2F CID Group 2

During the week our beloved founding Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, passed away, Singaporeans moaned his demise while reflecting on his contributions that left such a huge impact on this little red dot that it is now one of Asia's leading nations. TV stations broadcasted tributes to him, aired past National Day Rallies with him speaking and replayed some of the past speeches he had made to the Parliament. All these actions show the huge amount of respect Singaporeans have for both Mr Lee and his contributions. Thus, since Mr Lee's contributions were so great, how can Singapore with the help and contributions of Mr Lee be seen to be her own version of the "Golden Age"? 

In China, the "Golden Age" of the Chinese civilisation was during the Tang Dynasty that was founded by Emperor Gaozu. It was the time when China had significant developments in art, literature, poetry and technology. In all, it was the period of time when their improvements were at its peak. 

My personal opinion is that Singapore's "Golden Age" can be seen to have started right on the day Singapore became independent. The reason for this is simply because Singapore's independence is what I would call her 'springboard' towards the future drastic improvements she was going to make, modernising from a third-world country to a first-world country. The methods and policies which brought drastic improvements to Singapore, as Singaporeans are probably already familiar with, were all planned by Mr Lee and his team of government. Mr Lee's policies, although strict and controlling, were and still are the key to Singapore's success as a nation. 

A policy that was implemented by Mr Lee that till now is still in existence is the policy that requires all students in Singapore to be bilingual, that is, to be able to speak two languages fluently. However, before this policy was implemented, there was a huge disagreement about what the working language of Singapore should be. Despite each of the three largest ethnic groups in Singapore, the Chinese, the Malays and the Indians, each arguing that their language should be the working language of Singapore, Mr Lee ultimately stood by his decision and made English it. This decision of his was the one that made Singapore improve by leaps and bounds. Although Mr Lee made the working language of Singapore English as he wanted to both be fair to all the ethnic groups and to make communication with Western countries easier, he also understood the importance of people knowing and appreciating their ethnic and cultural roots. Therefore, the policy of bilingualism came into place, with students having to learn both English and their Mother Tongue languages in schools. Needless to say, this made Singaporeans not just able to communicate with others from Western countries, it also made us able to communicate with those from Eastern ones, improving the social and political relations between more countries and Singapore. As a matter of fact, this policy of bilingualism has much to do with our upcoming OELP trip to China. If we only knew how to speak English but did not know how to speak Chinese, it would just make it that much harder for us to be able to communicate with the people there. Ergo, the fact that we are bilingual and know how to speak and understand Chinese would help us learn from others more effectively. 

Bilingualism is only one of the many successful policies that were implemented by Mr Lee. Other policies implemented include allowing all Singaporeans to own their own housing properties and banning people from selling gum whether in shops or on the streets of Singapore. Although some from other parts of the world have commented that these policies are not useful and are limiting the freedom of Singaporeans, I believe otherwise. While the policy that does not allow gum to be sold in Singapore may seem cruel to those who are so used to chewing it, this policy was implemented simply to help keep Singapore clean by avoiding the presence of sticky, chewed gum on public grounds. Hence, Mr Lee had foresight. He knew what was good and bad for Singapore and did what he could by implementing useful policies to make sure Singapore grew in the best possible way. 

In conclusion, I feel that the "Golden Age" of Singapore can be seen right from the start when Singapore became independent up till now. This is as ever since then, Singapore has never stopped improving, turning from a third-world country into a first-world one within a time span of less than 50 years. All these were made possible by Mr Lee's ingenious implementation of policies and his great contributions. He selflessly dedicated his life towards building Singapore. We ought to be thankful to him for all that we have today. 

Thank you, Mr Lee. Your contributions to Singapore will live in our hearts forever.

China's socialist market economy is the world's second largest economy by nominal GDP. In addition, it is also one of the world's fastest growing major economy, with growth rates averaging 10% over the past thirty years. Just by looking at these statistics, it is undeniable that China's economy had been booming with prosper over the last few years. But just what is the cause of this rapid growth in China's economy? 

In 1978, after years of state control of all productive assets, the government of China embarked on a major program of economic reform. It encouraged people to start rural enterprises and private businesses, liberalized foreign trade and investment, made state control over some prices less strict, and invested in industrial production and the education of its population, who are its workforce. To almost everyone, this strategy has worked incredibly in aiding the growth of China's economy. New machinery, more advanced technology and more investments in infrastructure are part of the improvements China has made to ensure that its economy prospers. However, I shall not further elaborate on this point lest this blog post will turn into a Wikipedia page. 

I personally feel that the leaders of China had much foresight to come up with such strategies to improve the economy in their country. They knew that the setting up and success of private businesses would lead to other countries wanting to do business with them. Education was also of great importance, as they knew that an educated population of people would lead to a higher level of efficiency in China's workforce.  New machinery, more advanced technology and more investments in infrastructure also helped China attract more foreign investors. All these measures led to the rapid economic growth in China and were taken as the leaders of China were confident that they would affect the country's economy positively, despite the risk. Hence, the leaders of China possessed an important quality that contributed to the rapid economic growth there: foresight. 

Since China has a large population, labour is readily available. What makes it more attractive is that it is available at a low price. Cheap labour has led to companies in China being able to hire more workers to help out in factories, thus making the production of goods efficient and of good quality. This has led to mass production being made possible. Mass production enables companies to churn out goods faster than ever, therefore ensuring that stocks will not run out so easily. These two factors are of great importance to China's economic growth and opening up of their country to international trade. 

Even though China is a completely different country from Singapore, their rapid economic growth will no doubt have its implications on us. Firstly, as China's economy grows, more goods on the market will be made in China. As a matter of fact, such goods are already aplenty. Products such as those made by the US-based company, Apple, although may be designed in California but are actually made in China. Truth to be told, the reason for this is that the labour force and infrastructure in the US is not at the level necessary to support Apple's operations. Fun fact: The Chinese factory where most iPhones reach final assembly employs a staggering 230,000 workers. This no doubt proves the power of China's labour force. Secondly, since Singaporeans were educated to be bilingual, we have an advantage when it comes to discussing partnerships with outstanding Chinese companies. This could perhaps help our local businessmen, architects and other talents expand their businesses and be offered greater opportunities in China and beyond, giving rise to our economy altogether. Examples will be given in the next paragraph.

Even though most of us know that China has one of the largest and fastest growing economy in the world, did you know that Singapore has numerous joint ventures with them? Here are some examples. The China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park, the Sino-Singaporean Tianjin Eco-city and the opening of businesses such as Breadtalk outlets in China are all examples of Singapore-based companies expanding to China or projects by the Singaporean government in China. These projects shows the close bond between the two countries. Moreover, due to the rapidly increasing standard of living in China, the Chinese citizens can afford to travel to Singapore, let alone patronize our local businesses in their home country. Both of these lead to growth in Singapore's economy. However, when put in the form of tourism, Singapore's economy is affected almost directly by the actions of the Chinese citizens. Them traveling to our country will result in the growth of our economy, more specifically, especially in the hotel, tourism and F&B industries. Ergo, in an event that China's economy falls, Singapore's economy may be forced to decline as well, although not as much. However, we should always remain vigilant and depend on ourselves when it comes to keeping our country's economy stable.

What country do you think of when you see the Merlion? That's right, you think of Singapore. Singapore, and nowhere else. The Merlion is a mystical creature with the head of a lion, representing Singapore's original name 'Singapura' which means 'lion city', and the body of a fish, representing Singapore's original status as a fishing village. It was designed in 1964 for the Singapore Tourism Board and sites holding the approved statues of the Merlion are probably the most popular places for tourists to visit. However, is the Merlion the best national icon for Singapore?

In all honesty, I think yes, the Merlion is the best national icon for Singapore. As many have mentioned, indeed, the Merlion does both signify and remind us of Singapore's past as a fishing village and the legend of Sang Nila Utama, the prince of Palembang, arriving in Singapore and ruling her for 48 years. As much as I acknowledge this fact, I feel that there is much more to the Merlion than just holding a place in Singapore's past. The Merlion, because of it's unusual appearance, is seen as interesting to foreigners who want to know more about Singapore. Thus, the Merlion will be engraved in the foreigners minds as a symbol representing Singapore. Just like how when I say the country 'Australia', thoughts of Koalas and Kangaroos immediately pop into your head, the Merlion will come to the minds of foreigners when 'Singapore' is mentioned. In addition to this, although the Merlion's original design is not exactly seen as 'cute' and appealing to young children, it has been redesigned and although are not made into statues, they are made into merchandise and souvenirs, letting younger children have a memory and a deeper impression on the Merlion and Singapore as a whole. Speaking of this, the Merlion was also used as the mascot for the inaugural Youth Olympic Games that Singapore hosted in 2010. The Merlion, which was then nicknamed 'Merly', has unique looks which were ingrained in the minds of thousands of spectators, players and sports enthusiasts from all around the world, proving that it is a successful, and in my opinion the best, national icon for Singapore.

Even though I personally feel that the Merlion is the best national icon for Singapore, there are undoubtedly other possible national icons that Singapore can be proud of. One of them is the Esplanade. The Esplanade building by itself is already uniquely designed and memorable to tourists who come to Singapore as it cannot be found anywhere else in the world. It is a place where many art related performances are held and is undeniably an unforgettable place to visit. However, I still do not think that the Esplanade is as attractive and appealing to foreigners as the Merlion as it does not tell the kind of story about Singapore that the Merlion does. 

Ergo, I come to the conclusion that in my personal opinion, the Merlion is the best national icon for Singapore.

When you mention the Merlion to a tourist, what would they think of? Yes, they would think of Singapore. Why? Well, it is an iconic destination (Merlion Park) which many tourists fly over to Singapore for, just to see the Merlion because it is widely renowned all over the world.

It represents the history of Singapore and how Singapore started out as a fishing village. In the past, Singapore was actually named Singapura, which translates to lion city in English. This iconic monument was first made in 1964 by the Singapore Tourism Board. Merlion is made up of two creatures, namely the mermaid, a fictitious creature, and an animal, a lion.  The mermaid represents our roots of Singapore as a fishing village and how it evolved into the first world country that it is today.

This gets me to my point that yes, I agree that the Merlion is the best icon for Singapore. In Singapore, the Merlion is widely regarded as the national Singapore icon that tourists and Singaporeans alike have come to love.

Although there are other places of attraction and other possible points of jnterest in Singapore that could also be Singapore's icon, but I think Merlion would represent her best as it has a rich history of Singapore behind the Merlion. 

So what shold be the icobn for singapore, the Merlion? or something else?

  In my opinion, the merlion icon is indeed the most popular choice that many Singaporeans choose to be represented as the singapore icon.The name"Merlion" comes from the mixture of the singapore history and a piece of legend. Mer reps water,when the old singapore which was just a small fishing village that survives on fishing.Lion then represents the legend of Sanila Utama finding Singapore and gave Singapore name as "Lion City" . I personally thinks that the Merlion is an icon that Singaporeans will mostly appreciate.

  However,when we sees the national icon from a different point of view, you may get a different answer. Merlion is only the mostly appreciated icon by singaporeans, how about the tourists? The foreign artists? The historians? It was a truth that we have to face, not everyone appreciates the merlion icon as the singapore icon. As a national icon, it will more likely to be a international, which is actually the impression of the forienger that occupies the most "right" descision that actually make the choice of wether the Merlion will be choosen.

Also, first impression was also very important. What was the first thing that you see when u reach singapore? Obviously it is the Changi Airport that first came to our sight. For the foreigners, the airport give them a deeper impression sometimes.

  So to conclude, Merlion indeed is one of the best icons that represdent singapore, but there are other more places and stuff that can be represented as the singapore's national icon.

Do you think the Merlion would make the best national icon for Singapore?

  I believe that the Merlion would make the best national icon for Singapore. The Merlion reminds us of our roots, Singapore was initially just a mere fishing village, which represents the "mer" and also the legend of Sang Nila Utama. However, I personally think that not only it reminds us of the legend but it also shows that Singapore is a powerful country and well-respected in the world, just like how the lion is the king of the jungle. I feel that the Merlion is an icon that foreigners will be able to identify as Singapore the moment they see it. It will be able to help other countries remember Singapore as a majestic country and I think that it can also remind Singaporeans that our forefathers spent their lives building Singapore from nothing but a fishing village to one of the leading countries in the world and we should be proud of our own country and appreciate the things that we have now.

  However, some may argue that buildings like Marina Bay Sands or even Singlish should be the national icon for Singapore but not the Merlion. I would have to admit that it is true that Singapore is famous for various things and they are on par with the Merlion, having the very right to become the national icon of Singapore, but I feel that they do not remind us of to appreciate the high quality of living that we have now and also our roots, thus I think that the Merlion would make the best national icon for Singapore.

 

Besides that , places such as changi airport will remind us more of traveling more than a national icon even though that is the first impression that will be given to the tourists that will come to Singapore. I think that the things that will give the tourists a lasting impression of Singapore is probably the unique and tourist attractions in Singapore. Also, people may also think that the Merlion is only just one out of the many tourists attractions in Singapore and there is no appeal to a strange looking creature and it do not represent Singapore. However, without tourists coming in to look at the Merlion, Singapore's economy will decline and with a weakening economy, Singapore will not be where it is today . The Merlion is certainly far more important that we think of it. The fact that more than one million tourists visit the Merlion shows it's importance to Singapore.

The golden age in China was during the Tang Dynasty, with good government which encourage literature, dancing, music, scroll painting to the people. In that dynasty period, the country's technology and science were pretty advanced, with introduction of woodblock printing, clockworks and timekeeping, just to name a few. Therefore, with developments made in these areas, Tang Dynasty is the golden age period for China.

In Singapore, I think we hit our golden age a few decades ago where the economy was booming, however I think that Singapore is breaking milestones everyday and we can call the golden age of Singapore, in fact, now. Many developments have been made to Singapore ever since we became independent, we became a first world country from the third world we once was from. This is all credited to the great leadership of our first prime minister, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, and his group of people who had been assisting him. Mr. Lee brought Singapore to first world status by being a firm and strict governor which enforces unpopular rules that were necessary for what we see today. He did so much for Singapore with his high intellect and precised planning. The way Singapore is developed today is something not many countries as young as us is capable of. With a impressive skyline view, with skyscrapers all around the business district. Formula One races held in Singapore for the past few years, Marina Bay Sands as a landmark, pandas brought to our country, what more? This tells us about our development from the past where we used to be a third world country, I think we had came far from then with advancements like this.

I am deeply saddened by the demise of our founding prime minister, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew. That morning when I woke up, I saw the hashtag #RIPLKY trending on Twitter. I felt regretful at that moment, afraid of what would come for Singapore without him. But without him, I do not think a tiny red dot would be this accomplished. "Lee Kuan Yew was a legendary figure in Asia, widely respected for his strong leadership and statesmanship. During his three decades in office, he helped Singapore to transition from a developing country to one of the most developed in the world, transforming it into a thriving international business hub."what Mr. Ban Ki Moon, UN secretary-general stated summarises what I think he is and had done for Singapore as well. The week of national mourning revealed to all of us that Singapore is a united country with united people, with people serving for people at queues to enter the Parliament house to pay their last respects. And as we queue to pay our respects, the evidence of his greatness is significant as the queues stretches along the best developed part of Singapore.

   23 March 2015 is the day that I believe that all Singaporeans will remember. It is the day where Mr Lee Kuan Yew,our founding father had passed away. During the short one week, I have witnessed the unity and spirit of Singaporeans and it makes me feel very proud to be a Singaporean. Singaporeans came together to pay their last respects to Mr Lee at the Parliament House, we did what we do best at, queuing up. However, this time we queued up in an orderly fashion, some of us took the extra mile to provide drinks for those who were queuing up. Despite the long hours that we had to spent queuing, we were able to wait patiently. I strongly believe that this shows that what Mr Lee Kuan Yew had contributed to the country have impacted greatly on every single Singaporean and we are thankful for what he had done.

   Mr Lee Kuan Yew dedicated his whole life to build Singapore from a third-world to a first-world country, just like what some of the news articles say about him, to him it is just country, country, country and country. His hardwork and dedication can be seen everywhere in Singapore , be it the HDB flats that most of us live in, the clean water that can be drank directly from our taps, the education that we students receive now or even the good relationships what we have with other foreign countries and many more. I am more than grateful to him because if he were to choose another career but not politics, Singapore will be where she is today as one of the most powerful countries in the world even though we are a small little red dot who have nothing but only manpower.

   I think that to many of us, Singapore is at its golden age as one of the leading countries in the world. We have a high standard of living and lifecare,good education system and not, only we are one of the richest cities in the world, we are able to maintain a green and clean city. We excel in many areas and even though we are just a little red dot we are well respected by many other huge countries in the world. I believe that because of Mr Lee Kuan Yew and his team's hardwork, most of us have a roof above our heads, we need not worry about our safety as long as we are in Singapore neither whether we will have clothes to wear or enough clean and safe water to drink. Many people will agree that Singapore is at its prime now as 50 years ago we are just a poor country that have just declared independence and within such a short time, we made great progress in all aspects, there is peace, riots do not break out often. Development of tourism, healthcare etc. have contributed greatly to our economic and social stability. However , I think as the future generation of Singapore, we have to understand that if there is no one to keep the legacy that Mr Lee left alive, Singapore will no longer be at its “golden age”. Singapore is our responsibility and it is ours.