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Family is pillar of strength and support: Singapore PM in his Chinese New Year message

Xinhua, February 7, 2016 Adjust font size:

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong strengthens the importance of family and how the government will work towards an uncertain economic outlook in his Chinese New Year message on early Sunday.

"Chinese New Year is a special occasion. It is a time to remind ourselves of the importance of family: How it is our pillar of strength and support; how it cheers us on when we are down and rejoices with us when we achieve success; how it is always there for us," that's how he started his New Year message.

Singapore welcomes 33,800 citizen births in 2015, the highest in 13 years. Lee said he expects to see more babies in the Year of the Monkey and the government will continue to support Singaporeans in the many responsibilities and joys of parenthood.

"Besides babies, family is also about living a full life, experiencing joys and sorrows over a lifetime together with our loved ones -- from being a child, growing up, finding love, starting and bringing up a family, growing old together," Lee said so.

Last year, Singapore raised the Baby Bonus cash gift by 2,000 Singapore dollars, and the Medisave grant for newborns was increased by 1,000 to 4,000 Singapore dollars. The government is also considering to make the second week of paternity leave for male employers compulsory, so that fathers could spend more time with their family.

Talking about the future, Lee said that the economic outlook is filled with uncertainty, but the government is prepared for it.

"The world economy is slowing, and even China's economy is softening. Stock markets around the world are down. Business sentiment in Singapore is guarded. The government is watching the situation closely. We do not expect a severe downturn, like the Global Financial Crisis in 2008. "

"The government will continue to support businesses and workers as we restructure and upgrade. We must continue to strive to get on to the right path, so that we can prosper again when conditions improve, as they will," he said. Enditem