His Excellency Chen Xunqiu
Minister, Central Committee Office for Comprehensive Social Management of the People’s Republic of China
Friends from China,
Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
1. Good afternoon and thank you for attending this inaugural Singapore-China Social Management Forum. In particular, I would like to extend a special welcome to Mr Chen Xunqiu and our Chinese friends. We thank Mr Chen and his delegation for their strong support of this inaugural forum.
2. Over the past few decades, both China and Singapore have achieved strong economic growth and job creation. This has created jobs and raised living standards for our citizens. But it has also brought about social issues that are typically associated with more developed economies.
3. In our discussions over the past two days, Mr Chen and I talked about some of the common challenges we face. Partly due to the effects of globalisation, the income gap in both countries has widened. Given the more open flow of goods, services, information and people across our borders, societal composition, attitudes and values are also becoming more diverse. Amidst these changes, new divides may emerge. We will need to pay more attention to maintaining social cohesion and harmony.
4. Demographically, both Singapore and China are also experiencing declining birth rates and ageing populations. This will affect the ability of family units to serve as the main line of social support. It also has implications on a wide range of government social policies such as healthcare, housing, retirement adequacy and social safety nets.
5. No country, including Singapore and China, has figured out the answers to these challenges. It is also unlikely that standard solutions exist. Each country will have to find its own way. But in doing so, there is much we can learn from one another.
6. Over the last few days, we are honoured to have played host to Mr Chen and his delegation. I hope that they have found the briefings at my ministry, the Housing and Development Board, and the National Trades Union Congress useful. I also hope that the visits to our public housing estate and community centres, as well as to our heritage sites and religious places of worship helped to illustrate how we have put some of our policies into practice.
7. Singapore is happy to share our approach and what has worked in our context. We are also keen to learn more about China’s thinking and experience in social policy and management. In this regard, I am very pleased that our countries have exchanged letters yesterday on the sharing of knowledge and experiences in social management.
8. The exchange of letters places on record our intent to designate social management as a key area of bilateral exchange and cooperation, and as part of the agenda of the Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation between our two countries. More importantly, it marks another milestone in the close bilateral ties and strong collaborations between our countries.
9. Today’s forum marks a good start to this new relationship. In the first half of today’s session, we will look at the topic of “Inclusive growth and the Income Gap”. We are keenly aware that inclusive growth does not come naturally. On its own, market forces can bring about economic growth. But it can also widen disparities in wealth and income. The Chinese saying, 孤掌难鸣, is particularly relevant in this context – inclusive growth requires both the invisible hand of the market and the visible hand of the government and community.
10. For this topic, we will hear from Mr Loh Khum Yean, Permanent Secretary from the Ministry of Manpower. Mr Sun Zhigang, Vice Minister of China’s National Development and Reform Commission, will share China’s approaches.
11. The second half of this afternoon’s forum will focus on the topic of “Innovation in Social Management and Building a Harmonious Society”. In fostering social harmony across different groups, Singapore has adopted multi-pronged approach – of legislations, policies, social institutions and community efforts. In Chinese, one could probably sum up our approach in eight words: 多管齐下, 齐头并进. Collectively, these measures help us to enlarge common space and reduce divides.
12. Mr Chan Heng Kee, Permanent Secretary from the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, will share Singapore’s experiences. Mr Shen Weichen, Vice Minister in China’s Central Publicity Department will share more about China’s approach.
13. I am confident that today’s session will serve as a useful platform for us to understand each other’s perspectives and generate new ideas. I look forward to an engaging and productive forum.
14. Thank you.
