Singapore Marks 60 Years of Independence
AI Highlighted as Key Survival Strategy Amid Uncertainty
Focus on Job Redesign and Enhanced Worker Training
As Singapore marks its 60th year of independence, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong emphasized on the 17th that "standing still means falling behind."
According to the Hong Kong daily South China Morning Post (SCMP), Prime Minister Wong delivered his National Day Rally speech for 2025 at the headquarters of the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) on this day, stating, "We must move forward. Otherwise, we will fall behind," raising his voice on the matter.
He described Singapore as "a small, open economy that must find its own survival strategy amid global economic uncertainty, US-China competition, and the spread of protectionism," and added, "We will not remain mere bystanders in the order being shaped by the world."
To this end, he called for effectively leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to sustain economic vitality. At the same time, he announced plans to collaborate with labor unions to redesign jobs and strengthen worker retraining as Singapore adapts to AI. He also identified biomedical and green energy as new growth industries.
He also unveiled plans to develop new towns in northern Singapore, including Kranji and Sembawang. In Kranji, the site of the Singapore Turf Club, which closed in October last year, will be redeveloped into a new public housing complex with 14,000 units within the next decade.
As external risks, he pointed to US tariff policies and global trade, stressing that Singapore must use agility as its weapon as a "small but smart country." Although Singapore has been subject to a low 10% tariff rate from the United States, the government still regards this as an area of 'uncertainty' and is taking a cautious approach.
Prime Minister Wong also argued that Singapore should maintain an autonomous and independent foreign policy, resisting being drawn into taking sides amid US-China competition. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong stated at the UBS Conference in May that it is becoming increasingly difficult to remain neutral amid US-China divisions. Given Singapore's unique role as a 'bridge' among Western nations, he reiterated the principle that the country will form its positions on geopolitical issues based on its own interests, rather than siding with any one bloc.
Mustafa Izzuddin, Chief Analyst at Solaris Strategies Singapore, commented on the speech, saying, "The secret to Singapore's continued prosperity lies in the triangular structure of political stability, social harmony, and economic vitality," and added, "This was clearly reflected in Prime Minister Wong's address."
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