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.
我们必须特别谨慎处理一个问题：我们把新加坡人的利益放在第一位的立场，不应该变质成为排斥外国人的心态。新加坡向来对外开放，而且善于顺应国际形势的变化，这为我们带来许多投资和就业机会，使新加坡成为一个朝气蓬勃的城市。我们不能自我封闭，也不应该把所有问题归咎于外国人。我们必须与世界保持联系，继续欢迎来自各地的人才和思想。唯有这样，我们才能持续繁荣昌盛，为人民建造一个更美好的家园。

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.
我们在处理各种紧迫的民生问题时，也必须关注世界的动向以及我们长远的展望。以中国和印度为首的亚洲地区预料将持续增长。不过，全球前景仍然不明朗。欧盟最近通过了拯救希腊的方案，不过欧洲债务危机的化解仍旧遥遥无期。美国经济依然萎靡不振。尽管美国总统和美国国会已经达至提高债务顶限的协议，但是还未作出增税和削减开支的艰难决定。日本在受到地震和海啸的冲击后必须进行重建，这是额外的沉重负担。这三大经济体的的人民，还在等待领导人展现克服困难的决心。这些国家无力振兴经济，影响了全球经济的展望。

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.
未来的几年，我们将面对一个变化多端、充满未知数的世界。我们必须尽力预测和应付外在形势，为新加坡寻找最有保障的发展策略。

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.
我们需要进行各种建设，为国家长远的发展做好准备。放眼未来，我们应该强调自我提升和提高生产能力，以减少对外来工人的依赖。我们要好好地培养下一代，并且为年长员工提供有效的培训。我们要建设优良的居住环境：把新加坡打造成一座花园里的城市，以及一个属于全体人民、欣欣向荣的家园。我们已经拟好了周详的计划，准备一一实现这些目标。

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.
除了拟定明确的发展计划，我们也必须调整我们治理国家的方式。我们的社会在演变。新一代新加坡人希望在谈论切身课题时，能够听到更多不同的声音，能够有更热烈的辩论。他们也争取更多参与决策的机会。我欢迎人民提出这些诉求。我吁请更多有见解，有好主意的人士挺身而出，协助政府解决问题，把事情办得更好。政府也将跟社会各界建立联系，并且将借重人民的力量，想象力和自动自发的精神。这有助于我们改善政策，也可加强人民的社会责任感和归属感。

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.
不同的意见可以增强社会的活力，但也可能分化和削弱我们的社会。我们应该扩大彼此之间的共同点，而不是刻意加大我们之间的分歧；否则，我们的社会将会四分五裂。团结才是力量，才能克服各种挑战和保持我国的竞争优势。