Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong speaks on 'The Economy'

Dawn Tan (CNA): PM, let us talk about the economy.

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PM Lee Hsien Loong: Yes.

CNA: So, managing the competing demands of continuing our economic growth.

PM Lee: Yes.

CNA: These political considerations vis-à-vis foreign talent and the fact that there are constant anxieties among some Singaporeans about this are also important here in Singapore. The government has to reassure Singaporeans about this. How have you approached this in a way that supports your principles?

PM Lee: We must do our best to generate political space to feel our way forward and go as far as politically can be supported. Let me explain what I mean. People’s concerns about foreigners, dilution, values, and social impact are not unreasonable. Because we are a society, we are a country; it is not just a city. London, you have the whole of Great Britain. So, London, you do not have to mobilize an army and go and fight. There is a whole population outside of London, and London is cosmopolitan and diverse; it can have a majority of foreigners, but it is still the capital of Great Britain.