Nurturing younger leaders will help clans promote Chinese culture: PM

Strengthening bonds between communities a key priority, he says

- Chin Soo Fang Senior Correspondent

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong posing for a wefie with guests at the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations’ 40th anniversary gala dinner on Oct 13. As part of efforts to nurture future clan leaders, enrolment for the Chinese Community Leadership Course will start in December.

(ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM)

Clan associations should create more opportunities for the younger generation to learn and gain experience that will set them up for leadership roles in the future.

This will be a key priority for the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations (SFCCA) and the clans to be able to continue strengthening bonds between communities, and promoting Chinese culture and values, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Oct 13.

Doing so will allow generations of Singaporeans to continue putting down their roots here and will strengthen the Singaporean identity, he said in Mandarin.

As part of efforts to nurture future clan leaders, enrolment for the Chinese Community Leadership Course will start in December, said PM Wong.

A task force, led by SFCCA secretary-general Ng Siew Quan, is in the midst of designing the curriculum.

The leadership course was announced by PM Wong at the 2025 National Day Rally to foster the future leadership of the Chinese community. Around 100 participants in their 30s and 40s are expected to benefit from the course over five years.

SFCCA is a key bridge in Singapore’s multicultural and multiracial society, said PM Wong, who is also Finance Minister and patron of SFCCA.

He was speaking at SFCCA’s 40th anniversary gala dinner at the Raffles City Convention Centre. SFCCA, which has more than 250 member associations, is the apex body of Chinese clan associations in Singapore.