Chinese clans' role still vital, says PM Lee

QX179R SG

SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the Chinese clan associations continue to play an important role in Singapore, especially in integrating new immigrants into society.

PM Lee was speaking at a Lunar New Year event organised by the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations and networking group Business China.

Clan associations sprang up in Singapore many years ago to help ease Chinese settlers into a new life here.

Now, their role remains as relevant as ever, Mr Lee said.

Addressing the crowd of several hundred in Chinese, Mr Lee lauded the clan associations for helping to smooth the friction between local Singaporeans and new immigrants -- through cultural exchanges and social activities.

"This is important for maintaining order and stability in society, especially in multi-racial, multi-cultural Singapore," Mr Lee said.

"Policies on immigration and population have far-reaching consequences, and we need everyone's support to reduce the negative effects, so that Singapore can keep on growing."

Mr Lee said the government will provide the necessary support for their activities.

He also promised help for the new Chinese Cultural Centre that the federation of clan associations intends to set up within three years.

The centre will hold regular performances, seminars and networking events, with the aim of being a "major activity centre" for the Chinese community.

Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations chairman Chua Thian Poh said: "This centre will promote Chinese culture and arts, as well as highlight Singapores multi-cultural identity.

"In promoting Chinese customs, we also hope to foster greater interaction with the different races, to help create a more gracious and accommodating society."

On Wednesday, five clans were honoured for their efforts in promoting Chinese culture, with the inaugural "Clan of the Year" award.

The clans are the Nanyang Khek Community Guild, the Foo Clan Association, the Singapore Amoy Association, the Singapore Foochow Association and the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan.

The federation hopes the award will spur other clans to do more to attract youths and preserve the Chinese heritage.

- CNA/wk

Darkness_hacker99 SG

Ya la! Our president very big one! Get endorsed by various clans, and only get a DECISIVE WINNING of 0.3% margin.

4sg SG

ya ya

ask the viet, pinoy, burmi, nepalese, indo, thai, ang mo all to join chinese clans become chinese.

Dalforce 1941 SG

On Wednesday, five clans were honoured for their efforts in promoting Chinese culture, with the inaugural "Clan of the Year" award.

The clans are the Nanyang Khek Community Guild, the Foo Clan Association, the Singapore Amoy Association, the Singapore Foochow Association and the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan.

The question of minority over majority, sooner or later must be resolved.

Whose side will Lee Hsien Loong take in that struggle? His side or the chinese clans?

Clivebenss SG

Ya la! Our president very big one! Get endorsed by various clans, and only get a DECISIVE WINNING of 0.3% margin.

troublemaker2005 SG

ya ya

ask the viet, pinoy, burmi, nepalese, indo, thai, ang mo all to join chinese clans become chinese.

nope - they are happy to be who they are now, thanks to what the ceena did in the past, they actions casuing so many of us have to split. don;t forget taiwan, hong kong, tibet. and nope spore is not any part related to china, although many ou=f our ancestors come from there but here is sg, really all tiues wihth most of our ancestors alreayd - lost.

ask why hk fall into bristish hands? its coz china casued it to be so. why taiwan went to the imperial japanese back the? also cheena did it. now want toclaim them back. country too fuck one big ass, people's hearts all very small