National Day
Today is Singapore 39th National Day.
Recently, I had read a very interesting paragraph about Singapore National Day celebration, especially the National Day Parade on "The Economist". It uses the tone and expression to describe Singapore that I have never encountered before on "Singapore celebrates its independence--it split from the Malaysian Federation on August 9th 1965--with parades, fireworks, general revelry and a near-total shutdown of the usually bustling city-state. The main parade, held inside the National Stadium, will feature lots of military strutting (think North Korea with money). Tickets are notoriously difficult to come by, but giant screens at Singapore Indoor Stadium, the Esplanade--Theatres on the Bay, Fort Canning and Discovery Bay will broadcast the festivities." Though very scarstic, I have to say, it is really true.
Admittedly, as a country ruled by a single party, there are really limited democracy or freedom in this nation. Propaganda is also inevitablely used as a tool to promote social and political stability. In this highly competitive society, the stress level is mounting up; people find themselves have less and less spare time and friends. Due to the smallness in nature, the minds of Singaporeans, though may be full of knowledge, are restrained from accepting a broad view of the world. However, as I also told my friends, what Singapore has achieved today, is, indeed, a real miracle.
Four years in Singapore has help gained much knolwedge about this "red spot" on the planet. A small island with no natural resources, no capital and no educated labour force, few people would expect today's prosperity in Singapore. A few months ago, I have read a newspaper article on "The Straits Times" about the development in Singapore manufacturing sector. In 1960s, Singapore produced toilet ball and many low end manufacturing products. In 2000s, Singapore is producing pharmaceutical products such as Vigra (it is what I read from the article, vadility? not sure...) and many products which offer high rate of return.
"SMALL WONDER
With a population of four million - equivalent to less than 0.07 per cent of the world's population- Singapore makes
• 70% of the world's offshore oil rigs
• 70% of the world's impact printers
• 60% of the world's container chillers
• 50% of the world's flash lamps for cameras
• 40% of the world's disk drives
• 10% of the world's refrigerator compressors
In Asia, Singapore is also
• The top aerospace maintenance, repair and overhaul centre
• The largest flvours and fragrance centre
• The top producer of oil field equipment. "
Due to its sound economic fundamentals and prudent fiscal and monetary policies, Singapore passes through the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis and 2000 burst of the Internet Bubble in US smoothly without any major losses.
Being a small and vunerable country with majority population of Chinese, the political instability of the pressures from neighbouring Muslim countries is also a great potential danger. The constant peace and stability in Singapore is not an easy task.
Actually, what I wonder most about Singapore is still its achievements in the economic development. I always believe as long as the citizens in a country are able to enjoy a high standard of living and a secure social environment, the goals of a government have largely met. Hence, I generally have a very generous torlerance on the actions that Singapore government intervenes the citizens' personal lives. It may also due to the fact that I am from China and there are even more restrcition on our preferences. All in all, in my view, the political system is really not essential to a nation, as long as the country is developing and the citizens are able to enjoy the best possible lifestyle.
Many of my friends always have a strong dislike towards the celebrations held during the National Day period. However, every year, I would like to sincerely express my bless to Singapore for its achievements so far and much more prosperous developments in the future.
Happy Birthday, Singapore!
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home