Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's National Day Message
新加坡總理李顯龍2011年國慶獻(xiàn)詞
The Singapore economy is consolidating its recovery from the 2008 global economic crisis. GDP grew 4.9% in the first half of 2011, while unemployment remains low at 2.1%. Despite some risks on the horizon, we project steady growth of 5-6% for 2011.
親愛的同胞,我國自從擺脫了2008年的全球經(jīng)濟(jì)危機(jī),經(jīng)濟(jì)已恢復(fù)穩(wěn)健的增長。今年上半年GDP增長了百分之4.9,失業(yè)率也維持在百分之2.1的低水平。盡管前景存有一些風(fēng)險(xiǎn),我們今年預(yù)計(jì)能取得百分之5到百分之6的增長率。
Our last five years were marked by uncertainty and rapid change. We enjoyed several very good years when our economy boomed, and wages went up. But we also experienced some very worrying moments, especially during the global economic crisis.
過去五年,我們的大環(huán)境起落不定,變化快速。我們經(jīng)歷了幾個好年頭,經(jīng)濟(jì)取得可觀增長,員工薪金也有上漲。但是我們也曾經(jīng)歷困難時(shí)刻,尤其在全球經(jīng)濟(jì)陷入危機(jī)的時(shí)候。
Amidst such unprecedented turbulence, the Government did its utmost to protect Singaporeans from the global crisis. We introduced the Jobs Credit to keep firms viable and save jobs. We formed the Economic Strategies Committee to identify long-term opportunities and map out a pathway for the future.
我們在應(yīng)付那場前所未見的經(jīng)濟(jì)風(fēng)暴時(shí),政府盡全力保護(hù)國人免受沖擊。我們推出了雇用補(bǔ)貼計(jì)劃,協(xié)助公司維持運(yùn)作和保住工作。我們成立了經(jīng)濟(jì)戰(zhàn)略委員會,尋找長遠(yuǎn)的發(fā)展機(jī)會,以及規(guī)劃未來的發(fā)展道路。
This year, with the cost of living rising, we launched the Grow & Share package to help households cope. We continue to retrain workers to become more employable, and to support needy families through many assistance programmes.
自今年年初以來,我們的生活費(fèi)上漲得快,政府因此推出“增長共享”計(jì)劃,幫助新加坡家庭減輕生活負(fù)擔(dān)。我們也繼續(xù)重新培訓(xùn)員工,以提高他們的受雇能力。我們還實(shí)施了多項(xiàng)援助貧困家庭的措施。
Overall, Govern-ment policies have worked. Our strong reserves saved up over many years gave us the confidence and the means to move decisively with our Resilience Package. Our growth strategies of upgrading education and skills, and breaking into higher-value sectors have created good new jobs for Singaporeans. Compared to five years ago, most households have seen incomes rise.
總的來說,政府的政策已經(jīng)奏效。我們向來知道未雨綢繆的重要,積累了相當(dāng)可觀的儲備金,因此能夠果斷地推出一項(xiàng)振興計(jì)劃。我們積極提升國人的教育和技能水平,也進(jìn)軍更高增值的經(jīng)濟(jì)領(lǐng)域來推動經(jīng)濟(jì)的增長,為國人創(chuàng)造新的和良好的就業(yè)機(jī)會,并且在過去五年逐漸為多數(shù)家庭帶來更高的收入。
But despite our best efforts, we could not shield Singaporeans fully from external shocks. In a rapidly changing situation, the Government had to address the most urgent problems first – stabilising the economy, saving jobs, helping those who were displaced by the crisis.
然而,雖然政府盡力為人民遮風(fēng)擋雨,但還是無法完全抵擋外界風(fēng)雨所帶來的沖擊。在關(guān)鍵時(shí)刻,政府的當(dāng)務(wù)之急是穩(wěn)定經(jīng)濟(jì)、保住工作以及協(xié)助失去工作的工友。
Some Government policies did not keep pace, but we have been tackling the problems. We are building more HDB flats, to reduce waiting times and keep prices affordable. We are adding MRT lines and buses, to improve public transport service standards. We are moderating the inflow of foreign workers and immigrants, and making it clearer that Singaporeans come first. We are reviewing our social safety nets to better support Singaporeans in a more volatile environment. The results will not arrive overnight, but we should see improvements over the next few years.
一些政策沒跟上急速演變的局勢,但我們已經(jīng)著手處理這些問題了。我們正在建造更多的政府組屋,以縮短購屋等候時(shí)間和維持合宜的價(jià)格水平。我們將增添地鐵線和巴士,以改善公共交通的服務(wù)水平。我們放慢了引進(jìn)外國勞工和移民的速度,也更明確地讓新加坡公民享有優(yōu)先待遇。我們的大環(huán)境越來越不穩(wěn)定,為了確保人民得到應(yīng)有的幫助,我們正在檢討社會安全網(wǎng)。這不是立竿見影的改變,我們在幾年內(nèi)應(yīng)能看到成績。
However, we should be especially careful of one issue. While we will always put Singa-poreans first, let us not turn negative on foreigners. Singapore has prospered because we have been open to the world and alive to economic competition and change. This is how we have attracted investments, created jobs for Singa-poreans, and made ourselves a vibrant city. We cannot afford to close in on ourselves, or attribute all our problems to foreigners. We must stay connected to the world, and continue to welcome talent and ideas, wherever they may come from. Only then can we continue to thrive, and build a better Singapore for all.
我們必須特別謹(jǐn)慎處理一個問題:我們把新加坡人的利益放在第一位的立場,不應(yīng)該變質(zhì)成為排斥外國人的心態(tài)。新加坡向來對外開放,而且善于順應(yīng)國際形勢的變化,這為我們帶來許多投資和就業(yè)機(jī)會,使新加坡成為一個朝氣蓬勃的城市。我們不能自我封閉,也不應(yīng)該把所有問題歸咎于外國人。我們必須與世界保持聯(lián)系,繼續(xù)歡迎來自各地的人才和思想。唯有這樣,我們才能持續(xù)繁榮昌盛,為人民建造一個更美好的家園。
While addressing pressing concerns at home, we must remain attentive to global trends, and take a longer term view of our future. Asia, led by China and India, is expected to continue growing, but the global outlook remains uncertain. Europe's debt problems are far from solved, despite the recent bailout of Greece by the EU. The US economy remains sluggish. The US President and Congress have agreed to raise the debt ceiling, but have put off difficult decisions to raise taxes and cut spending. Japan has the added burden of earthquake and tsunami recovery. These three key economies are struggling to find the decisive leadership required to resolve their domestic challenges. This will weigh them down and dampen global prospects.
我們在處理各種緊迫的民生問題時(shí),也必須關(guān)注世界的動向以及我們長遠(yuǎn)的展望。以中國和印度為首的亞洲地區(qū)預(yù)料將持續(xù)增長。不過,全球前景仍然不明朗。歐盟最近通過了拯救希臘的方案,不過歐洲債務(wù)危機(jī)的化解仍舊遙遙無期。美國經(jīng)濟(jì)依然萎靡不振。盡管美國總統(tǒng)和美國國會已經(jīng)達(dá)至提高債務(wù)頂限的協(xié)議,但是還未作出增稅和削減開支的艱難決定。日本在受到地震和海嘯的沖擊后必須進(jìn)行重建,這是額外的沉重負(fù)擔(dān)。這三大經(jīng)濟(jì)體的的人民,還在等待領(lǐng)導(dǎo)人展現(xiàn)克服困難的決心。這些國家無力振興經(jīng)濟(jì),影響了全球經(jīng)濟(jì)的展望。
The next few years will bring more rapid changes and surprises. We must anticipate and respond to these external events as best as we can, and steer a course that maximises Singa-pore's chances of success.
未來的幾年,我們將面對一個變化多端、充滿未知數(shù)的世界。我們必須盡力預(yù)測和應(yīng)付外在形勢,為新加坡尋找最有保障的發(fā)展策略。
We need to keep building for the longer term. We will grow our economy by upgrading ourselves and raising productivity, reducing the need to import so many foreign workers. We will educate our young well, and retrain our older workers effectively. And we will create an outstanding living environment for ourselves: a City in a Garden, and a vibrant, thriving home for all Singaporeans. We have comprehensive plans to achieve these goals.
我們需要進(jìn)行各種建設(shè),為國家長遠(yuǎn)的發(fā)展做好準(zhǔn)備。放眼未來,我們應(yīng)該強(qiáng)調(diào)自我提升和提高生產(chǎn)能力,以減少對外來工人的依賴。我們要好好地培養(yǎng)下一代,并且為年長員工提供有效的培訓(xùn)。我們要建設(shè)優(yōu)良的居住環(huán)境:把新加坡打造成一座花園城市,以及一個屬于全體人民、欣欣向榮的家園。我們已經(jīng)擬好了周詳?shù)挠?jì)劃,準(zhǔn)備一一實(shí)現(xiàn)這些目標(biāo)。
Beyond these specific policies, the way we manage our affairs must change. Our society is changing. A new generation of Singapo-reans want more alternative voices, and more debate on issues affecting them. They seek to play a bigger part in co-creating solutions. I welcome this. I invite Singa-poreans with ideas and plans to come forward, and help us get more things done in better ways. The Govern-ment will reach out to all segments of society, to tap your imagination, energy and initiative. This will not only improve policies and results; it will also strengthen our sense of commitment and belonging to this place we call home.
除了擬定明確的發(fā)展計(jì)劃,我們也必須調(diào)整我們治理國家的方式。我們的社會在演變。新一代新加坡人希望在談?wù)撉猩碚n題時(shí),能夠聽到更多不同的聲音,能夠有更熱烈的辯論。他們也爭取更多參與決策的機(jī)會。我歡迎人民提出這些訴求。我吁請更多有見解,有好主意的人士挺身而出,協(xié)助政府解決問題,把事情辦得更好。政府也將跟社會各界建立聯(lián)系,并且將借重人民的力量,想象力和自動自發(fā)的精神。這有助于我們改善政策,也可加強(qiáng)人民的社會責(zé)任感和歸屬感。
More diverse views can produce a more vibrant society, but they may also split and weaken us. We need to enlarge our common space, not magnify our differences and become a house divided. By staying united we can respond effectively to major challenges, and continue to outperform other countries.
不同的意見可以增強(qiáng)社會的活力,但也可能分化和削弱我們的社會。我們應(yīng)該擴(kuò)大彼此之間的共同點(diǎn),而不是刻意加大我們之間的分歧;否則,我們的社會將會四分五裂。團(tuán)結(jié)才是力量,才能克服各種挑戰(zhàn)和保持我國的競爭優(yōu)勢。
In particular, younger Singaporeans have a major part to play. You are our future. You belong to the age of the Internet and social media. You have different experiences, perspectives, and aspirations from your elders. And you will inherit the country that earlier generations have painstakingly built.
在很大程度上,年輕一代的態(tài)度將決定新加坡社會的演變。你們是國家的未來和希望。你們生長在網(wǎng)絡(luò)和新媒體時(shí)代;你們的經(jīng)歷、見解或志向有別于年長一輩。今天的新加坡,是幾代先輩辛苦建立起來的國家。在不久的將來,你們將肩負(fù)起帶領(lǐng)國家前進(jìn)的重任。
We will do our utmost to help you succeed. Your idealism, passion and commitment will make all the difference. You will have many opportunities to seek your own dreams and fulfil your promise. I am happy that many young Singa-poreans also feel a calling to serve a shared, higher purpose: volunteering for humanitarian relief missions, taking up green causes, and caring for the aged and less fortunate. This Singapore spirit will hold us together as one people.
我們將竭盡所能幫助你們建立成功的人生。你們的理想,熱情和信念,將對社會的未來發(fā)揮關(guān)鍵的影響。你們會有很多追逐夢想和實(shí)現(xiàn)理想的機(jī)會。我知道很多年輕國人關(guān)懷社會,愿意為社會大眾服務(wù)和維護(hù)公共的利益,這令我感到欣慰。你們自愿參與人道組織的救援任務(wù),為環(huán)保的工作盡心盡力,也向老年人和社會里的不幸人士伸出援手。這是新加坡精神的體現(xiàn),有助于我們團(tuán)結(jié)起來,達(dá)到萬眾一心。
Many years ago, our forefathers pulled together and worked hard to build this nation. Their common goal was to survive, and show the world that we could make it on our own. That powerful drive united and motivated a whole generation of Singaporeans.
多年以前,我們的先輩齊心協(xié)力,不畏艱難,建立了這個國家。他們的共同目標(biāo)是讓新加坡立足于世界,向世人證明我們可以靠自己的力量創(chuàng)出一片天地。他們的毅力團(tuán)結(jié)和激勵了一個時(shí)代的新加坡人。
We are now at a new defining moment in our history. In a globalised world, we can stay competitive by raising our education levels and productivity. We can pull ahead by enlarging our talent pool and remaining an open, vibrant society. Most importantly, we can surmount the never-ending challenges of nation building by looking out for one another and working hand-in-hand to improve all our lives.
現(xiàn)在,我們又到了一個歷史的分水嶺。在這個全球化的世界里,如果我們能夠提高教育水平和生產(chǎn)力,就能保持競爭力;如果我們能夠逐步擴(kuò)大人才資源,保持社會的開放與活力,我們就能保持領(lǐng)先的地位;最重要的是,新加坡人如果能夠互相扶持,同舟共濟(jì),便能克服建國過程中的種種挑戰(zhàn)。
This island is our shared home. Together, we have achieved much in the 46 years since Independence. Let us continue to work together to create a brighter future and a better home for all of us.
這個島國是我們共同的家園。自獨(dú)立以來的這46年,我們一起取得了豐碩的成就。讓我們繼續(xù)齊心協(xié)力,為全體人民創(chuàng)造一個更光明的前程和更美好的家園。
I wish all Singaporeans a Happy National Day.
讓我們祝愿全體新加坡人:國慶日快樂!
相關(guān)閱讀
(來源:普特英語 編輯:崔旭燕)