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Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Chok Tong on China's Future Development
Just prior to the 36th anniversary of Singapore's National Day, Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew and Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong gave a speech, both of them talked about China, their speeches are very encouraging in this regard.
Lee Kuan Yew spoke about China's development in English and Chinese at an evening party held on August 19. "So long as China's mainland and America will have no conflict and China raises its education level and social organization ability," he said, "China will be sure to become a large economic entity in the coming 50 years, with an economic strength 5 even 10 times stronger than Japan".
Lee Kuan Yew said that every year when he went on a visit to China's mainland, he feels anew, not only in Shanghai or Beijing. "The Chinese people are making remarkable progress and are very hardworking and eager to learn", many book stores are fully packed with people, some even read books in book stores when they think books are too expensive, this is not seen in Singapore.
Lee said that the rapid development in China has brought Singapore great challenge, The Singaporeans must improve their education and technology level, should they keep their advantage in the coming ten years. Ministers of Singapore often meet with Chinese people, they have seen China's great potential. As economic globalization progresses, many transnational corporations may come to China for businesses in coming years.
Lee said that when China was still a self-closed country in 1965, Singapore developed so fast like cars on expressways. At that time, with not many rivals on the same road, people in Singapore could see various problems and threats ahead. Every one knew that if they were not diligent, hardworking, they would be starving. Every one worked so hard so Singapore developed so well than they expected.
By contrast, in the year 2001, the Singaporean people do not feel so much challenge, this is because that they do not feel dangerous because they are living comfortably, current challenge does not seem so worrying. Lee Kuan Yew called on community leaders to explain the country's future problems, hoping they can help government persuade people to support re-education and training. He believes that Singapore has enough ability to adapt to the changing environment and find its position in international competition.
Goh Chok Tong said that at his speech that the biggest challenge for Singapore is how to give a correct view about China's rising and its own foothold. He knew that many young people do not like China, he feels sorry about their narrow minds. Goh Chok Tong stressed that at the beginning of 1990s, 20 percent of investment flown to East Asia (excluding Japan) was absorbed by China, and 50 percent by Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), but now the situation is reversed, China takes 50 percent and ASEAN gets 20 percent. Even India promotes its product by posting "Made in China".
Goh Chok Tong said that China's advantage lies in its low cost. By contrast, salary in Singapore is 12 times higher than China's, land lease price is 30 times higher China's. He said that China has become a high-tech power or even overtakes Singapore. In a couple of years, many products made in Singapore can also be made in China, and much better, cheaper. Even public toilet, much cleaner and beautiful.
Goh Chok Tong stressed that he does not mean China will overpower other economies, but tells his people to grasp this good opportunity and get benefits by investing in China. He said that I do not mean that China would overwhelm all other economies to keep on rising at the expense of others' benefits.
By PD Online staff member Li Yan
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