新加坡總理李顯龍年國慶華語羣衆大會演講

新加坡總理李顯龍2013年國慶華語羣衆大會演講
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s National Day Rally 2013 Chinese Speech

2013年8月18日
August 18, 2013

各位同胞，
Fellow Singaporeans,

大家晚上好！
Good evening!

多年來，我都在國立大學校園舉行國慶羣衆大會。今年，我改換了地點，來到位於宏茂橋的這所新的工藝教育學院。相信大家都會同意，這是一所美麗的校園，是讀書的好地方。對宏茂橋來說，這座校園是錦上添花。
I have held my National Day Rally at the University Cultural Centre for many years. This year, I have changed the venue to ITE Headquarters and College Central located in Ang Mo Kio. I think you will all agree that this is a beautiful campus, a good place for study. It is a beautiful addition to Ang Mo Kio.

獨立以前的宏茂橋是一片山芭，到處都是菜園、農園、亞答屋。大家住在甘榜，居住環境簡陋，沒有什麼設施可言。過了半個世紀，宏茂橋已經成爲一個現代化，富有朝氣和優雅的新鎮。它的設施齊全，學校、民衆俱樂部、體育場、理工學院，應有盡有。居民享有美輪美奐的高樓組屋，熱鬧的商場，景色怡人的碧山-宏茂橋公園。其實我們的意見，這個應該是宏茂橋-碧山公園。
Before Singapore became independent, Ang Mo Kio was a rural area, with mainly farms, plantations and attap huts. Everyone lived in kampongs, where the living conditions were poor and there were no facilities. In half a century, Ang Mo Kio has become a modern and vibrant estate. It now has a full range of amenities: Schools, community clubs, a stadium, polytechnic and many others. It has high-rise HDB flats, bustling malls and the scenic Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park – it should be called Ang Mo Kio-Bishan Park, in our opinion.

許多家庭在這裏居住了三十多年，老鄰居、老街坊之間感情深厚，是個溫馨的社區。每當我在這裏走動，都能看見很多熟悉的臉孔，都是老朋友。其中一位是在德義409巴剎賣菜的林太太。林太太經營這個攤位已經十多年了。我每次見到她，她都笑容滿面，跟今晚一樣。她有三個孩子，其中兩個念上大學，一個已經畢業了，這是她不小的成就。她的生意不錯，攤位總是擺得滿滿。不過有時擺過了界，違規了，就接到市鎮理事會的罰單。所以有時她見到我，就會告訴我說，請幫個忙。我的回答是，盡力而爲，可是要了解一下違規的情況，希望你跟市鎮理事會合作、配合。她說，盡力而爲，生意難做。其實，我爲林太太一家感到非常高興，因爲她的孩子學業有成，基本上生活已經不成問題了。一代人之間，整個家庭的生活改善了。
Many families in Ang Mo Kio have lived here for over 30 years. They have become close friends. It is a warm community. I see many familiar faces during my walkabouts, for example, Mrs Lim from Block 409 Market. Mrs Lim has managed her stall for more than 10 years. She is always smiling when I see her. She has three children. Two of them have gone to university, of whom one has graduated. Her business is good, and her stall often overflows with vegetables. Sometimes she takes up too much space and the Town Council fines her. So when we meet, she would ask me to persuade the Town Council to be lenient. I said I will try hard, but I will need to see if there are mitigating circumstances, and that I hope she will work with the Town Council. She replied that she will try. I feel happy for Mrs Lim. Her children are well educated and she need not worry about her basic needs. In one generation, you can see their lives have improved.

林家的成功故事，也是許多新加坡人的故事。父母一代省吃儉用，因爲希望讓下一代能夠接受良好教育，能夠過更好的日子。在很大的程度上，這一代人實現了這個願望。他們的子女，無論是教育水平、經濟條件、工作機會、平均壽命，都大爲改善。
The Lims’ story is shared by many Singaporeans. Our parents’ generation scrimped and saved to give their children a good education and better lives. In many ways, they have achieved this. The lives of their children have improved in many ways, be it in their education levels, economic wellbeing, job opportunities or life expectancy.

我們應該再接再厲，延續這個成功的故事，使一代比一代好。我們累積了足夠的資源，可以實現這個目標。
We must continue to work hard so that the next generation can do better than us. We have the experience and resources. We can do it!

我們必須要有新的構想，新的策略，不斷的進步。在下一個階段的發展，我們將面對更激烈的國際競爭。全球化的現象，科技的日新月異，也帶來許多新的、更大的挑戰。
We need a new approach to keep moving forward. There will be stiffer competition in our next phase. Globalisation and technology will pose more challenges.

世界各國都面對相同的局面。近年來，許多發達國家都在進行非常艱難的改革，以擺脫目前的困境，尋找新的增長動力。歐洲國家不少都面對嚴重的結構性的經濟問題，青年失業率特別高；南歐國家，許多青年失業率超過一半。換句話說，年輕人畢業之後，半數以上多年來都找不到工作，是很嚴重的問題。不過歐洲國家已經勒緊腰帶，進行了經濟重組，並且已經渡過最困難的時期了。我相信歐洲最終必定能夠恢復元氣。中國的發展勢頭良好，不過在前進的路上，中國也是困難重重。例如，中國大學畢業生一年比一年多，單單今年就有700多萬新的大學畢業生，比新加坡人口還要多。所以我們說要避免跟外勞競爭；世界上沒有一個躲避的角落。可是這個龐大的畢業生數目，也給中國政府帶來很大的麻煩。所以中國政府必須想盡辦法，爲他們製造恰當的就業機會，可以有適當的工作應用他們的才華。中國領導知道，中國必須加強改革開放，才能解決這個大問題。幸好，年輕的中國人很有拼搏的精神，他們之中人才濟濟。假以時日，他們將改變中國，改變世界。
Other countries face these situations too. In recent years, many developed countries have implemented tough reforms to overcome their difficulties and generate growth. Many European countries face serious structural economic problems and severe unemployment. Youth unemployment in several southern European nations is more than 50%. But European countries have tightened their belts, restructured their economies and come through the most difficult phase. I believe that European economies will recover. The prospects for China are good, but there are also many difficulties. China is producing more university graduates. There will be seven million graduates this year alone, more than Singapore’s population! The Chinese government is doing their best to create suitable jobs for these graduates. Chinese leaders know that they must strengthen reforms so as to solve this problem. Fortunately, the youth in China have fighting spirit, and they are talented. In time, they will change China, and change the world.

再回頭來看新加坡，我們整體的處境相當好。然而，我們也必須力爭上游，借鑑其他國家的經驗，學習他們不屈不撓的精神。當然，在經濟轉型的過程中，我們也碰到一些問題。
Singapore is in a good position – we have a stable economy and high employment. But we need to continue to strive, to learn from other countries and persevere. Of course, there will be downsides as we transform our economy.

本地中小型企業，尤其面對不少困難。它們要提高效率，改善業務，以節省人力。但是資源有限，往往心有餘而力不足——知道應該做什麼，但是談何容易。小型生意非常依賴外勞，所以他們最頭痛的是工人的短缺。很多老闆都訴苦，說他們有生意做，卻找不到工人。其實，我們並沒有減少外勞的人數；我們只是放慢了引進外勞的速度。我們的經濟還在增長，外勞總數有增無減。不過外勞仍舊供不應求，所以個別商家往往受到影響。政府瞭解商家的困難。我們將盡力幫助他們。不過，我們還是必須節制外勞的引進，不然的話，後果是不堪設想的。
SMEs, in particular, face many challenges. They have tried hard to raise productivity, improve service standards and reduce labour costs. But they have limited resources and cannot do this on their own. SMEs rely a lot on foreign workers. Hence, the biggest challenge for SMEs is manpower. Many SMEs complain that they have business but they cannot find workers. Actually, we did not stop the inflow of foreign workers; we have only adjusted the rate at which they are brought in. The economy is still growing, and the number of foreign workers is still rising. But the demand for foreign workers is high and some businesses will be affected by the slowdown in the inflow of foreign workers. The Government understands the difficulties that businesses have, and will try our best to help. However, we need to control foreign worker numbers; otherwise it will lead to serious consequences.

政府正在幫助企業提升和轉型。今年的財政預算案裏，我們就推出了一個過渡時期三年援助配套，動用了53億元，龐大的資金，以幫助商家降低成本、提高生產力。SPRING，就是標新局，服務的對象是中小型企業。標新局有各種各樣的援助配套；不怕沒援助，只怕君不知。
The Government is now helping businesses to upgrade and transform. In Budget 2013, we rolled out a 3-year Transition Support Package, costing $5.3 billion, to help businesses reduce costs and raise productivity. SPRING Singapore’s mission is to help SMEs. They have many schemes to do so.

楊木光議員是外勞中心的主席。最近，他就跟企業老闆做了一個很有意思的對話，討論令中小型企業頭痛的問題，尤其是討論外勞的問題。這場對話是由新明日報和老闆聯誼會聯合主辦。他們在一艘遊輪上一面“吃風”，一面談正經事，是一場很嚴肅的旅行。也許因爲如此，楊木光談的話特別生動。 他運用流行歌曲的歌名來比喻，妙語如珠。一方面，老闆闡訴他們的煩惱；一方面，政府解釋我們的苦衷。現在我跟大家分享一下：木光說，在外勞的問題上，老闆喜歡唱三首歌。第一首：《往事只能回味》。過去好好的，現在怎麼變了樣？所以往事只能夢裏回味。第二首：《我是一隻小小鳥》，歌詞很有意義，恰到好處。我不會唱，可是讀給你聽：“我是一隻小小小小鳥，想要飛呀飛 ，卻飛也飛不高。我尋尋覓覓尋尋覓覓，一個溫暖的懷抱；這樣的要求算不算太高？”真是可憐。這是老闆唱的歌，不是政府唱的歌。可是，老闆的第三首歌最難唱，也就是《月亮惹的禍》。木光版的歌詞非常獨特：“千錯萬錯，都不是我的錯，都是月亮惹的禍”；並且有些人說，那是閃電惹的禍。這是老闆唱的歌；而政府當然也必須會唱歌。我們也有三首；第一首：《你知道我在等你嗎？》；第二首：《我在你左右》；第三首，我們也有我們的第三首歌，最重要的：《明天你是否依然愛我？》。
MP Yeo Guat Kwang, who is Chairman of the Migrant Workers’ Centre, had an interesting dialogue with business owners on foreign workers recently. The dialogue was jointly organised by Shin Min Daily and the Bosses’ Network. It took place on board a cruise ship. Mr Yeo used popular Chinese song titles to make his point. He said business owners like three songs: 《往事只能回味》 “The Past Is But A Memory” (on foreign workers); 《我是一隻小小鳥》”I Am A Little Bird”, whose lyrics are “I am a tiny little bird, I try to fly but how high can I fly? I am looking for a warm embrace. Is this really too much to ask for?”; and 《月亮惹的禍》”It Is The Moon’s Fault”. Mr Yeo joked that some say it is the lightning’s (i.e. the PAP’s) fault. Mr Yeo also used three songs to describe what the Government feels: 《你知道我在等你嗎？》”Do You Know I Am Waiting For You?”; 《我在你左右》”I Am By Your Side”; and the third and most important song, 《明天你是否依然愛我？》”Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?”.

言歸正傳。外勞問題非常棘手，政府不可能有求必應，也沒有十全十美的辦法。但是，我們一定會幫助中小型企業尋找生機。所以接下來，張思樂部長將跟商界人士交流，進一步瞭解大家的問題，希望爲大家提供更好的援助。
Jokes aside, the foreign worker issue is complex. The Government cannot meet all the demands and there is no perfect solution. But we will help SMEs find a way to make it. Minister of State for Trade and Industry Teo Ser Luck will chair a workgroup to help SMEs. The workshop will meet different business representatives to find out how to better support them.

除了幫助企業之外，政府也在幫助人民減輕生活壓力。最近幾年，我們推出了一系列社會措施，名堂很多，不過都是爲了幫助中下層人民。 例如：消費稅補助券——抵消生活費的上漲；就業獎勵計劃——直接提高低薪工人的收入和公積金儲蓄；特別就業補貼計劃——鼓勵僱主聘用年長的員工。這些都是長期的援助措施，已經制度化了，不是一次過的；所以，我們有系統地每一年幫助中低層家庭提升他們的生活。通過這些措施，我們加強了社會安全網，使老百姓的生活更有保障。
Besides helping SMEs, the Government has also been helping Singaporeans to deal with the challenges and stresses of daily living. Over the last few years, we have introduced many schemes to help people in need, especially low income families. For example, we have GST Vouchers to help with cost of living; Workfare to top up the wages and CPF savings of low wage workers; and the Special Employment Credit to encourage employers to hire older workers. These are long-term support schemes which are already institutionalised. They are not stop-gap measures. They strengthen our social safety net and give families more security.

這些舉措加起來，代表的是決策方向的逐漸改變。這是政府落實新理念、新思路的開始。未來的幾年，政府將沿着這個新思路走下去，使政策更貼近人民的意願，更切合社會情況的改變。
Taken together, these measures also represent a fundamental shift in strategy. This Government will undertake a new approach, and a different mindset. Over the next few years, we will continue along this new direction. We hope to better understand the peoples’ concerns, move with our changing social needs and support all Singaporeans.

經過半個世紀的發展，新加坡已經來到一個轉捩點。我們的目標不變：我們要使人人都能安居樂業。所謂老有所養、壯有所爲、少有所教。但是，治國的方式和理念必須棄舊立新。最重要的是，我們必須調整政府、民間團體和個人三者之間的責任和角色，以取得一個新的平衡點。原本由個人承擔的一些生活擔子，現在由國家承擔得更多，或者由民間團體分擔。讓我舉一個已經在實施的計劃做爲例子，向大家說明這個構想。這是一個援助樂齡人士的計劃。許多老人家行動不便，日常生活有困難。政府於是設立了一個“樂齡助行基金”，爲年長者提供津貼，幫助他們購買年長者需要的東西，例如輪椅、老人椅、助聽器、老花眼鏡、牀墊等等。在這張照片裏，你可以看到吳作棟先生把一張方便洗澡的椅子送給老居民。這是在“樂齡助行基金”的協助下購買的東西。這個例子說明：政府的擔子加重了，個人的擔子減輕了。這是個開始，我們未來將做得更多。
After half a century’s development, Singapore is at a turning point. Our goals have not changed: We want our people to have good jobs and better lives. To do so, we need to renew our approach and ideas to governing. Most importantly, we have to strike a new balance between the roles of the Government, community and the individual. The Government and community will share a larger part of individuals’ burdens. Let me give you an example to illustrate this new thinking. This is about how we help the elderly. Many elderly are immobile and need help daily. The Government has thus set up the Seniors’ Mobility and Enabling Fund, to subsidise the purchase of equipment needed by our seniors, such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, special reading glasses and mattresses. (Referring to picture) This photo shows ESM Goh giving a new shower chair to an elderly resident. The Government is prepared to reduce families’ and individuals’ burdens. This is a start; we will do more in the future.

與此同時，政府也希望更多民間團體和個人參與公益活動，以輔助政府的角色。我們要打造一個有溫情又有活力的社會，不可能單靠政府。值得欣慰的是，新加坡人並不缺乏公益精神。一個很好例子就是新加坡獅子會多年來實行的一個收集和分發食品的慈善計劃。發起人是雷因旭先生。雷先生25年前——1988年開始，發動小販和商家捐出還沒賣出去的蔬菜和水果，然後自己送到各個慈善機構。這是每個星期五一次的活動。開始的時候，他單槍匹馬，遇到了很多問題。不過，他不怕困難的獻身精神，漸漸的得到了響應，很多人都受到感動，紛紛加入這項志願活動。25年如一日， 雷先生今年已經85歲高齡了，還經常到收集中心幫忙，精神可嘉。最近獅子會舉行晚宴，慶祝這個計劃的25週年。他們邀請我參加，所以我就跟大家一起，表揚雷先生的仁風義舉。謝謝雷先生。
At the same time, we also hope the community and the individual will do more to complement what the Government is doing. We want to build a caring community with vitality and energy. I am heartened that Singaporeans do not lack the spirit of giving and many Singaporeans are helping others. The Lions Food Distribution Project is a good example. The project was founded by Mr Looi Im Heok in 1988. He started to collect unsold vegetables and fruits from hawkers and business owners once a week and distribute them to charities across Singapore. At first he did it alone, and encountered many difficulties. But his perseverance touched many people, and they joined him in this meaningful endeavour. It has been 25 years, and Mr Looi is now 85 years old, but he still goes down to the collection centre every week to help. I met Mr Looi at a recent Lions Club dinner to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the project. Together, we commended Mr Looi’s compassion and commitment.

重新平衡政府、民間團體和個人的角色，是宏觀的調整，是一個過程，不可能在一夜之間實現。它需要各部門多年的努力，各項計劃逐步的落實。我們將優先處理一些迫切的民生問題，包括教育、醫療保健和住屋的問題。我們要減低人民所承擔的生活風險，特別是醫藥費的風險。我將在英語的演講中，進一步解釋這些政策。
Striking this new balance between Government, community and people is a process and it cannot be done overnight. We need to work on it, step by step, over many years. We will start with the immediate issues, including education, healthcare and housing. We want to reduce the risks for the people in their daily lives, especially for healthcare. I will expand on this in my English speech.

我們必須做好扶貧濟困的工作，以維持社會的凝聚力。我們應該確保社會不會走向兩極化；也應該設法提高低收入家庭的收入，同時幫助他們購買房屋，使他們擁有更多積蓄和資產。

We need to help those with less, to strengthen social cohesion. We have to ensure that society does not become divided between the rich and poor. We have to think of ways to raise the income of low income families, and help them buy their own flat, to help them accumulate more savings and assets.

我們也必須確保體制開放，保持社會的流動性，使到每個階層的人民，都有機會提升，尤其是通過教育的途徑。我剛纔提到的林太太一家，便是個好例子。良好的教育改變了一個家庭的處境，使下一代能夠期待更好的前程。政府將給予比較貧困的孩子更多幫助，使他們能夠處於更好的起跑點，不會因爲生活條件差，而落於人後。所以，政府去年決定大規模的資助幼兒園、託兒所，爲中低收入家庭提供更多津貼，使他們的孩子得到良好的啓蒙教育。我知道托兒設施目前供不應求，尤其是一些比較新的組屋區，例如榜鵝和盛港。因爲這些組屋區的年輕夫婦多，年幼的孩子比較多，加上夫婦倆都在工作，急着需要托兒服務。政府正在處理這個問題。在未來的五年內，我們計劃增設兩萬個幼兒園學額，讓年輕夫婦能夠安心工作，當然，也能夠安心養兒育女，這非常重要。
We need to keep our system open so that regardless of background, everyone can move up, especially through education. The Lims I mentioned are a good example. A good education has changed their circumstances and their children can look forward to better lives. The Government will help children from less fortunate backgrounds get to the same starting line as others, so they do not fall behind because of their circumstances. Hence, we decided last year to invest heavily in pre-school education. We gave low-income families more subsidies, so that their children can receive good pre-school education. There is a high demand for childcare facilities, especially in new estates like Sengkang and Punggol, where there are many young families with both parents working. We are working on a solution. Over the next five years, we will add 20,000 childcare places so that parents can be assured that their children are well cared for, when they are at work.

除了援助比較貧困的家庭，政府也將特別照顧另一組人士，也就是比較年長的新加坡人。這一代年長的人士，是我們的建國功臣。沒有他們的犧牲和努力，沒有今天的新加坡。我們有義務照顧他們。我知道許多新加坡人很孝順，百事孝爲先；他們盡心盡意照顧、服侍年老父母，使老人家感到家庭的溫馨。可是，並不是每個老人都這麼幸運。我在走訪居民的時候，發現越來越多“空巢老人”。有的只剩兩老，互相照顧，相依爲命；有的自己獨居，身邊沒有親人。一些老人膝下無人，完全無法依靠孩子。爲了更好的照顧老年人，並且爲了表達我們對他們的感激，政府將加強社會安全網，儘量使老年人生活無憂。在住屋方面，老年人面對的問題不大。多數老年人都擁有自己的組屋，並且早已還清貸款。他們的組屋可以說是他們的老本。老年人其實最操心的是醫藥費的問題。他們那一代人的工資偏低，保健儲蓄有限。萬一不幸生了一場大病，可能無法應付醫藥費。我們是有計劃幫助他們的，可是他們的心裏非常擔心。政府將調整醫藥制度，爲老年人制定一個特別配套，大大減輕他們的醫藥負擔。當然，醫藥費是人人關注的問題，新的醫藥體制也將照顧到其他羣體。所以，我籲請大家放心，不用緊張。我們在新加坡，肯定大家都能得到照顧。
Apart from helping needy families, the Government will also take special care of elderly Singaporeans. They are Singapore’s Pioneer Generation. Without them, there would be no Singapore. It is our duty to look after them. I know many Singaporeans are filial and they look after their parents. Their parents enjoy the love and support. But not all seniors are so fortunate. I meet a growing number of “empty nesters” during my house visits. Some elderly couples only have each other; some elderly live alone and have no family; some have no children, no one to rely on. To better look after the elderly, and to show them our appreciation, the Government will strengthen our social safety net, and reduce their worries. Their housing needs are taken care of – many elderly own their flats and have paid off the mortgage. The homes are their retirement nest egg. We know the elderly are most worried about medical bills. For this generation, their wages were low. Hence they have limited savings in their Medisave accounts. They are worried that they will not be able to afford the medical fees if they should fall ill. The Government will revamp our healthcare system, and set up a special package for the elderly, to lessen their healthcare costs. Naturally, all of us are concerned about healthcare. The new healthcare system will also look after the others, so do not worry. In Singapore, everyone will be taken care of.

以上我所談的，是我們正在處理的各種民生課題。在我們處理問題、排憂解難的時候，也應該着眼未來，繼續建設，尋求發展。我們的前輩爲我們奠下良好的基礎。因爲前輩的努力，我們今天才擁有繁榮的經濟、和諧的社會、優良的基礎設施。前人種樹，後人乘涼。這是華族根深蒂固的思想意識。現在是輪到我們爲後人種樹的時候了。我們應該繼續不斷積累成就和資源，爲子孫後代造福。
This is how the Government will help with the cost of living. But even as we are dealing with current problems, we need to take a longer view of the future, to continue to build and find new opportunities for growth. Our forefathers have left us a strong foundation, and we now enjoy a vibrant economy, harmonious society and good infrastructure. There is a Chinese saying, “Forefathers planted the tree, descendants enjoy the shade”. It is our turn to create a better tomorrow for our next generation, to invest in our future to give our children and grandchildren the best chances to thrive.

我知道，年輕一代對前景充滿期待。我們應該爲他們創造有利的環境，讓他們發揮所長、施展抱負，使新加坡成爲他們創業、就業和生兒育女的好地方。我有決心，我們也有能力，達到這個目標。
Our youth are optimistic about the future. We should create more opportunities for them to achieve their potential. We want to make Singapore a great home for them to live, work, play and have families. We are determined and have the resources to achieve this.

總結
Conclusion

最後，讓我總結一下我今晚的談話。在治國的理念上，我們做了重要的調整，並且已經根據新理念，重新制定民生政策。接着幾年，我們將全力落實這些政策，替人民解決困難，使人民的生活一年比一年好。我們的目標是：不分貧富，人人受惠。要做到這點，我們必須特別照顧生活比較困難的社羣，尤其是低薪家庭和年長一代；同時我們也會繼續努力，爲年輕的新加坡人創造更美好的未來。政府將全力以赴，不過我們需要人民的支持與配合。大家可以期待《明天會更好》，因爲《我 （們就） 在你左右》！
To sum up, we have made important shifts in how we govern, and we have used the new approach to relook at how we craft social policies. Our priority for the next few years will be to implement these policies, to resolve the challenges that people face and help improve Singaporeans’ lives. Our goal is to ensure that everyone benefits. To achieve this, we need to take special care of those who are in difficult circumstances, especially low income families and the elderly. At the same time, we will also strive to give the younger generation a better future. The Government will do its utmost, but we need your support and for you to work together with us. Singaporeans can look forward to (quoting song titles) “a better tomorrow”, because “we will be there for you”.

謝謝大家！
Thank you!