However, we should be especially careful of one issue. While we will always put Singa­poreans 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 Singa­poreans, 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，不應該變質成為排斥外國人的心態。新加坡向來對外開放，而且善于順應國際形勢的變化，這為我們帶來許多投資和就業機會，使新加坡成為一個朝氣蓬勃的城市。我們不能自我封閉，也不應該把所有問題歸咎于外國人。我們必須與世界保持聯系，繼續歡迎來自各地的人才和思想。唯有這樣，我們才能持續繁榮昌盛，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，也必須關注世界的動向以及我們長遠的展望。以中國和印度為首的亞洲地區預料將持續增長。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，不過歐洲債務危機的化解仍舊遙遙無期。美國經濟依然萎靡不振。盡管美國總統和美國國會已經達至提高債務頂限的協議，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行重建，這是額外的沉重負擔。這三大經濟體的的人民，還在等待領導人展現克服困難的決心。這些國家無力振興經濟，影響了全球經濟的展望。

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 Singa­pore’s chances of success.
未來的幾年，我們將面對一個變化多端、充滿未知數的世界。我們必須盡力預測和應付外在形勢，為新加坡尋找最有保障的發展策略。

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.
我們需要進行各種建設，為國家長遠的發展做好準備。放眼未來，我們應該強調自我提升和提高生產能力，以減少對外來工人的依賴。我們要好好地培養下一代，并且為年長員工提供有效的培訓。我們要建設優良的居住環境：把新加坡打造成一座花園里的城市，以及一個屬于全體人民、欣欣向榮的家園。我們已經擬好了周詳的計劃，準備一一實現這些目標。

Beyond these specific policies, the way we manage our affairs must change. Our society is changing. A new generation of Singapo­reans 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 Singa­poreans with ideas and plans to come forward, and help us get more things done in better ways. The Govern­ment 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.
除了擬定明確的發展計劃，我們也必須調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論切身課題時，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系，并且將借重人民的力量，想象力和自動自發的精神。這有助于我們改善政策，也可加強人民的社會責任感和歸屬感。

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社會的活力，但也可能分化和削弱我們的社會。我們應該擴大彼此之間的共同點，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。團結才是力量，才能克服各種挑戰和保持我國的競爭優勢。