Mr Lee Yi Shyan at the official opening of the Fujian (Xiamen)-Singapore Friendship Polyclinic, 29 August 2011

SPEECH BY MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEE YI SHYAN ON 29 AUGUST 2011, 9.15AM AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE FUJIAN(XIAMEN)-SINGAPORE FRIENDSHIP POLYCLINIC IN FUJIAN, CHINA

The Honorable Vice-GovernorMr Hong Jie-xu,

The Honorable Mayor Mr Liu Ke-qing,

Guests and friends,

Good morning.

Today, I am happy and honored to be invited to the opening of the Fujian(Xiamen)-Singapore Friendship Polyclinic.

I have visited Fujian many times. Each time, Xiamen leaves me with a deep impression of its appearance, planning, economic development and social management. This year, Xiamen has been voted first again among the 10 most livable cities in China. This honor, together with other awards won by the city (such as City of Tourism, City of Leisure, City of Conferences, City of Water Conservation etc.) demonstrates the importance placed on the city’s development by the Xiamen Municipal Government, the Fujian Provincial Government and their people as well as the effort devoted to building a livable home for a better future. On behalf of Singaporeans living and working here, and the delegation members of this visit, I would like to congratulate Fujian and Xiamen for their achievements.

Most of my previous visits to Xiamen were mainly for the purpose of promoting economic and trade ties between Singapore and Fujian. This time my visit bears a slightly different significance. I feel honored to be given the opportunity to witness a new kind of cooperation between the people of Singapore and Fujian, which marks a new chapter in their long-standing relationship.

Speaking of the history of the peoples of Singapore and Fujian, I cannot help but mention the name of Mr Tan Kah Kee, a renowned overseas Chinese leader. When Mr Tan set up the Chinese High School in Singapore, it was the highest institution of learning for the overseas Chinese in the region. Subsequently, when he returned to China, he set up the Chip Bee School and the Xiamen University. In the field of education, both Singapore and Fujian have inherited valuable assets from Mr Tan. All the five institutions of learning set up by him, namely Singapore’s Chinese High School, Tao Nan School and Ai Tong School and Fujian’s Chip Bee School and Xiamen University, are still flourishing today with their students found in different parts of the world.

With social changes and development, both Singapore and China are sparing no effort in promoting healthcare by providing the people with highly efficient and practical medical and healthcare services. In this respect, Singapore has successfully established a set of more comprehensive medical and healthcare system after putting in years of efforts. With the cooperation of hospitals, public polyclinics and private clinics, the Singapore Government has been able to establish a high-quality and practical medical and healthcare network.

The Fujian (Xiamen)-Singapore Friendship Polyclinic, which opens today, is China’s first public primary healthcare institution modeled after Singapore’s public polyclinics in design and operations. The Singapore community in Fujian told me that they hope Singapore’s public healthcare experience would help China’s provincial and municipal governments find a more effective model for their public healthcare services. In fact, with the financial assistance given by Singapore’s Temasek Foundation, Fujian has already sent 110 medical staff from various cities to Singapore for training by Sing Health. With the opening of the Fujian(Xiamen)-Singapore Friendship Polyclinic, trained medical staff can use the polyclinic as a training can extend what they have learned in Singapore to other cities, using this polyclinic as a training ground.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all Singaporean companies and individuals involved in the funding, generous donations and design and construction of this friendship polyclinic. You have taken the initiative to contribute to Xiamen’s charitable cause and social development. I am very proud of you indeed. I hope more Singaporeans overseas would follow your example by taking the initiative to contribute to their local communities, so as to strengthen the friendship between Singaporeans and the local people. I would also like to thank the leaders and people of Fujian and Xiamen for their strong support for the polyclinic. The close ties and friendship between Singapore and Fujian have never stopped, be it in the past or today. And it will continue to grow in future.

Finally, I sincerely wish Fujian(Xiamen)-Singapore Friendship Polyclinic every success in its future development.