjoy the fruits of growth. When Singa­pore prospers, you will benefit from many government programmes: better designed HDB estates, higher quality schools and hospitals, more MRT lines and new places for recreation. But each one of us has to make the effort.  Every student must be keen to learn and go as far as you can.  Every worker must master the knowhow and skills to be productive and competitive. Every manager must train and motivate his staff to maximise their contribution and potential. Only then can Singaporeans do the better jobs that our economy will create, and enjoy higher incomes, brighter opportunities, and more fulfilling lives.
 
7.         The Government will support Singaporeans in this, by developing a first class education system for our young, and a comprehensive Continuing Education and Training (CET) programme to upgrade our workers.
 
8.         Our education system has been successful. A large majority of our students are progressing beyond school to post-secondary and tertiary institutions. Graduates from ITE, polytechnics and universities readily secure good jobs.
 

9.         Our education system caters to all students, and not just the most outstanding ones. Our schools go beyond book learning to teach students how to solve problems, and imbue them with sound moral values. We create multiple pathways for students of different abilities and interests to progress. We help every neighbourhood school to be a good school, with its own strengths and specialities. We identify and develop each student’s talents, and give him every opportunity to excel.
 

10.       We will continue to improve our education system.  We are recruiting and training more teachers, to enable us to deliver a more holistic and rounded education. We will help every school to offer something extra and different, and thus give students more good choices. We will create new peaks of excellence in ITEs, polytechnics and universities, to stretch our students. I ask parents and students to work with us, to give our youth the best start in life.
 

11.       Beyond schools, we must build up Continuing Education and Training. The Government is investing $5.5 billion over 5 years to do this. We are building two CET campuses in the East and West of Singapore, and introducing many schemes and incentives to help companies and workers improve their productivity.  I am glad employers and unions strongly support CET, because their support is crucial.
 

12.       We will develop and invest in our people, but we also need to reinforce the Singa­pore team with talent and numbers from abroad. This is critical to us. Other countries are not only much larger than us, but have far deeper pools of talent than we have. We must make up for the shortage of Singaporean workers in our economy and the shortfall of babies in our population. Without an inflow, over time our economy and society will lose vibrancy, our citizens will enjoy fewer opportunities, and our shining red dot will grow dimmer.
 

13.       I understand Singaporeans’ concerns about taking in so many foreign workers and immigrants. Some of us wonder: Will it change the ethos of our society? Will it mean more competition for us at work, or for our children in schools? Will the new arrivals strike roots here? Can they adjust to us, and we to them?
 

14.       These are valid concerns which we must address. We will control the inflow, to ensure that it is not too fast, and not too large. We will only bring in people who can contribute to Singapore, and work harder to integrate them into our society. And we will make clear that citizens come first. After all, we are doing this for the sake of Singaporeans.
 

15.       We cannot do without a proportion of foreign workers, or a continuing flow of PRs and new citizens. Let us welcome them with an open heart, help them to fit in and encourage those who will become citizens to strike roots here. If we do this well, by the next generation, their children will be native Singa­poreans. Remember, we ourselves are descendants of immigrants too. With new arrivals living and working harmoniously with those born here, we will keep Singapore dynamic, cosmopolitan, and successful.
 

16.       That is the face that Singapore must show the world during the Youth Olympic Games. Our cityscape will certainly wow the visitors. They will see the signature skyline at Marina Bay and our new downtown; the high quality public housing like The Pinnacle, where I am now; and the beautiful urban spaces and natural greenery all over the island.
 

17.       More importantly, we must impress with the spirit of our people.  At this first YOG, let us show the world what Singapore can do. Our athletes have been training hard. Our volunteers, 20,000 strong, stand ready to welcome our guests. Thousands of participants and guests will be arriving soon. I hope all Singaporeans will work together to put up a good show, and make the games memorable for all our visitors.
 

18.       On our 45th National Day, let us celebrate our achievements as one united people. We can be proud of what we have attained, but we must keep learning from others, improve in every area and strive hard to achieve our future goals. Tomorrow’s Singapore must be better than today’s.
 

19.       I wish all Singaporeans a Happy National Day.

国庆献辞

1.         亲爱的同胞
 

2.         我国经济已经从去年的衰退中强力回弹，在今年上半年同比增长了17.9%。经济回弹制造了许多新的工作职位，目前的失业率很低。我国工友今年可以期待更高的工资，更多加班的机会，以及更可观的花红。
 

3.         经济增长在今年下半年很可能会缓慢下来。不过，贸工部仍旧预测今年的经济增长率将介于13%到15%之间。 这个非比寻常的经济表现，应该归功于新加坡人在面对经济危机时表现得很团结，使我们能够充分地从复苏的世界经济中获益。
 

4.         然而，我们应该保持冷静的态度。世界经济仍存在一些风险，特别是在欧美国家。国际金融体系的改革还没完成。我们的经济规模小，而且很开放，如果国际经济再度陷入困境，我们必将受到冲击，因此有必要保持警惕和关注世界局势的演变。
 

5.         我们也不可能每年都有那么好的表现。然而，只要我们努力不懈，还是可以取得持续的增长。我们应该拨出更多资源提升人民的谋生技能，并且改善基础设施和提高生产力。这能让我们充分把握欣欣向荣的亚洲所带来的机会，使我们保持繁荣昌盛。
 

6.         我们的目标是让全体人民分享经济增长的成果。如果新加坡欣欣向荣，人民可以从许许多多的政策中受惠，包括更美观实用的组屋，素质更高的学校和医院，更多的地铁线，以及新的消闲场所。不过，个别新加坡人也应该尽力而为。每一位学生应该勤于学习，争取力所能及的教育水平。每一个工人应该掌握必要的技能和知识，使自己具备高度的生产力和竞争力。每一位管理人员应该培训和激励员工，使他们尽心尽力，作出最大的贡献。唯有这样，新加坡人才能胜任更高素质的工作，赚取更高的工资，享有更好的职业前景和更有意义的生活。
 

7.         政府将给予人民必要的帮助。我们将为年轻一代提供最优良的教育制度，并且为所有工友提供一套全面的延续教育和培训计划。
 

8.         我们建立了一个成功有效的教育制度。大多数学生能够完成中学教育，升入工艺教育学院，理工学院，或其他大专院校修读。同时，这些学院 以及大学的毕业生，都不难找到理想的工作。
 

9.         我们是为所有学生提供良好的教育，而不只是最优秀的学生。我们的学校不仅传授知识，还教导学生如何解决问题，并且向他们灌输正确的道德价值观。我们为不同专长和兴趣的学生提供多种升学的途径，也协助提升各个邻里学校，使它们成为各有特色和优点的好学校。我们也尽力发掘和拓展每位学生的优点，给予他们各种机会发挥专长。
 

10.      我们将继续改进教育制度，招募和训练更多的教师，为学生提供更完备，更平衡的教育。我们将协助每一所学校创建各自的强项和特色，为学生提供更多的选择。我们将在工艺教育学院，理工学院和大学创造全新的学业高峰，为学生提供磨练的机会。我吁请家长和学生跟政府一起努力，为我们的下一代创设最好的人生起点。
 

11.      政府也将逐步加强延续教育和培训计划，在未来的5年为这项重要的计划注入55亿元。我们将在新加坡的东部和西部设立两所校园，也将推出许多课程和奖励，以鼓励企业和工友积极提高他们的生产力。我很高兴雇主和工会热烈响应这些计划。他们的支持最为关键。
 

12.      我们将动用资源培养本地人才，但是也必须引进外来人才和劳工，以加强新加坡团队的实力。这是至关紧要的，因为其他国家的土地面积大得多，人才资源也远比我们丰富。我们必须弥补工人和生育率的不足。少了人才的流入，新加坡的经济和社会将逐渐失去蓬勃朝气，能够让人民施展才华的机会也将越来越少，而我们这个小红点也会失去不少光彩。
 

13.      我知道新加坡人担心太多外劳和移民涌入所带来的问题。一些国人的疑问是：我们的社会风气会不会受到影响？本地的工人和学生会不会面对更大的竞争压力？新来的移民是否会落地生根？外来人和本地人能否互相适应？
 

14.      这些都是合理的疑虑。我们将控制外国人的流入，确保流入的速度不会太快，数量不会太多。我们将只引进对新加坡有贡献的人，并且会加倍努力使他们融入我们的社会。同时，我们将明确地让新加坡公民享有优先待遇。其实，这项政策也是以新加坡人的利益为出发点。
 

15.      我们不能完全停止引进外劳，或者停止接纳永久居民和新公民。因此， 让我们以宽广的胸怀迎接他们，帮助他们融入社会，鼓励他们在这里落地生根，成为新加坡公民。如果我们能够做到这些，到了下一代，这些移民的孩子将成为道道地地的新加坡人。不要忘记，我们也是移民的后代。土生土长的公民和新移民之间，如果能够融洽地一起工作和生活，新加坡就能继续成为一个富有朝气，多元文化和成功的社会。
 

16.      在青年奥林匹克运动会期间，我们应该向世人展示一个这样的新加坡。外国人可欣赏到滨海湾美丽的风景线和崭新的市中心，也可看到高素质的组屋，包括我现在所处的达士岭组屋.，还有我们美丽的、绿意盎然的花园城市。
 

17.      更重要的是，我们应该展示新加坡人的精神，让世人留下印象。这是第一届青年奥林匹克运动会，我们应该让世人知道我们办事的能力。我们的运动员进行了艰苦的训练，两万名志愿者即将迎接来自各地数以万计的参赛者和嘉宾。我希望新加坡人能够一起努力把青奥会办好，使所有青奥会的参与者留下美好的回忆。
 

18.      这是我们的第45个国庆日。让我们团结起来，一起庆祝国家所取得的成就。我们可以感到自豪，但是我们也应该继续向其他国家学习，在各个领域力争上游，并且为我们的目标奋发努力。明天的新加坡一定要超越今天的新加坡。
 

19.      我祝贺全体新加坡人国庆日愉快。