SINGAPORE: Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Grace Fu has spoken about what it means by keeping the Singaporean core at the heart of the country's population policies.
She made the comments on day two of the parliamentary debate on the White Paper on Population and Land Use Plan.
Ms Fu said promoting marriage and parenthood is central to maintaining a strong Singaporean core.
And allowing immigration does not mean the government takes its marriage and parenthood objectives less seriously.
But authorities are realistic about how birth rates can improve. Hence the need to supplement the population with a calibrated pace of immigrants.
On concerns over the loss of the Singaporean identity with more foreigners in the midst, Ms Fu said integration efforts are a critical complement to the immigration policy and important in strengthening the Singaporean core.
Ms Fu added that integration efforts are being stepped up.
"In our deliberations on what is the best way forward for Singapore, Singaporeans were at the heart of our considerations, and a strong Singaporean core was our objective. What does this mean?
"In my view, a strong Singaporean core is one where Singaporeans have a sense of well-being and belonging in a place where we can all call 'home'.
"Well-being comes both from the tangibles - having fulfilling jobs and a good quality living environment - as well as the intangibles - strong supportive families, values that connect us and a collective hope for a brighter future."
- CNA/ir
"Promoting marriage & parenthood" central to keeping S'porean core
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"Promoting marriage & parenthood" central to keeping S'porean core
