Singapore - S'pore has to manage inflow of foreigners and help them adapt: PM Lee

SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Hong Kong and Singapore, which have seen an influx of Chinese immigrants in recent years, have had to adjust to the social impact of a rising China.

Mr Lee said Singapore deals with this issue by managing the inflow of immigrants and getting them to adapt to the local way of life.

Mr Lee was speaking on Tuesday at the closing dialogue of the FutureChina Global Forum which brought together more than 60 speakers to share insights on China's evolving society and culture.

China's rising economic status has brought financial gain to its neighbouring countries, as well as social implications.

He said it was "completely understandable" that Singaporeans may feel uncomfortable with the recent influx of mainland Chinese immigrants, who may look the same as Singaporean Chinese, but sound and behave differently.

He said the government will continue to manage the social impact of immigration, and urged newcomers to play their part.

Mr Lee said: "We have to encourage the non-Singaporeans who are living here to adapt to the circumstances in Singapore and understand that this is a different society with different values and cultures and (a society that is) multi-racial and religious. (They) have to make those adaptations which the Singaporean Chinese have adapted and learned over several generations. Of course, we also have to manage the numbers and the flow and make sure that we're not overwhelmed. We have to make sure there is effort on both sides to make this a working, adapted and well-adjusted relationship."

Mr Lee also touched on the impact of foreign buyers on Singapore's property market.

"We don't want our property market to be destabilised like this by external influences so we've had to put in some firebreaks and some protection (measures) to insulate ourselves from some very abnormal circumstances internationally now... but they have not yet completely caused our prices to normalise. That will take some time."

On the issue of attracting and retaining talent in Singapore - a problem faced by cities around the world - Mr Lee said: "We must expect that people will go, and at the same time, we must attract people who can make a contribution to Singapore to come to Singapore."

Mr Lee said Singapore is an attractive choice because there are opportunities here and it is an exciting and good place to live.

"We try to make it such that if you come (to Singapore) and make a contribution, you can do well and fulfill your potential. I think we have to be like that if Singapore is to prosper," said Mr Lee.

On the business front, Mr Lee said Singapore companies can benefit from the continued cooperation between the two countries over the past 20 years.

Mr Lee also noted that Singapore companies can continue to tap on China's rising middle-class. He pointed out that brands such as Breadtalk, Charles & Keith, and shopping malls like Raffles City, have already entered the Chinese market.

Mr Lee said the key to success is to ensure that companies continue to deliver, and that the Singapore brand does not get tarnished.

- CNA/fa

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