Singapore thumps chest on 30th anniversary<\/p>\n
SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore yesterday celebrated 30 years of
\nindependence with a chest-thumping display of patriotic fervor
\nand economic triumph, tinged with nagging doubts about its long-
\nterm future.<\/p>\n
The multiracial city-state of three million people was awash
\nin red and white flags as thousands thronged the central Padang
\nparade grounds to attend an evening extravaganza highlighting the
\nrepublic's rise to developed status.<\/p>\n
Air force helicopters and fighter jets, parachute teams and
\nmobile armored columns were part of the program, which included
\nperformances by schoolchildren and community representatives.<\/p>\n
A spectacular fireworks display was to top off the festivities
\nwatched by President Ong Teng Cheong, Prime Minister Goh Chok
\nTong, his cabinet colleagues and members of parliament.<\/p>\n
The capacity 16,000-strong crowd reserved the biggest applause
\nfor the arrival of Senior Minister and elder statesman Lee Kuan
\nYew, 71.<\/p>\n
The small island was a sleepy trading port populated mostly by
\nChinese, Malay and Indian migrants and their descendants when it
\nsplit from Malaysia in 1965.<\/p>\n
Thirty years later, it is a thriving regional financial and
\nindustrial hub ranked among the 10 richest nations in terms of
\nits citizens' purchasing power, awaiting graduation to the ranks
\nof developed nations next year.<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Goh outlined Singapore's economic achievements
\nand the challenges facing it in a traditional address on the eve
\nof national day<\/p>\n
The 54-year-old premier said Singapore was \"not yet truly
\ndeveloped\" and urged citizens to work harder and not slacken,
\nwarning that \"the going will get tougher.\"<\/p>\n
\"We are still behind the developed countries in education,
\ntechnology and cultural attainments,\" he said.<\/p>\n
But in 30 years since independence, one generation of
\nSingaporeans had completely transformed Singapore, and \"now we
\nhave the resources, the talent and the ability\" to make Singapore
\na more attractive society, he said.<\/p>\n
In a national day statement, Education Minister Lee Yock Suan
\ntold the country's youth: \"We value our way of life which blends
\ntraditional Asian values with a modern outlook open to change and
\nprogress.\"<\/p>\n
\"We also enjoy freedom of expression and choice,\" he said in
\nan apparent reference to outside criticism of Singapore's
\ncentralized political system.<\/p>\n
U.S. President Bill Clinton, whose country was briefly at
\nloggerheads with Singapore last year over the caning of an
\nAmerican teenager for vandalism, was among the world leaders who
\ngreeted the country.<\/p>\n
\"I look forward to further advancing our relationship in the
\ncoming year,\" said Clinton, wishing Singapore \"peace, progress
\nand prosperity.\"<\/p>\n
The Business Times newspaper said in an editorial yesterday
\nthat Singapore had achieved \"a feat that has to be celebrated\"
\nbut warned that \"no city-state in history has survived for more
\nthan a few generations.\"<\/p>\n
It added, however, that \"although history is not on its side,
\nSingapore can continue to thrive in spite of the odds -- as it
\ndid in the last 30 years. \"<\/p>",
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