Opening Remarks at Thank You Reception for Chingay 2015 key leaders, major donors, partners and sponsors

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

Good afternoon.

      May I first wish everyone a Happy Chinese New Year, 新年快乐，万事如意. It is my very great pleasure to host this reception in appreciation of your contributions to the successful staging of Chingay Parade 2015. The Chingay Parade is a celebration of Singapore’s cultural diversity, rallying Singaporeans and friends of Singapore to perform in this spectacular street parade.

      Chingay started in the 1970s as part of a Lunar New Year tradition; Chingay has now become a national festival celebrated by Chinese, Malays, Indians and Eurasians alike. It is an excellent platform for all of us, fellow Singaporeans, to come together to celebrate and to strengthen values core to our nation building. This year’s Chingay is special as it is a special year for Singapore. The theme for this year’s Chingay is “We Love Singapore” and is the biggest and grandest parade presented by 11,000 local and international performers to celebrate Singapore’s Golden Jubilee. As we begin our year-long celebrations with our community, family and friends, let us reflect on what we appreciate about Singapore, and let us continue to work as one people to forge a brighter future for Singapore, for ourselves, our children and our future generations.

      I would like to thank all of you - corporate and individual sponsors, major parade participating organisations and key contributors of the “We Love SG Flowers” Campaign - for your strong support and participation in this year’s Chingay Parade.

      May I also encourage all of you to continue your strong support to the People’s Association to make our future Chingay Parades even more vibrant and meaningful for our people.

      Thank you once again for your support and I look forward to interacting with you at the lunch reception.