Singapore held a historically significant "Prime Minister Transition" ceremony at 8 pm on May 15th, where Heng Swee Keat formally succeeded Lee Hsien Loong, becoming Singapore's fourth Prime Minister.
This moment not only signifies the change in the country's leadership but also profoundly showcases Singapore as a modern immigrant nation that embraces cultural diversity.
At the ceremony, invited guests from various ethnicities gathered, including President Halimah Yacob of Indian descent.
Representatives of different ethnicities and skin colors, including Chinese, Malay, European, and Indian, witnessed this pivotal moment together.
Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat delivered his speech in English, Malay, and Mandarin, reflecting Singapore's characteristic as a multilingual and multicultural society.
This scene vividly illustrates that Singapore is no longer simply a "Chinese nation" but a society that integrates diverse ethnicities while sharing core values.
Despite the majority of the population being Chinese, approximately 75%, and the initial founding by Chinese immigrants, no ethnic group in Singapore enjoys privileges, including the Chinese.
English, as Singapore's first language, though not convenient for most Chinese, reflects Singapore's efforts and sacrifices to accommodate other minority ethnicities.
This language policy eliminates any language privilege that any ethnic group might enjoy, promoting equality and social stability.
Singapore embodies the characteristics of a modern immigrant nation, attracting diverse cultures from around the world.
Similar to countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia, Singapore has evolved from a "white preference" policy to multicultural integration.
Today, Singapore pursues an open and inclusive governance philosophy, allowing ethnicities to preserve their cultures while identifying with shared core values.
From language to food and festivals, Singapore showcases the unique charm of multiculturalism.
"Singlish," a blend of English, Hokkien, Tamil, Teochew, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Malay, fully embodies linguistic diversity in Singaporean English.
Singaporean cuisine is deeply influenced by China, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, the Philippines, and Myanmar.
Moreover, Singapore is not only a place for major ethnic festivals of Chinese, Indians, and Malays but also a place where all ethnicities celebrate cultural traditions together.
Although Singapore is no longer a singular "Chinese nation," its status as a financial center in Asia continues to attract global elites and wealthy individuals who choose to settle here.
This choice is supported by Singapore's very low tax rates and territorial tax system, making it a crucial hub for global economic activities and an ideal place to live.
Singapore's successful experience proves that multiculturalism and social inclusiveness are the best practices for modern governance.
Rather than pursuing privileges for any single ethnicity, Singapore upholds an attitude of openness and inclusivity, creating a prosperous and harmonious society together.
In Singapore, everyone has the opportunity to pursue their dreams, regardless of where they were born or their ethnicity.
Singapore has become a vibrant modern nation that embraces multiculturalism, providing valuable lessons and insights for other countries.
Through equality, inclusiveness, and shared core values, Singapore demonstrates how a multicultural society can achieve prosperity and progress.
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