View source for Chinese Singaporeans

{{Short description|Ethnic group}}
{{About|[[Singaporean]] [[Demographics of Singapore|residents]] of Chinese descent or ethnicity|people with [[Chinese nationality law|Chinese nationality]] residing in Singapore|Chinese nationals in Singapore}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Use Singapore English|date=April 2016}}
{{Infobox ethnic group
| group            = Chinese Singaporeans
| native_name      = {{lang|zh-hant|新加坡華人}}/{{lang|zh-hans|新加坡华人 Xīnjiāpō Huárén}}<br/>{{lang|zh-hans|華裔新加坡人}}/{{lang|zh-hans|华裔新加坡人 Huáyì Xīnjiapōrén}}
| image            = [[File:Chess at Chinatown, Singapore.jpg|300px]]
| caption          = Singaporean Chinese playing [[Xiangqi|Chinese chess]] (''Xiangqi'') in [[Chinatown, Singapore]].
| population       = '''Chinese as per [[National Registration Identity Card]]'''<br/>'''2,675,521'''<br />75.9% of the Singapore resident{{efn|In Singapore, the term "resident" refers to both [[Singaporean nationality law|citizens]] and [[Permanent residency in Singapore|permanent residents]] (PRs).}} population (2020)<ref name="census2020">{{cite web |title=Census 2020 |url=https://www.singstat.gov.sg/-/media/files/publications/cop2020/sr1/cop2020sr1.pdf |website=Singapore Department of Statistics |access-date=16 June 2021}}</ref>
| popplace         = [[Singapore]]
| region1          = 
| pop1             = 
| ref1             = 
| langs            = {{hlist|[[Singapore English|English]]|[[Singlish]]|[[Singaporean Mandarin|Mandarin]]|[[Singaporean Hokkien|Hokkien]]|[[Cantonese]]|[[Teochew dialect|Teochew]]|[[Hakka Chinese|Hakka]]|[[Hainanese]]|[[Fuzhou dialect|Hockchew]]|[[Puxian Min|Henghua]]|[[Malay language|Malay]]{{efn|Generally the older generations, those of [[Malaysian Chinese]] descent and [[Peranakans]].}}}}
| rels             = {{hlist|[[Atheist]]|[[Buddhism]]|[[Islam]]|[[Christianity]]|[[Hinduism]]|[[Taoism]]}}
| related          = {{hlist|[[Peranakans]]|[[Chinese Malaysians]]|[[Chinese Indonesians]]|[[Chinese Filipinos]]|[[Thai Chinese]]}}
}}

{{Ethnic Singapore sidebar}}
'''Singaporean Chinese''' or '''Chinese Singaporeans''' ({{zh|s=新加坡华人/华裔新加坡人|t=新加坡華人/華裔新加坡人|p=Xīnjiāpō Huárén / Huáyì Xīnjiāpōrén|first=t}}) are [[Singaporeans]] of [[Han Chinese|Han]] ancestry. As of the 2020 census, they constitute 75.9% of the resident population, making them the largest [[ethnic group]] in [[Singapore]]. In Singapore, "Chinese" is an umbrella term defined in both [[geographical]] and [[Ethnicity|ethnic]]-[[Culture|cultural]] contexts as pertaining to [[Greater China]] and bears no necessary relation to the contemporary [[People's Republic of China]], whose citizens are classified [[Chinese nationals in Singapore|separately]] when in Singapore. As a result, some Singaporeans of Han ancestry would simply just consider themselves "Singaporean", viewing themselves as distinct from the "China Chinese" in terms of culture, identity and social reality.<ref name="SGCN">{{cite web |last1=Lim |first1=Kimberly |title=Don't call us 'Chinese': Singapore TikTok video sparks debate over roots |url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3262153/im-singaporean-not-chinese-tiktok-video-sparks-debate-over-shunning-roots |website=scmp.com |publisher=[[South China Morning Post]] |access-date=18 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250729145220/https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3262153/im-singaporean-not-chinese-tiktok-video-sparks-debate-over-shunning-roots |archive-date=29 July 2025 |date=10 May 2024}}</ref>

Evidence of [[Chinese people]] trading with and settling among local populations in Singapore dates as early as the 10th century.<ref name="SingaporeSongDynasty"/><ref name="earlyChineseSingaporeans"/><ref name="wangDayuanSG"/> Prior to the establishment of Singapore as a [[British colony|British trading port]], the island was home to a small community of around 120 [[Malays (ethnic group)|Malays]] and 20 to 30 Chinese, mostly traders.<ref name="popofSG3rd"/> The colonial period saw a substantial influx of male Chinese migrants, who often returned to their families in China after earning sufficient income. Over time, more ethnic Chinese arrived in Singapore such as the [[samsui women]] and other economic migrants. This led to a more balanced [[sex ratio|gender ratio]] and a diversified [[demographic profile|age distribution]], which formed the bulk of the Singaporean Chinese population known today.<ref name="warren"/>

The Chinese community in Singapore is internally diverse, with the majority descending from [[Hokkien people|Hokkien]] ancestry, while significant minorities include [[Cantonese people|Cantonese]], [[Hakka people|Hakka]], [[Teochew people|Teochew]] and [[Hainanese]] groups.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Hue |first1=Guan Thye |last2=Liu |first2=Yilin |last3=Choo |first3=Juhn Khai Klan |last4=Dean |first4=Kenneth |display-authors=3 |date=2022 |title=The Development and Changes of Singapore Chinese Society in 19–20th Century—An Analysis from the Perspective of Dialect Group Cemetery Hills |journal=Histories |volume=2 |issue=3 |pages=288–314 |doi=10.3390/histories2030022 |doi-access=free }}</ref> Over the centuries, the community has maintained distinct linguistic, cultural and social practices to [[Culture of the People's Republic of China|mainland Chinese]] culture alongside influences from the [[Malay Singaporeans|Malay]] and [[Indian Singaporeans|Indian]] communities, while also contributing significantly to Singapore's broader [[Culture of Singapore|cultural landscape]] and social development.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Tham |first1=Davina |title=NDR 2025: Chinese community has contributed significantly to strong Singaporean identity, says PM Wong |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/ndr-2025-chinese-community-identity-clan-association-lawrence-wong-5298756 |website=CNA |access-date=18 August 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250818053150/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/ndr-2025-chinese-community-identity-clan-association-lawrence-wong-5298756 |archive-date=18 August 2025}}</ref>

==Definition of Chinese Singaporeans==
{{main|Race in Singapore}}

The [[Organisation of the Government of Singapore#Departments/Divisions 10|Singapore Department of Statistics]] broadly defines "Chinese" as a "[[Race (classification of human beings)|race]]" or "[[ethnic group]]", in conjunction with "Malay, Indian and Others" under the [[Race in Singapore|CMIO model]].<ref>{{cite book|first=Reddy|last=G.|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/282606045|title=Race Rules in Singapore, Singapore: State and Society|date=2015|access-date=18 August 2020}}</ref> They consist of "persons of Chinese origin" such as the Hokkiens, Teochews, Hainanese, Cantonese, Hakka, [[Putian people|Henghuas]], [[Fuzhou people|Hokchias/Foochows]], [[Shanghainese people|Shanghainese]] and Northern Chinese, etc."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.singstat.gov.sg/docs/default-source/default-document-library/publications/publications_and_papers/cop2010/census_2010_release1/cop2010sr1.pdf|title=Census of Population 2010 Statistical Release 1: Demographic Characteristics, Education, Language and Religion|year=2000|publisher=Department of Statistics, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Republic of Singapore|page=185|access-date=1 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005201416/https://www.singstat.gov.sg/docs/default-source/default-document-library/publications/publications_and_papers/cop2010/census_2010_release1/cop2010sr1.pdf|archive-date=5 October 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> 

In Singapore, the Chinese population can be defined by nationality and residency status. Most ethnic Chinese are Singaporeans or [[Permanent residency in Singapore|permanent residents]], commonly referred to as "Chinese Singaporeans" or the local "Chinese community in Singapore." They range from second to fifth generation descendants of migrants from [[Greater China]], many of whom retain minimal or negligible connections to the region and consider its contemporary nations as foreign. Foreign citizens of the [[People's Republic of China]] are officially referred to as "Chinese nationals" or informally as "China Chinese" or "PRC", the abbreviation of the country.<ref>In his 2006 National Day Rally, Singapore's Prime Minister said "A Chinese Chinese is different from a Singapore Chinese. An Indian Indian is different from a Singapore Indian. In fact, when I met Mr. Koizumi last year and I told him, you know, we are bringing in Chinese Chinese, Indian Indians, he looked at me, he said, "Chinese Chinese?" I had to explain, "Ya, indeed, they come from China. Singapore Chinese come from Singapore. We are different." {{cite web|url=http://www.singaporeangle.com/2006/08/transcript-of-pms-rally-speech-in.html|title=Transcript of PM's Rally Speech in English: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's NDR 2006 (English speech): Singapore--Our Future, Our Home|publisher=singaporeangle.com|date=21 August 2006|access-date=6 April 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726093934/http://www.singaporeangle.com/2006/08/transcript-of-pms-rally-speech-in.html|archive-date=26 July 2011|df=dmy-all }}</ref> Chinese foreigners may be further distinguished in terms of residency status.

==History==
===Before 1819===
As early as the 10th century, there was evidence of [[Chinese people]] trading and settling in Singapore<ref name="SingaporeSongDynasty" /><ref name="earlyChineseSingaporeans" /> and there were also various Chinese records documenting trading activities and Chinese residents on the island from the 10th to the 14th century.<ref name="wangDayuanSG" /> Prior to the establishment of Singapore as a [[British colony|British trading port]], there was a small population of 120 Malays who were the followers of Temenggong Abdul Rahman, and about 20–30 Chinese living on the island.<ref name="popofSG3rd" /> After Singapore became a British colony, there was an influx of Chinese migrant workers, but these early Chinese migrants to Singapore were predominantly males, as they would usually return to their families in China after they have earned enough. There was only a significant number of Chinese residents permanently settling in Singapore during the early to mid twentieth century, forming the bulk of the Singaporean Chinese population today.<ref name="warren" />

The early records of Singapore in [[Imperial Chinese#Imperial China|Imperial Chinese]] sources named Singapore as "[[Long Ya Men]]" (龍牙門), "[[Temasek|Dan Ma Xi]]" (單馬錫 or 淡馬錫). Later other terms such as "Xi La" (息辣), "Shi le" (石叻), or  "Xi Li" (息力, for "selat" meaning strait) may also refer to Singapore or the surrounding areas.<ref>{{Cite web|title=有关"新加坡"地名的考证 一口气读完新加坡（连载1）|url=http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_51d52c870100nawn.html|url-status=live|website=blog.sina.com.cn|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929063453/http://blog.sina.com.cn:80/s/blog_51d52c870100nawn.html |archive-date=29 September 2012 }}</ref>

Archaeological excavations of artefacts such as Chinese coins or ceramics in Singapore, which dated back to the period of the reign of [[Emperor Zhenzong of Song]] (998–1022) and [[Emperor Renzong of Song]] (1023–1063), indicated that Chinese merchants or traders had already visited Singapore by the [[Song dynasty]].<ref name="SingaporeSongDynasty">{{cite web|title=新加坡华语戏曲的发端|url=http://lunwen.5151doc.com/Article/HTML/212003.html|access-date=11 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707064859/http://lunwen.5151doc.com/Article/HTML/212003.html|archive-date=7 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Chinese record ''Annals of various foreign states''  (''[[Zhu fan zhi]]'') written by [[Zhao Rugua|Zhao Rushi]] in 1225 clearly described Chinese merchant ships arriving in Singapore from [[Quanzhou]] and various Chinese trading activities.<ref>{{cite web|title="狮城"新加坡地名文化(Singapore local geographical culture)|author=周定国 (Zhou Dingguo)|url=http://www.zgchb.com.cn/article/2008/1231/article_12172.html|access-date=10 November 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100318045319/http://www.zgchb.com.cn/article/2008/1231/article_12172.html|archive-date=18 March 2010}}</ref> In this annal, the chapter [[Sanfoqi|San Fo Qi]] (三佛齊 the Chinese name for [[Srivijaya]]) recorded merchant ships passing through "Ling Ya Men" (凌牙門, although it is not clear however if it is the same as [[Long Ya Men]]) before reaching [[Srivijaya]] for trading.<ref name=chau>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/stream/cu31924023289345#page/n75/mode/2up |author= Chau Ju-Kua, Friedrich Hirth and W. W. Rockhill|title=Chau ju-kua: his work on the Chinese and Arab trade in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries : entitled Chu-fan-chi |others= translated from the Chinese and annotated by Friedrich Hirth and W. W. Rockhill |pages=60–62 |location= St Petersburg|publisher= Imperial Academy of Sciences |date= 1911}}</ref>

The Chinese traveller [[Wang Dayuan]], visiting the island around 1330, described a small Malay settlement called [[Temasek|Dan Ma Xi]] (淡馬錫, from Malay Temasek) in which Chinese residents live together with the Malays.<ref name="wangDayuanSG">{{cite book|author=Paul Wheatley|author-link=w:Paul Wheatley (geographer)|title=The Golden Khersonese: Studies in the Historical Geography of the Malay Peninsula before A.D. 1500|location=Kuala Lumpur|publisher=[[w:University of Malaya|University of Malaya Press]]|year=1961|oclc=504030596|pages= 82–83}}</ref>

Following the decline of [[Srivijayan]] power, Temasek was alternately claimed by the Majapahit and the Siamese, but the invasion of 1377 and 1391 caused Singapore to be destroyed. Following that, there were little Chinese records of the visiting of Chinese to Singapore. Singapore is marked as Dan Ma Xi in the [[Mao Kun map]] that dates back to the naval voyage of Chinese explorer [[Zheng He]] in 1403.<ref>{{cite book|author=Paul Wheatley|author-link=w:Paul Wheatley (geographer)|title=The Golden Khersonese: Studies in the Historical Geography of the Malay Peninsula before A.D. 1500|location=Kuala Lumpur|publisher=[[w:University of Malaya|University of Malaya Press]]|year=1961|oclc=504030596|pages= 93–98}}</ref> The earliest groups of Chinese who settled in what is today Singapore were the [[Peranakan Chinese]] from Malacca and [[Riau]] who were descendants of those who immigrated to the region and married local wives between the 15th to 18th centuries.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Baker |first=Jim |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iRaJAAAAQBAJ |title=Crossroads (2nd Edn): A Popular History of Malaysia and Singapore |publisher=Marshall Cavendish International Asia Pte Ltd |year=2008 |isbn=978-981-4435-48-2 |page=94}}</ref>

The 19th century Chinese record'' Investigation of Southern Pacific'' (南洋蠡測) (Nanyang Li Ce) described the presence of Chinese tombs in Singapore (known as "Xin Ji Li Po" (新忌利波 in Chinese). On the Chinese tomb, there were words and inscriptions recording the period of [[Later Liang (Five Dynasties)|Later Liang]] and [[Emperor Gong of Song]]. This may suggest that from 907 to 1274, some Chinese had settled, lived, died and were buried in Singapore.<ref name="earlyChineseSingaporeans">{{cite web |url=http://libapps2.nus.edu.sg/sea_chinese/documents/education/book-journal/wan%20qing%20shi%20liao%20bi%20ji/wan%20qing%20shi%20liao%2018_nan%20yang%20li%20ce.pdf |title=《南洋蠡测》 / 颜斯综著 |work=NUS }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kkJW86YlRckC&pg=PR8 |title= 新加坡古事記|author= 饒宗頤 |year= 1994|page=viii |publisher= Chinese University Press |isbn=9789622014497}}</ref>

===1819–1937===
[[File:Junction of Smith Street and Trengganu Street 2, Dec 05.JPG|thumb|left|[[Chinatown, Singapore]] was an [[enclave]] for the early Chinese immigrants in Singapore in the 19th and early 20th centuries.]]

The writings of Stamford Raffles and William Farquhar indicate that the British found Temenggong Abdul Rahman with 400 to 500 residents in Singapore in January 1819. Another member of the 1819 expedition party, Captain John Crawford, recalled in his diary an encounter with “upwards of 100” of Chinese. British colonial documentations revealed that Temenggong Abdul Rahman had provided these Chinese who were Teochews the cost and expenses of opening gambier plantations at Mount Stamford (now Pearl's Hill) prior to British arrival. He had also “in some instances” advanced money to the Teochew cultivators on the understanding he would be repaid in the form of gambier or other produce. Farquhar had the impressions that the Temenggong's interests in these plantations were represented by a brother-in-law of his named Baba Ketchil and the first Captain China of Singapore, a Teochew merchant named Tan Heng Kim (陈亨钦), was “one of the principal persons concerned”. Based on Teochew oral traditions in Singapore published by Phua Chye Long (潘醒农) in ''Teo-chews in Malaya'' (马来亚潮侨通鉴) in 1950, the first Teochews in Singapore were led by Tan Heng Kim, who was from Siam, and a second merchant named Heng Hong Sung (王丰顺) from Ampou town in Chaozhou, China. Together, they founded the [[Wak Hai Cheng Bio|Yueh Hai Ching Temple]] on the south bank of the Singapore River.<ref>{{cite book |last=Heng|first=Jason|date=2018 |editor-last=Singapore |editor-first=National Library Board |title=Chapters on Asia: selected papers from the Lee Kong Chian Research Fellowship (2014–2016) |publisher=National Library Board, Singapore. |pages=191–231 |chapter=Chapter 7: An Old Teochew Oral Account Sheds New Light on the 1819 Founding of Singapore |isbn=9789811163456}}</ref>  

From the founding of modern Singapore by [[Stamford Raffles]] until the Japanese occupation in 1942, Singapore was ruled as a colony by the British.  When the British first arrived in Singapore, most of the inhabitants on the island of Singapore were fisherman, seamen or pirates, living in small houses. There were about 150 people; a majority of 120 Malay and 30 minority Chinese.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Newbold|first=Thomas John|url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/printheritage/detail/8123f6c8-67a1-48c6-97a6-3357c3bc5966.aspx|title=Political and statistical account of the British settlements in the Straits of Malacca, viz, Pinang, Malacca and Singapore: with a state with a history of the Malayan states on the Peninsula of Malacca.|publisher=J. Murray|year=1839|location=London|pages=279|author-link=Thomas John Newbold|access-date=6 May 2020|via=[[National Library Board]]}}</ref>

When Singapore became a [[Straits Settlement]], there were very few Chinese, however, after Singapore became a trading post the first batch of Chinese came from Malaysia, predominantly from [[Malacca]] and [[Penang]].  Amongst these Chinese from [[Malacca]] and [[Penang]], many were Peranakans or descendants of Chinese in Malaysia for several generations. Most were traders who could speak Chinese and Malay, though many were also English-educated and could communicate with the British. In the'' Manners and customs of the Chinese of the Straits Settlements, Singapore'', it was described that the Straits-born Chinese regarded themselves as British subjects instead of Chinese subjects; their lifestyle was more westernised.<ref>{{cite web|author=Vaughan, Jonas Daniel|url=http://sgebooks.nl.sg/opendoc.aspx?doc=shc/nlbhb/020000022.pdf|title=The manners and customs of the Chinese of the Straits Settlements|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110827024244/http://sgebooks.nl.sg/opendoc.aspx?doc=shc%2Fnlbhb%2F020000022.pdf |archive-date=27 August 2011|location=Singapore|publisher=Mission Press|date=1879|pages=4–5}}</ref>  By the time of the first census of Singapore in 1824, the Chinese migrants were noted as being either [[Peranakan]]s, or from [[Macau]], [[Guangdong]] and [[Fujian]].<ref name="1823 census">{{cite web |url=http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/history/events/2fb8948b-5f16-4a7a-8e3c-7a724e1eb6ad |title=First Census of Singapore is Taken – January 1824|work=History SG }}</ref>
[[File:KITLV - 50190 - Lambert & Co., G.R. - Singapore - Chinese girls in Singapore - circa 1900.tif|thumb|upright|right|Chinese women in Singapore, ca. 1900. In early Singapore there were far fewer Chinese women than men.]]

The Chinese quickly formed the majority of the population in Singapore, by the census of 1826 there were already more Chinese (6,088) than Malays (4,790) excluding Bugis (1,242) and Javanese (267).<ref name="census 1826"/> The Chinese became the dominant group by the 1830s (the largest ethnic group at 45.9% in the 1836 census), and by 1849, 52.8% of the total population of 52,891 were Chinese.<ref name="jstor1"/> The Chinese population reached over 70% of the total by 1901 and has stayed there since.<ref name="warren"/>

The early Chinese migrants to Singapore were predominantly males. In 1826, the official census figures show that out of a total population of 13,750, there were 5,747 Chinese males but only 341 Chinese females.<ref name="census 1826">{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/stream/cu31924023134368#page/n43/mode/2up |editor=Wright, Arnold |editor2=Cartwright, H.A. |date= 1907|title=Twentieth century impressions of British Malaya: its history, people, commerce, industries, and resources |page=37 }}</ref> Most of the Chinese females in this early period of Singapore were [[nyonya]]s from [[Malacca]] as women from China were discouraged from emigrating. It was noted in 1837 that there were no Chinese women in Singapore who had emigrated directly from China; even as late as 1876, a British official in Singapore wrote that he did not know of any respectable Chinese woman who had emigrated with her husband.<ref name="jstor1"/> The imbalance of the sexes in Chinese community continued for a long time with the continual flow into Singapore of male migrant workers who were either single or had left their wives and children behind in China; for example, the 1901 census figures show that there were 130,367 Chinese males compared to 33,674 Chinese females.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/stream/cu31924030396067#page/n189/mode/2up/search/singapore |title=Census of the British empire. 1901|page=123 |date=1906 |publisher=Great Britain Census Office}}</ref> For a long period, most of the Chinese population in early Singapore were immigrants as many did not intend to settle permanently to raise their family there; even by the late 1890s, only around 10% of the Chinese population in Singapore were born there.<ref name="warren"/> The early migrant Chinese workers worked to send money back to their family in China, and many would then return to China after they had earned enough money. However, an increasing number would also choose to settle permanently in Singapore, especially in the 1920s when more chose to remain in Singapore rather than leave.<ref name="warren">{{cite book |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=wVyqbmHS2zQC&pg=PA19 |title=Rickshaw Coolie: A People's History of Singapore, 1880–1940 |author= James Francis Warren|page=19 |publisher=NUS Press |date=30 June 2003|isbn=978-9971692667 }}</ref> Change in social attitude in the modern era also meant that Chinese women were freer to emigrate from China, and the sex ratio began to normalise in the 20th century.<ref name="jstor1">{{cite journal |jstor=20067730 |title=Population Trends in Singapore, 1819–1967 |author=Saw Swee-Hock|journal=Journal of Southeast Asian History|volume= 10|issue= 1|date= March 1969|pages= 36–49 |doi=10.1017/S0217781100004270 }}</ref> This gradual normalisation of sex ratio led to an increase in the number of native births.  Immigration would continue to be the main reason for the Chinese population increase in Singapore until the 1931–1947 period when the natural increase in population would surpass the net immigration figures.<ref name="popofSG3rd">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dD2qVu8EpdUC&pg=PA12 |title=The Population of Singapore |edition=3rd |author= Saw Swee-Hock | publisher=ISEAS Publishing|date=30 June 2012|isbn= 978-9814380980 |page=12}}</ref>

Many of the early migrants were Chinese traders who were attracted by the free trade policy after Singapore became the capital of the [[British Empire|British]] [[Straits Settlements]] in 1832.  Many also came to work in the plantations, with 11,000 migrants recorded in one year. Singapore became one of the entry and dispersal points for large number of Chinese and Indian migrants who came to work in the plantations and mines of the Straits Settlements, many of whom then settled in Singapore after their contract ended.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/stream/cu31924023134368#page/n227/mode/2up |editor=Wright, Arnold |editor2=Cartwright, H.A. |author=Mrs Reginald Sanderson|date= 1907|title=Twentieth century impressions of British Malaya: its history, people, commerce, industries, and resources |pages=220–221 }}</ref>  Because of booming commerce which required a large labour force, the Chinese [[coolie]] trade also appeared in Singapore. Indentured Chinese Cantonese labourers and [[British Raj]] labourers were contracted by coolie traders and brought to Singapore to work. In 1860 under the 2nd Opium War, Chinese coolie trade became legalised and reached a high peak. The large influx of coolies into Singapore only stopped after [[William A. Pickering|William Pickering]] became the Protector of Chinese. In 1914, the coolie trade was abolished and banned in Singapore.<ref>{{Cite book |title=A general history of the Chinese in Singapore |date=2019 |publisher=[[Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations]] |others=Shao You-Bao Overseas Chinese Documentation and Research Center |isbn=978-981-327-832-5 |editor-last=Kwa |editor-first=Chong Guan |location=Singapore |pages=86 |oclc=1098154941 |editor-last2=Ke |editor-first2=Mulin}}</ref>

The large influx of Chinese to Singapore led to the establishment of a large number of Chinese associations, schools, and temples in Singapore and, within a century, the Chinese immigrant population exceeded that of the Malays. During this period, Christian [[missionaries]] from Europe began evangelising to the Asians, especially the Chinese.

Peranakans, or those descendants of Chinese in Southeast Asia for many generations who were generally English-educated were typically known in Singapore as "Laokuh" (老客 – Old Guest) or "Straits Chinese". Most of them paid loyalty to the [[British Empire]] and did not regard themselves as "[[Overseas Chinese|Huaqiao]]". From the 19th until the mid-20th century, migrants from China were known as "Sinkuh" (新客 – New Guest). A majority of them were coolies, workers on steamboats, etc. Some of them came to Singapore for work, in search of better living conditions or to escape poverty in China. Many of them also escaped to Singapore due to chaos and wars in China during the first half of the 20th century. They came mostly from the [[Fujian]], Guangdong and [[Hainan]] provinces and, unlike Peranakans, paid loyalty to China and regarded themselves as "Huaqiao".

===1937–1945 (World War II)===
[[File:Lim Bo Seng Memorial, Aug 06.JPG|thumb|The [[Lim Bo Seng Memorial]] at [[Esplanade Park]] commemorates [[Lim Bo Seng]], a [[World War II]] anti-Japanese Resistance fighter who was based in Singapore and [[British Malaya]].]]

The [[Second Sino-Japanese War]], started in 1937, revived a perceived sense of patriotism in the local Chinese to their native homeland in China which led them to impose an embargo against Japanese goods and products in Singapore. During the war, many of the immigrants returned to China to fight the Japanese, while established entrepreneurs sent economic aid or military equipment to China. After the Japanese [[Battle of Singapore|took Singapore]] in 1942, the [[Kempeitai]] tracked down many Chinese who aided the Chinese war effort against Japan. However, the Kempeitai's [[Sook Ching Operation]] was simply a massacre designed to drive fear into the local populace, so the Kempeitai simply picked out people based on accounts of masked informers, which in many cases were false accounts based on personal vendettas. There was also active anti-Japanese resistance during the war, such as [[Force 136]], headed by [[Lim Bo Seng]].

===After 1945===
[[Race riots]] were common during the early post-war period, predominantly in the period between self-governance and independence in 1965. 
One [[1964 race riots in Singapore|major riot]] took place during birthday celebrations in honour of [[Muhammad]], on 21 July 1964. There were records of high casualties (23 killed and 454 injured), as well as claims that the riot was politically motivated to oust the then Prime Minister ([[Lee Kuan Yew]]) and his cabinet as well as to prevent the promotion of a [[Malaysian Malaysia]] concept in [[Peninsular Malaysia]].

Following Singapore's independence in 1965, the government pursued policies to foster a racially harmonious society. With the establishment of a Singaporean national identity and nationhood, the Chinese community began to shift from a mindset of temporary residence to permanent settlement, laying deeper roots on the island. Over time, this transformation encouraged Chinese Singaporeans to increasingly identify themselves, in terms of citizenship, as "Singaporeans".<ref name="SCI">{{cite web |author1=Ng Sze Hian |title=Dissecting the Singaporean Chinese Identity: After the Diaspora |url=https://lkyspp.nus.edu.sg/gia/article/dissecting-the-singaporean-chinese-identity-after-the-diaspora |website=lkyspp.nus.edu.sg |publisher=[[Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy]] |access-date=18 August 2025 |date=1 September 2020}}</ref>

In the late 20th century, Singapore saw a large increase of Chinese immigrants, who were selected by the Singaporean government from Chinese universities in order to increase manpower. Chinese migrants from China during the late 20th century and early 21st century were generally known as "Xinyimin 新移民" (new immigrants). They came from various parts of China.

==Chinese associations or institutions in Singapore==

===Historical background===
{{More citations needed section|date=August 2011}}
When the Chinese migrants first arrived in Singapore in the 19th and early 20th century, they settled in enclaves such as [[Chinatown, Singapore|Chinatown]]. They tended to group themselves according to dialect, with those from nearby Chinese regions grouping together. This led the Chinese to form 5 dialect groups (known as ''Bangqun,'' 幫群), namely the ''Hokkien Bang'', ''Teochew Bang'','' Cantonese Bang'', ''Hakka Bang'' and ''Hainanese Bang''.

During the British colonial period, the colonial government adopted the approach of using "the Chinese to govern the Chinese". They appointed Chinese leaders to govern the Chinese community. Effectively, the Chinese community existed in a semi-autonomous state.  Chinese civil societies helped new Chinese immigrants settle into Singapore, finding employment and lodging for them.

Many Chinese civil societies were involved in Chinese family religious activities such as funerals or ancestral worship and also had religious functions. This gradually evolved into the development of [[Chinese Temple]]s and [[Chinese clan associations]] in Singapore. As time passed by, the Chinese had grown to have more achievements in the business and education in Singapore. Some affluent Chinese businessmen began to establish commercial organizations such as the [[Ee Ho Hean Club]] (怡和軒) in 1895,<ref>{{cite web|author=中国侨网 (zhongguo qiaowang)|title=新加坡怡和轩俱乐部(Singapore Ee Ho Hean Club)|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/overseas/2005-01/18/content_2477406.htm|access-date=12 February 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202074142/http://news.xinhuanet.com/overseas/2005-01/18/content_2477406.htm|archive-date=2 December 2010}}</ref> and the [[Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry]], to help broaden social circles amongst the Chinese. Established in 1906, the [[Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry]] was responsible for fighting for the rights of the Chinese in Singapore during the British colonial period. During the [[World War II]], the [[Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry]] had managed to help raise funds and resources to help relieve the sufferings in war-torn China.

After Singapore gained independence and autonomy in the 1960s, the Singapore government undertook measures to help foster racial harmony in Singapore. It encouraged races of different languages and religious backgrounds to intermingle and to live side-by-side. Following the growth of Singaporean national identity, the Chinese immigrants began to change their mindset from that of temporary migrants to permanent settlers, thus establishing roots in Singapore. With the strengthening of Singaporean national identity, the [[Chinese clan associations]] gradually declined in importance. Their role of organizing and governing the Chinese community was taken over by the Singapore government.

===Today===
Today, all Singaporean clan associations operate under the flagship of [[Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations]] (SFCCA). Clan associations connect Singaporean Chinese to their ancestral homes in China. The [[Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry]] (SCCCI) continues to look after the interests of the Chinese business community as well as sourcing for business opportunities in China. The [[Chinese Development Assistance Council]] was founded out of these two organizations (SFCCA and SCCCI) to help nurture and develop the potential of the Chinese community, thus contributing to the continued success of multiracial Singapore. 

There are also various Chinese cultural organizations such as [[Singapore Chinese Calligraphy Society]], [[Singapore Chinese Orchestra]], [[Siong Leng Musical Association]], [[Nanyang Confucian Association]], [[Singapore Chinese Opera Institute]] etc. as well as major Chinese religious associations such as [[Singapore Buddhist Federation]], [[Taoist Federation (Singapore)]] and [[Singapore Buddhist Lodge]] to look after the religious affairs of Singaporean Chinese.

All these Chinese organizations continue to play an important role in the economic, cultural and religious life of Singaporean Chinese.

==Singaporean Chinese subgroups==
<imagemap>File:Singaporean Homelands, China.png|This clickable map (within China) depicts the ancestral homelands of the majority of Singaporean Chinese. Click on the regional subdivisions to see the name of a state, province or region.|upright=1.8|thumb

rect 655 404 779 433 [[China]]
poly 629 357 629 364 630 365 631 369 633 372 639 374 646 374 649 372 653 369 655 366 655 360 657 355 659 354 660 349 657 345 654 345 653 347 651 347 650 346 647 346 646 347 639 347 637 348 635 348 635 351 633 354 [[Hainan]]
poly 642 340 640 336 639 332 639 327 640 324 638 323 644 319 647 318 646 314 649 315 652 314 652 311 651 309 653 306 658 299 656 295 658 292 664 289 663 286 662 284 666 281 664 276 667 273 667 268 666 266 671 266 674 269 676 272 678 270 677 267 674 266 674 264 679 263 680 262 682 264 684 263 687 265 687 262 689 262 690 265 692 264 697 265 698 264 701 267 700 269 695 275 695 278 702 277 706 275 709 277 711 278 712 278 712 274 715 273 719 274 719 277 723 277 725 279 727 282 727 285 728 287 729 291 729 293 727 295 729 296 728 298 725 298 725 301 723 301 720 303 715 304 714 306 710 305 707 304 704 307 701 304 694 305 690 307 685 312 685 315 682 316 681 318 680 319 680 323 675 323 675 320 672 321 669 320 665 320 668 321 668 323 663 323 655 325 652 326 650 329 651 332 649 333 648 334 651 338 652 341 650 343 644 343 643 341 [[Guangdong]]
poly 689 310 690 315 691 317 697 318 705 317 706 312 703 307 701 305 699 305 693 306 690 308 689 309 [[Hong Kong]]
poly 686 319 686 312 688 310 689 312 690 317 690 318 [[Macau]]
poly 775 280 774 284 772 288 772 292 774 296 772 297 772 299 774 300 776 304 777 308 780 310 784 314 785 317 786 317 787 307 789 303 791 298 791 294 792 280 792 276 791 273 792 270 792 267 790 267 787 265 783 266 781 268 779 269 778 273 775 279 [[Taiwan]]
poly 715 235 715 244 717 245 718 246 716 248 715 250 715 253 714 254 714 260 715 260 715 265 714 266 713 270 713 273 715 273 718 273 719 275 720 276 723 276 725 278 728 283 729 289 731 292 733 291 737 288 740 285 743 280 743 277 747 277 748 279 750 275 751 271 754 267 756 266 756 264 754 263 755 261 759 264 762 262 762 259 759 261 758 259 759 254 757 253 761 248 758 246 762 245 763 242 761 240 763 238 765 236 766 232 767 230 765 228 761 227 758 228 756 230 754 229 750 225 749 226 749 229 747 230 744 230 738 220 738 217 739 215 737 213 734 213 732 215 730 216 727 217 725 216 723 216 723 217 722 219 719 220 718 221 719 223 720 225 721 226 721 229 720 232 717 234 [[Fujian]]
poly 716 196 722 199 725 200 729 205 730 215 735 212 739 214 739 216 738 218 739 222 744 228 745 230 747 229 749 228 749 224 751 225 756 229 760 227 765 227 766 228 767 222 768 221 769 218 771 218 770 222 775 218 775 215 773 212 774 209 773 206 771 205 771 202 772 205 775 205 775 201 774 198 773 197 773 195 775 195 776 197 777 196 775 194 778 191 776 189 775 186 773 186 773 188 773 189 772 192 769 191 764 187 760 187 757 189 754 189 754 187 756 187 757 184 761 181 751 175 747 177 746 175 742 175 740 174 737 169 732 171 733 174 732 176 731 178 732 179 731 180 729 180 728 179 726 180 726 184 725 184 725 187 [[Zhejiang]]
poly 752 162 752 167 751 169 750 175 761 180 762 181 775 182 770 165 759 164 756 162 [[Shanghai]]

desc bottom-left
</imagemap>

Most Singaporeans of Chinese descent are descended from emigrants from [[Fujian]], [[Guangdong]], or [[Hainan]]. The Min Nan or [[Southern Min]] people ([[Hoklo people|Hokkiens]] and [[Teochew people|Teochews]]) and [[Cantonese people]] together form more than three-quarters of the Singaporean Chinese population. The [[Hakka people|Hakka]], [[Putian people|Henghuas]], [[Fuzhou people|Foochows]], and other subgroups account for most of the remainder. Singaporeans of Chinese descent are generally the descendants of non-indentured and indentured immigrants from southern China during the 19th and first half of the 20th century. The 1990s and early 21st century saw Singapore experience a third wave of immigration from different parts of China.

{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|+ Population Profile of Singaporean Chinese Subgroups<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.howardscott.net/4/Swatow_A_Colonial_Heritage/Files/Documentation/Lee%20Eu%20Fah.pdf |title=Edmund Lee Eu Fah, "''Profile of the Singapore Chinese Dialect Groups''", Social Statistic Section, Singapore Department of Statistics (2000) |access-date=22 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110205010508/http://www.howardscott.net/4/Swatow_A_Colonial_Heritage/Files/Documentation/Lee%20Eu%20Fah.pdf |archive-date=5 February 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.singstat.gov.sg/publications/publications_and_papers/cop2010/census10_stat_release1.html|title=Census of Population 2010: Basic Demographic Characteristics|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106032823/http://www.singstat.gov.sg/publications/publications_and_papers/cop2010/census10_stat_release1.html|archive-date=6 January 2014}}</ref>
|-
! class="unsortable" | Group
! class="unsortable" | Province/{{wbr}}region
! class="nowrap unsortable"|[[Ancestral home (China)|Ancestral home]]
!'''1990'''
!'''2000'''
!'''2010'''
!2020
|-
|[[Hoklo people|Hokkien]]<br />(Minnan/{{wbr}}Hoklo/{{wbr}}[[Zhangzhou|Changchow]]/{{wbr}}[[Xiamen|Amoy]]/{{wbr}}[[Quanzhou|Chinchew]])
|[[Fujian]], [[Taiwan]]
|[[Anxi County|Anxi]], [[Tong'an District|Tong'an]], [[Nan'an, Fujian|Nan'an]], [[Jinjiang, Fujian|Jinjiang]], [[Shishi, Fujian|Shishi]], [[Hui'an County|Hui'an]], [[Yongchun County|Yongchun]], [[Kinmen]], [[Longhai City|Longhai]], [[Pinghe County|Pinghe]], [[Zhao'an County|Zhao'an]]
|align=right |896,080
|align=right |1,028,490
|align=right |1,118,817
|1,180,599
|-
|[[Teochew people|Teochew]]
|[[Guangdong]]
|[[Chaoshan]], [[Chao'an County|Chao'an]], [[Chaoyang District, Shantou|Chaoyang]], [[Jieyang]], [[Raoping County|Raoping]], [[Chenghai District|Chenghai]], [[Puning]], [[Huilai County|Huilai]] 
|align=right |466,020
|align=right |526,200
|align=right |562,139
|583,963
|-
|[[Cantonese people|Cantonese]]
|Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macau
|[[Guangzhou]], [[Zhaoqing]], [[Foshan]], [[Zhuhai]], [[Jiangmen]], [[Yangjiang]], [[Dongguan]], [[Yunfu]], [[Zhanjiang]], [[Shenzhen]], [[Maoming]], [[Zhongshan]]
|align=right |327,870
|align=right |385,630
|align=right |408,517
|429,329
|-
|[[Hakka people|Hakka]]
|Guangdong, Fujian, Taiwan
|Chengxiang County (present-day [[Meixian District]]), [[Dabu County|Dapu]], [[Jiexi County|Hepo]], [[Huizhou]], Danshui (present-day [[Huiyang District]]), [[Yongding County|Yongding]], [[Heyuan]], Western Longyan, [[Lufeng, Guangdong|Lufeng]]
|align=right |155,980
|align=right |198,440
|align=right |232,914
|259,153
|-
|[[Hainanese people|Hainanese]]
|[[Hainan]]
|[[Wenchang]], [[Haikou]], [[Qionghai]], [[Ding'an County|Ding'an]], [[Wanning]]
|align=right |148,740
|align=right |167,590
|align=right |177,541
|183,312
|-
|[[Fuzhou people|Hokchew]]<br />(Foochow)
|Fujian
|[[Fuzhou]], [[Changle District|Changle]], [[Gutian County|Gutian]]
|align=right |36,490
|align=right |46,890
|align=right |54,233
|59,609
|-
|[[Putian people|Henghua]]<br />(Putian)
|Fujian
|[[Putian]], [[Xianyou County|Xianyou]]
|align=right |19,990
|align=right |23,540
|align=right |25,549
|26,702
|-
|[[Shanghainese people|Shanghainese]]
|Shanghai
|
|align=right |17,310
|align=right |21,550
|align=right |22,053
|22,503
|-
|[[Fuqing|Hockchia]]<br />(Fuqing)
|Fujian
|[[Fuqing]]
|align=right |13,230
|align=right |15,470
|align=right |16,556
|17,070
|-
|Other
|''Various''
|''Various''
|align=right |50,150
|align=right |91,590
|align=right |175,661
|244,529
|}

===Hokkien===
[[File:Thian Hock Keng 02.jpg|thumb|[[Thian Hock Keng]] is the oldest [[Hoklo people|Hokkien]] temple in Singapore.]]
The [[Hokkien]]-speaking subgroup constitutes nearly two-fifths of the Singaporean Chinese population. They are [[Hoklo people]] from Minnan, including mixed-race [[Peranakans|Peranakan]] Chinese and immigrants who originated in the southern parts of the [[Fujian|Fujian province]], including [[Xiamen]], [[Quanzhou]] and [[Zhangzhou]].

They speak [[Singaporean Hokkien]], the standard of which is based on the [[Amoy dialect]] of [[Xiamen]], which is partially comprehensible with [[Teochew dialect|Teochew]] although less so with [[Qiongwen|Hainanese]].<ref>"[http://www.glossika.com/en/dict/research/mutint/minnan.php Minnan]".</ref> Hokkien Chinese was a ''[[lingua franca]]'' among coastal Chinese and was also used by other ethnic groups such as the [[Malay people|Malays]] and the [[demographics of India|Indians]] to communicate with Chinese before Mandarin came to dominance during the 1980s and 1990s.

Just as in [[Taiwan]], [[Hokkien people]], speakers of [[Hokkien]], refers not to people originating from all parts of Fujian. "Hokkien" refers only to the Minnan (Southern Min) region of southern coastal Fujian. Singaporean Hokkien does not include northern Fujianese such as those arriving from [[Fuzhou]], [[Putian]] and so on. Early Hokkien migrants settled around Amoy Street and Telok Ayer Street, forming enclaves around the [[Thian Hock Kheng Temple]]. They subsequently set up clan headquarters (''[[Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan|Hokkien Huey Kuan]]'') there and later expanded to Hokkien Street and the vicinity of China Street. Hokkiens were the most active in early trading that centred along the [[Singapore River]].

As early settlers came from the southern coast of China, they were to pray for calm waves and a safe journey and worshipped the “Mother of Heavenly Sage” or [[Matsu (goddess)|Tian Shang Sheng Mu]] ({{Lang|zh-hant|天上聖母}}), the Goddess who can calm the sea and ensure the safety of those travelling across the seas. [[Thian Hock Keng Temple]] was thus built in 1840 along Telok Ayer Street and dedicated to [[Mazu|Tian Shang Sheng Mu]] ({{Lang|zh-hant|天上聖母}}), it was a bustling meeting point and an important congregation point for the Hokkien community.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thianhockkeng.com.sg/site/our-faith-about/|title=THIAN HOCK KENG - OUR FAITH|website=thianhockkeng.com.sg/|access-date=25 June 2020}}</ref> Other popular deities are the [[Nine Emperor Gods|Kew Ong Yah]], [[Guan Yu|Guan Teh Gong]], [[Guanyin|Kuan Yim Hood Chor]], [[Wang Ye worship|Ong Yah Gong]], [[Qingshui (monk)|Qing Shui Zhu Shi]], [[Baosheng Dadi|Bao Sheng Da Di]], [[Tan Goan-kong|Kai Zhang Sheng Wang]], [[Fu De Zheng Shen]] and especially the [[Jade Emperor]], 9th Day of the 1st Lunar Month is the birthday of Jade Emperor and is considered by many Chinese to be the most important day of the lunar year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thianhockkeng.com.sg/site/traditions-and-cultures-2/|title=THIAN HOCK KENG - TRADITIONS AND CULTURES|website=thianhockkeng.com.sg/|access-date=25 June 2020}}</ref>

A traditional Taoist practice by [[Tangki|spiritual mediumship]] (乩童, <small>[[Pinyin|p]]</small> ''jītóng'', <small>Hokkien</small> ''tâng-ki''; 童乩) is also popular. The ''tangki'' goes into a trance and purportedly channels a chosen Deity for the petitioner. The Deity will provides wide range of divine assistance from bestowing blessings to oracles consultation to exorcism to giving spiritual protection and talismans.{{citation needed|date=April 2012}}

===Teochew===
[[File:Teochew Building, Mar 06.JPG|thumb|upright|right|The [[Ngee Ann Kongsi]] is based at the Teochew Building on Tank Road.]]

The [[Teochew dialect|Teochew]]-speaking subgroup in Singapore constitutes about a fifth of the Singaporean Chinese population, making them the second-largest Southern Min dialect-speaking group in Singapore. The Teochew speakers form a separate division of Hoklo (Min Nan/Hokkien) people. They originated from [[Chaoshan]] region in eastern [[Guangdong]], in cities like [[Chaozhou]], [[Jieyang]] and [[Shantou]]. Many trace their origins from different Northern cities but were settled there to maintain as county authorities within the south of China.

Despite similarities, the Teochew and Hokkien speakers consider themselves distinct and did not get along during their early settlement in Singapore, especially during the British colonial era. The Teochew were dominant for a period of time during the 19th century. Mass immigration from Fujian changed this, although the majority of the Chinese along the banks of the [[Straits of Johor]] were Teochew until the [[Housing and Development Board|HDB]] initiated redevelopment in the 1980s. ''[[The Straits Times]]'' reports that [[Hougang]] still has a relatively high concentration of Teochew residents.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Belmont Lay |author2=Julia Teo |title=The fascinating history behind why Hougang has many Teochew Catholics |url=https://mothership.sg/2020/11/hougang-teochew-catholics/ |website=mothership.sg |access-date=18 August 2025 |date=17 November 2020}}</ref>

Most Teochew settled along the [[Singapore River]] in [[Chinatown, Singapore|Chinatown]] during the 19th and early 20th century. Teochew who settled in Chinatown worked in many commercial sectors as well as the fisheries. Commercial sectors once dominated by Teochews include Circular Road and South Bridge Road. Other Teochew businessmen set up [[Uncaria|gambier]] and [[Black pepper|pepper]] plantations in the dense forests of north Singapore and [[Johor Bahru]]. The Chinese first started their plantations with the approval of the [[Sultan of Johor]] and then developed the ''kangchu'' (江厝, <small>[[Pinyin|p]]</small> ''jiāngcuò'', <small>lit.</small> "river house") system. ''Chu'' was the clan name of the first headman of the plantations in the area. These ''kangchus'' gave rise to modern place names such as [[Choa Chu Kang]], [[Lim Chu Kang]] and [[Yio Chu Kang]], all of which were plantation areas before urban redevelopment.

Early Chinese immigrants clustered themselves to form clan and language associations. These clan associations (''kongsi'') served as unions for the mostly illiterate Chinese labourers and represented them when dealing with their colonial administrators or employers. One of the most prominent associations for the Teochew was the ''[[Ngee Ann Kongsi]]'', formed in 1845 and is still in operation. The association also take care of [[Yueh Hai Ching Temple]], which is the oldest Teochew temple in Singapore.

===Cantonese===
The [[Cantonese]]-speaking subgroup makes up about 15% of the Singaporean Chinese population. They originated from [[Hong Kong]] and the southern region of [[Guangdong]] province in China, including [[Guangzhou]], [[Foshan]], [[Zhaoqing]], [[Jiangmen]], [[Maoming]], [[Zhongshan]], [[Yunfu]], [[Shenzhen]], [[Yangjiang]], [[Zhuhai]], [[Dongguan]] and [[Zhanjiang]].
	
The Cantonese speak several dialects belonging to the [[Yue Chinese|Yue family]]. ''Yue Hai'' is considered the [[prestige dialect]] from its occurrence in [[Guangzhou]]. Other variants include ''Luoguang'', ''[[Toishanese]]''<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/learn-more-about-toishanese-food-and-culture-in-singapore-heritage-festival-video | title=Learn more about Toishanese food and culture in Singapore HeritageFest video &#124; the Straits Times | newspaper=The Straits Times | date=28 April 2021 }}</ref> and ''Gouyeung''.
	
The Cantonese worked mainly as professionals and tradesmen during the early and mid 20th centuries, and their businesses dominated the shophouses along Temple Street, Pagoda Street and Mosque Street. Cantonese women from the [[Sanshui District|Samsui]] district worked as labourers at construction sites and contributed greatly toward Singapore's development. These [[Samsui women]] left their families behind in China and came to Singapore to work at construction sites for a living during the early 20th century.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Low |first=Kelvin E. Y |title=Remembering the Samsui women : migration and social memory in Singapore and China |date=2015 |isbn=978-9971-69-858-4 |location=Singapore |oclc=899227881}}</ref> Cantonese women from the [[Siyi]] district of [[Jiangmen]] wore black headgear similar to the Samsui women and mainly worked at [[Keppel Harbour]] and the shipyards at the old harbour along the [[Singapore River]]. Many Cantonese women also worked as majie in rich people's households. More Cantonese immigrated from Hong Kong in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
	
Today, the Cantonese dialect is still preserved amongst ethnic Chinese of Cantonese ancestry, although most younger generations tend to speak more [[Standard Chinese]] due to language reforms, but is still widely used as the main ''[[lingua franca]]'' for connecting both the older and the younger generations when communicating to one another as well since the older generations are mostly monolinguals (those who speak little to no Mandarin at all) or bilinguals (speaking English alongside the dialect itself) and trilinguals (amongst those who had mastered additional basic language skills in the other official languages of Malay and/or Tamil). As of 2010, Singaporeans recognise [[Chinatown, Singapore|Chinatown]] for having a large number of Cantonese people.

===Hakka===
[[File:Ying Fo Fui Kun, Oct 06.JPG|thumb|[[Ying Fo Fui Kun]] is the first [[Hakka people|Hakka]] [[clan]] [[Voluntary association|association]] in Singapore.]]

The [[Hakka Chinese|Hakka]]-speaking subgroup constitutes 11.4% of the Singaporean Chinese population.<ref>{{cite web|title=Overview Singapore|year=2006|url=http://www.intercultures.ca/cil-cai/overview-apercu-eng.asp?iso=sg|access-date=18 November 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100919181532/http://www.intercultures.ca/cil-cai/overview-apercu-eng.asp?iso=sg|archive-date=19 September 2010}}</ref> About 70% of them originated from [[Dabu County]].<ref>{{Cite news| url=https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/lee-kuan-yew-the-pride-of-a-tiny-village-in-china|title=Lee Kuan Yew: The pride of a tiny village in China|newspaper=The Straits Times |date=23 March 2016 }}</ref>
	
Singapore has more than 200,000 Hakkas and they are the fourth-largest dialect group after the Hokkiens, Teochews and Cantonese. The Hakkas were known for running pawnshops, traditional Chinese medicine shops and optical shops.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Tan|first=Thomas Tsu-wee|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4pYsAAAAIAAJ|title=Chinese dialect groups: traits and trades|date=1990|publisher=Opinion Books|location=Singapore|page=118 |oclc=614949350}}</ref> Many Hakka women who came to Singapore during the early 20th century worked in construction sites and wore headgear similar to the Samsui women. However, instead of red, the Hakka women wore black headgear.

[[Ying Fo Fui Kun]], a Hakka clan association, is the oldest clan association in Singapore. Its clan house is located at Telok Ayer Street in the Outram Planning Area, within the Central Area, Singapore's central business district. In 2015 a Hakka ''[[tulou]]'' replica was built. The replica in Singapore was built by the Fong Yun Thai Association, an umbrella body for three Hakka clans – Char Yong (Dabu) Association, Eng Teng Association and Foong Shoon Fui Kuan. This is the only tulou replica outside of proper China till date.

Singapore's founding father [[Lee Kuan Yew]] and his son, Prime Minister [[Lee Hsien Loong]], were fourth- and fifth-generation Singaporean Chinese of Hakka descent, respectively. Apart from Lee Kuan Yew, many first-generation leaders of Singapore were of Hakka descent, including [[Chor Yeok Eng]], [[Hon Sui Sen]], [[Howe Yoon Chong]] and [[Yong Nyuk Lin]].

===Others===
This subgroup constitutes about 5% of the Singaporean Chinese population.

The largest group of Singaporean Chinese not from Fujian or Guangdong are the [[Hainanese people|Hainanese]] from the province of [[Hainan]]. They speak [[Hainanese language|Hainanese]], a variety of Min Chinese which has similarities with [[Southern Min]]. The [[Hainanese people|Hainanese]] in Singapore originated mainly from the north-east part of the island, from cities such as [[Wenchang]] and [[Haikou]]. As relative late-comers to Singapore in the late 19th century, most of them worked as shop assistants, chefs, and waiters in the hospitality sector. [[Hainanese chicken rice]] became a famous dish. They were also known for their Western cooking, as many of the early Hainanese migrants worked as cooks on European ships.

The [[Hockchew]] and [[Hockchia]] originated from northeastern [[Fujian]], particularly [[Fuzhou]] city, [[Changle District]], [[Gutian County]] and [[Fuqing]]. They speak varieties of [[Eastern Min]]. The Puxian or [[Hinghwa]] people originated from Central Fujian{{spaced ndash}}[[Putian]] and [[Xianyou]]{{spaced ndash}}and speak [[Puxian Min]], a transitional variety of Min which has features in common with both Southern Min and Eastern Min.

Taiwan-born Singaporean Chinese and their descendants are predominantly of the Hokkien and Hakka subgroups. They number around 30,000 (2012) and constitute less than 2% of the Singaporean population.<ref>{{cite web|title = overseas Taiwanese population (Overseas Communities Affair Council, Republic of China)|year = 2012|url = http://www.ocac.gov.tw/OCAC/File/Attach/10/File_55.pdf|access-date= 3 June 2014}}</ref> In Singapore, due to their small population, the [[Taiwanese people|Taiwanese]] are often grouped into larger populations, such as the Hokkien and Hakka, according to their dialect or ancestral origin. Newer Taiwanese immigrants have formed a distinctive group on their own. They may speak [[Taiwanese Mandarin]], [[Taiwanese Hokkien|Hokkien]] or [[Hakka Chinese|Hakka]] and originate from many different cities, including [[Taipei]], [[New Taipei]], [[Hsinchu]], [[Taichung]], [[Tainan City|Tainan]] and [[Kaohsiung]].

According to the book, ''Japanese's view of Singapore'' ({{lang|zh-hant|日本人眼裏的新加坡}}) edited by Lin Shaobin, the vice-chairman of Singapore Japanese cultural society, the "Bank of Taiwan" started its operation in Singapore from 1912 to 1925. The book also indicated that according to Japanese statistics of 1932, there were around 105 Taiwanese living in Malaya (including Singapore). According to verbal accounts by Singaporeans, many of the "Japanese" soldiers involved in the [[Japanese occupation of Singapore|occupation of Singapore]] during World War II were in fact [[Taiwanese Imperial Japan Serviceman|Taiwanese serving in the Imperial Japanese Army]]. Similar accounts relate that many teachers of Mandarin Chinese in the 1950s and 1960s came from Taiwan. After 1965, military ties led to the immigration of some Taiwanese military personnel as high-ranking officers in [[Singapore Armed Forces]]. More immigration began during the 1970s and 1980s from investors, businessmen, and students. Most of these were highly educated and employed in professions such as engineering, business, investment, research and education. Marriages between Singaporean Chinese and Taiwanese (i.e. Taiwan-born Chinese) often resulted in the Taiwanese partner moving to Singapore and obtaining citizenship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zaobao.com/xhd/pages/xhd090504c.shtml|title=他們來自另一個島嶼 (They come from another island)|author=陈能端 (Chen Nengduan)|publisher=zaobao.com|access-date=10 January 2011}}</ref>

===Peranakan===
[[File:East Coast Road 3, Mar 06.JPG|thumb|[[Peranakan]]s in Singapore were once concentrated in [[Katong]].]]
[[File:Shophouses along Emerald Hill.jpg|thumb|right|[[Emerald Hill, Singapore|Emerald Hill]] was once home to prominent Peranakan families in Singapore.<ref>Lee, Kip Lin, and Singapore . National Museuml. 1984.Emerald hill: The story of a street in words and pictures. Singapore: National Museum Singapore.</ref>]]

The [[Peranakan]] or ''Baba-Nyonya'' are early mixed Chinese-Malay immigrants from [[Malacca]] and [[Penang]] who later migrated to Singapore.  A few notable Peranakans have classified themselves as a separate ethnic group and have a distinct identity from either separate group while the vast majority have self-classified as Singaporean Chinese after re-assimilation. The men are known as ''Baba'' while the women are known as ''Bibiks'' or ''Nyonyas''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asiapacbooks.com/pdf/Peranakan_preview.pdf|title=Gateway to Peranakan Culture|publisher=AsiaPac Books|access-date=3 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216103252/http://www.asiapacbooks.com/pdf/Peranakan_preview.pdf|archive-date=16 December 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Peranakans in Singapore were once concentrated around the Malay settlement at Geylang and the Chinese enclave at [[Katong]] because they often served as intermediaries for businesses and social groups in colonial Singapore owing to multilingual fluency in English, Malay, and Hokkien (post-independence and after the 1980s, standard [[Mandarin Chinese|Mandarin]] as well mastered as a third supplementary language). Many Peranakans and Hokkien Chinese moved out of the congested town of Singapore{{spaced ndash}}today's Central Business District{{spaced ndash}}and built seaside mansions and villas along the East Coast in Tanjong Katong for their families. After Singapore's independence, Peranankans moved throughout the island.

Many Peranakans converted to [[Roman Catholicism]] during the 17th and 18th century Dutch, Portuguese, British and Spanish colonisation of Southeast Asia, which saw missionaries set up posts in [[Batavia, Dutch East Indies|Batavia]] (today's [[Jakarta]]) and along the [[Malay Peninsula]].

===New Chinese immigrants===
{{Main|Chinese nationals in Singapore}}

Before 1990, [[Mandarin Chinese|Mandarin]] speakers from Beijing and northern China and [[Wu Chinese|Wu]] speakers from Shanghai and the central Pacific coast of China constituted less than 2% of the Singaporean Chinese population. Most of the current population of native [[Mandarin Chinese|Mandarin]] speakers immigrated to Singapore much later than the other groups, after the Singaporean government relaxed immigration laws in 1989. Many of them were working in blue-collar jobs during Singapore's rapid industrialisation which began in the 1970s.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=M. |first=Lin |date=2010 |title=Chinese migrant workers in Singapore: An analysis based on interviews |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/290966006 |department=Research Gate |journal=Asian and Pacific Migration Journal |volume=1 |pages=194–215 |access-date=August 18, 2020}}</ref> Because of this, the members of this third wave are called the "New Immigrants" ({{lang|zh|{{linktext|新|移|民}}}}, <small>[[pinyin|p]]</small> ''Xīnyímín''). They usually speak [[Standard Mandarin]],<ref>{{cite web|date=March 27, 2013|title=Why Chinese nationals and Singaporeans don't get along|url=https://www.asiaone.com/print/News/Latest%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20130327-411776.html|url-status=live|access-date=August 18, 2020|publisher=[[AsiaOne]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028102156/http://www.asiaone.com/print/News/Latest%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20130327-411776.html |archive-date=28 October 2017 }}</ref> the ''lingua franca'' among mainland Chinese groups today, and many speak other [[varieties of Chinese|varieties]] as well. Since the 1990s, the number of mainland Chinese who come to Singapore to study or work has steadily increased every year. Many stay for only a short time and then return to China, but many settle down permanently and become permanent residents or citizens of Singapore.

Today, newer Chinese migrants includes migrant workers working in various industries of the Singapore economy, with a mix of [[blue-collar worker]]s and [[white-collar worker]]s,<ref name="SEAMigration">{{cite book|title=International Migration in Southeast Asia|first1= Aris |last1=A.|first2=Evi|last2=N.A.|date= 27 December 2004 |pages=80–85|publisher= Institute of Southeast Asian Studies |isbn=9789812302793}}</ref> as well as students.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.asiaone.com/News/Education/Story/A1Story20081119-101728.html|title=Is bond-free S'pore scholarship just 'a stepping stone' for China students?|publisher=AsiaOne|date=November 20, 2008|access-date=August 18, 2020}}</ref><ref name="ChineseMigration">{{cite journal|date=March 1, 2013|title=Chinese Migration to Singapore: Discourses and Discontents in a Globalizing Nation-State|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/273313265|journal=Asian and Pacific Migration Journal|publisher=[[National University of Singapore]], [[Royal Holloway, University of London]]|volume=1|issue=22|pages=31–54|access-date=August 18, 2020}}</ref>

==Language==
{{Main|Singaporean Mandarin|Singlish|Singaporean Hokkien}}

{{See also|Language and overseas Chinese communities#Singapore}}
{{More citations needed section|date=August 2011}}
[[File:Junction of Pekin Street and China Street, Singapore, photographed February 1969 × July 1971.jpg|thumb|Bilingual signage at the junction of Pekin Street and China Street, Singapore, photographed February 1969 × July 1971.]]

Traditionally, Singaporean Chinese used their respective mother tongues as their main avenue of communication. Although that led to communication difficulties amongst speakers of more distant [[Varieties of Chinese|topolects]], it has nevertheless forged strong ethnic bonds amongst the Chinese community in Singapore.

But today, the speech of Chinese in Singapore exhibits a great amount of linguistic diversity which includes [[Singapore English|English]], [[Singlish]], [[Singaporean Mandarin|Mandarin]], Singdarin (Colloquial Singaporean Mandarin), [[Singaporean Hokkien|Hokkien]], [[Teochew dialect|Teochew]], [[Cantonese]], [[Hakka]], [[Hainanese]], as well as other languages, with the traditional mother tongues of Singaporean Chinese on the losing end. Most Singaporean Chinese are generally bilingual, speaking both English and Mandarin.

===Before the 1980s===

Before the 1980s, Singaporean Chinese were either English-educated or Chinese-educated ([[Standard Chinese]]). The English-educated Chinese were educated with English as the medium of instruction and learnt little or no Mandarin in school (in such cases, Mandarin became an optional language). As a result, they became affianced to the English-speaking Singaporeans and inevitably distanced from the Mandarin-speaking Singaporeans but were still be able to speak their respective mother tongues. On the other hand, the Chinese-educated were educated with Mandarin as the medium of instruction but learnt little or no English. They usually spoke Mandarin and their respective mother tongues with little or no English. There was a portion of Singaporean Chinese who were bilingual, i.e. simultaneously educated with both English and Mandarin as the medium of instruction, or who attended Chinese-based primary schools and subsequently transferred to English-based schools for their secondary education.

===After the 1980s===

After the 1980s, all schools (including former Chinese-based schools) in Singapore are required to use English as the primary medium of instruction with Mandarin as the designated second language. Thus, Singaporean Chinese educated in after the 1980s are theoretically bilingual.

English is the first language and therefore spoken by all Singaporeans. This was partly due to the policy of Singapore's government to make English the medium of instruction in all schools in the 1980s (including former Chinese-based schools), as well as making English the working language for administration and business in Singapore (in short making English the [[lingua franca]] among all Singaporean). The presence of the English language in Singapore has its roots originating from Singapore's colonial past when Singapore was a British colony. As a result of the government's policy, English or Singlish has become widespread among the residents of Singapore, including but not limited to the Singaporean Chinese, and this especially the case among the younger generations. As of 2010, it was estimated that 32.6% of Singapore Chinese speak English at home.<ref name="Singapore Census 2010">{{cite book|url=http://www.singstat.gov.sg/pubn/popn/C2010sr1/cop2010sr1.pdf|title=Table 4 Resident Population Aged 5 Years and Over by Language Most Frequently Spoken at Home|publisher=Singapore Department of Statistics, Social Statistics Section|page=26|access-date=12 January 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110303155259/http://www.singstat.gov.sg/pubn/popn/C2010sr1/cop2010sr1.pdf|archive-date=3 March 2011}}</ref> But at work or in the city and business district, English is the official [[lingua franca]], but ironically [[Singaporean Hokkien|Hokkien]] remains extant amongst Singaporeans, not limited to the Chinese, and operates as an unofficial common language, reminiscent of Singapore before the 1980s.

[[Singaporean Mandarin|Mandarin]] is another widely spoken language among Singaporean Chinese. As of 2010, it was estimated that 47.7% of Singaporean Chinese speak Mandarin at home.<ref name="Singapore Census 2010"/> Evidently, Singapore government's [[Speak Mandarin Campaign]] was launched in the 1980s to make Mandarin the [[lingua franca]] among the Han Chinese in Singapore.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iasdr2009.org/ap/Papers/Orally%20Presented%20Papers/Society%20in%20Design/Envisioning%20Chinese%20Identity%20and%20Managing%20Multiracialism%20in%20Singapore.pdf|title=Envisioning Chinese Identity and Multiracialism in Singapore|author=Leong Koon Chan|access-date=14 February 2011}}</ref> It was intended to be the language to unify Singaporean Chinese from different topolect groups by replacing the then [[lingua franca]] [[Hokkien]]. This was also because Mandarin was deemed more economically valuable, and speaking Mandarin would help Singaporean Chinese retain their heritage, as Mandarin supposedly contains a cultural repository of values and traditions that are identifiable to all Chinese, regardless of topolect group.<ref>Lionel Wee, (2006). The semiotics of language ideologies in Singapore.</ref> In the 1990s, this campaign began to target the English-speaking Singaporean Chinese. As a result of this campaign, Mandarin became widespread in places such as residential areas, neighbourhood markets and even business districts, with the various mother tongues of Singaporean Chinese falling out of favour among younger Singaporean Chinese. Mandarin is also often spoken in most "traditional Chinese-based" schools, even though English is now their medium of instruction. Colloquially, as with all other languages spoken in Singapore, Singaporean Chinese prefer a localised flavour of mixing words from English, [[Hokkien]], [[Malaysian language|Malay]], and some other varieties, into their Mandarin speech. Most young Singaporean Chinese are capable of conversational Mandarin but are weaker in their ability to write Chinese, or with higher level conversations on complex, specialised topics.

===Variations according to age group===

The linguistic diversity among Singaporean Chinese varies across age groups. Most younger Singaporean Chinese are proficient in both English and Mandarin, whereas older generations, though also able to converse in Mandarin, often prefer other [[Sinitic languages]] such as [[Hokkien]], [[Cantonese]], [[Teochew dialect|Teochew]], [[Hakka]], or [[Hainanese]]. As these south-eastern Sinitic languages are no longer formally taught in schools, the number of fluent speakers has steadily declined. Additionally, many parents communicate with their children primarily in English, viewing it as the principal means of achieving upward social mobility. Consequently, a substantial portion of younger Singaporean Chinese exhibit limited proficiency in Mandarin. This trend is similarly observed among the more westernised Singaporean Chinese Christian community, who generally favour English over other languages.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Tang See Kit |title=IN FOCUS: Are Chinese dialects at risk of dying out in Singapore? |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/chinese-dialects-teochew-hokkien-cantonese-singapore-infocus-3144121 |website=www.channelnewsasia.com |access-date=18 August 2025 |date=17 December 2022}}</ref>

===Debate over preferred language===

The question of which language is preferred in Singapore seem to have caused a debate among Singaporeans recently. The question of declining standards in the command of the Chinese language amongst Singaporean Chinese seems to cause several revisions in the government's education policies towards the Chinese language. The government of Singapore's continued policy towards bilingualism for all Singaporean Chinese, which is to continue to pursue English as the first language while making Mandarin the [[lingua franca]] (or at least the 2nd language or home language) amongst all Chinese has drawn mixed responses. The more English-speaking Singaporean Chinese generally prefer English as the [[lingua franca]] or their home language, while the Mandarin-speakers worry that English will replace Mandarin as the [[lingua franca]], which would eliminate the thin thread of [[Chinese identity]]. With the rising economy of China in the 21st century, which has led to more Singaporean companies requiring fluency in Mandarin, Mandarin has been viewed with greater importance among Singaporean Chinese than before.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/singapore-china-idUSSIN36618920090916| title=Rpt-Feature-Eyeing China, Singapore sees Mandarin as its future|work=Reuters| access-date=14 February 2011|date=16 September 2009}}</ref> Both English and Mandarin will continue to dominate the language scene among Singaporean Chinese.

===Preservation of other Chinese varieties===

There exists a strong need in preserving the many non-Mandarin topolects in Singapore. The decline of [[Chinese folk religion|Chinese indigenous religion]] and [[Taoism]] indicates the serious deterioration of Chinese cultural heritage and values among the younger generation of Singaporean Chinese. Unless the government and Singaporean Chinese have the awareness and take their own initiative in preserving non-Mandarin varieties, they will inevitably disappear from Singapore in the future. There is thus a strong desire to restore the [[Chinese identity]] or risk it falling into extinction one day. This exigency is translated into recently renewed efforts by [[Chinese clan associations]] in Singapore to impart and revive their respective Sinitic mother tongues, which are met with warm reception, including by some of the younger generations. Therefore, there lies a greater challenge for the Chinese community in Singapore – the preservation of the Chinese identity – than just the satisfaction of linguistic domination and material gains.

{| class="wikitable"
|+Language Most Frequently Spoken at Home Among Chinese Resident Population Aged 5 and Over.<ref name="Singapore Census 2010"/><ref name="howardscott.net">{{citation| url=http://www.howardscott.net/4/Swatow_A_Colonial_Heritage/Files/Documentation/Lee%20Eu%20Fah.pdf| work=Singapore Department of Statistics, Social Statistics Section| title=Profile of the Singapore Chinese Dialects| author=Lee, Edmund E. F.| access-date=18 October 2010| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110205010508/http://www.howardscott.net/4/Swatow_A_Colonial_Heritage/Files/Documentation/Lee%20Eu%20Fah.pdf| archive-date=5 February 2011| url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=18 December 2021|title=Census of Population 2020 Statistical Release 1|url=https://www.singstat.gov.sg/-/media/files/publications/cop2020/sr1/cop2020sr1.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616140520/https://www.singstat.gov.sg/-/media/files/publications/cop2020/sr1/cop2020sr1.pdf |archive-date=16 June 2021 }}</ref>
|-
! Home language !! 1990 ('000) !! 2000 ('000) !! 1990 (%) !! 2000 (%) !! 2010 (%)
!2020 (%)
|-
| Total || 1,884.0 || 2,236.1 || 100.0 || 100.0 || 100.0
|100.0
|-
| English || 363.4 || 533.9 || 19.3 || 23.9 || 32.6
|47.6
|-
| Mandarin || 566.2 || 1,008.5 || 30.1 || 45.1 || 47.7
|40.2
|-
| Other Chinese Topolects || 948.1 || 685.8 || 50.3 || 30.7 || 19.2
|11.8
|-
| Others || 6.4 || 7.9 || 0.3 || 0.4 || 0.4
|0.4
|}

==Socioeconomics==
[[File:KITLV - 15275 - Lambert & Co., G.R. - Singapore - Chinese locksmith at Singapore - circa 1900.tif|thumb|right|Chinese locksmith in [[Singapore]], circa 1900.]]

===Education===
Alongside other ethnic groups, Singaporeans of Chinese descent from all social backgrounds and occupations have achieved significant upward advances in their educational levels, income, and life expectancy and experienced other social indicators. Singapore's rapid industrialisation between the 1960s and the 1990s has lifted numerous people out of poverty and has created a broad middle class for many Singaporeans. During the period of rapid economic growth in the process, many Chinese began to experience upward social mobility for the first time in their lives. In 2000, Singaporean Chinese represented the second-highest proportion of university graduates after the Indian Singaporeans and their new citizenship holders.<ref>{{cite book|last=Singapore Department of Statistics|title=Changing Education Profile of Singapore Population|date=June 2002|publisher=Singapore Department of Statistics|location=Hong Kong University of Science and Technology SAR|url=http://www.singstat.gov.sg/pubn/papers/people/cp-education.pdf|access-date=7 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101113152228/http://www.singstat.gov.sg/pubn/papers/people/cp-education.pdf|archive-date=13 November 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2008, 86.2% of Singaporean Chinese students achieved a minimum of 5 passes at O-level, the exams taken by 15- and 16-year-olds, compared to 59.3% for Singaporean Malays and 73% for Singaporean Indians.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bland|first=Ben|title=Singapore government dodges Malay education issue again|url=http://asiancorrespondent.com/29145/singapore-government-dodges-malay-education-issue-again/|publisher=Asian Correspondent|access-date=7 May 2012|archive-date=16 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016072251/http://asiancorrespondent.com/29145/singapore-government-dodges-malay-education-issue-again/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

According to the 2010 Census, 22.6% of Singaporean Chinese have achieved a bachelor's degree, a figure below the national average of 22.8% and remained the second highest after the Indian Singaporeans because Singaporean Indians had a larger increase in the proportion of university graduates compared with Singaporean Chinese and Singaporean Malays. The increase in the proportion of Indian university graduates was mostly due to the inflow of Indian permanent residents with university qualifications. Some 60 per cent of Indian permanent residents were university graduates in 2005, up from 51 per cent in 2000.<ref>{{cite book|last=SingStat|first=SingStat|title=Key Indicators|date=February 2011|publisher=Government of Singapore|location=Singapore|pages=2|url=http://www.singstat.gov.sg/pubn/popn/c2010sr2/indicators.pdf|access-date=26 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317025348/http://www.singstat.gov.sg/pubn/popn/c2010sr2/indicators.pdf|archive-date=17 March 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Education and Language |year=2005|publisher=Singaporean Statistics Bureau|location=Singapore|url=http://www.singstat.gov.sg/pubn/popn/ghsr1/chap2.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326052305/http://www.singstat.gov.sg/pubn/popn/ghsr1/chap2.pdf|archive-date=26 March 2012}}</ref>

===Employment===
As of 2005, 47.3% of Singaporean Chinese work in select white-collar occupations compared with the national average of 44.8%.<ref name="SingStat 2005 1–2">{{cite book|last=SingStat|first=SingStat|title=Key Indicators|year=2005|publisher=Government of Singapore|location=Singapore|pages=1–2|url=http://www.singstat.gov.sg/pubn/popn/ghsr1/indicators.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070919204403/http://www.singstat.gov.sg/pubn/popn/ghsr1/indicators.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 September 2007}}</ref> The labour force participation rate was 63.6% contrasting towards the national average of 63.0%.<ref name="SingStat 2005 1–2"/> This figure was up from 46.2% in 2000 and was highest participation rate during that year in the white collar workforce among the three major ethnic groups in Singapore.<ref>{{cite journal | url=http://s3.amazonaws.com/zanran_storage/www.singstat.gov.sg/ContentPages/8823241.pdf | title=The Resident Labour Fource | journal=Economic Characteristics of the Resident Population | year=2000}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | url=http://www.singstat.gov.sg/pubn/popn/c2000adr/chap6.pdf | title= The Resident Labour Fource | journal=SingStat | year=2000}}</ref>

===Economics===
{{main|Bamboo network|Economy of Singapore}}

While elsewhere in Southeast Asia where the Overseas Chinese constitute a market-dominant minority, Singaporean Chinese in direct contrast represent a market-dominant majority.<ref name="World On Fire">{{Cite book|title=World On Fire|last=Chua|first=Amy|publisher=Knopf Doubleday Publishing|year=2003|isbn=978-0-385-72186-8|page=[https://archive.org/details/worldonfirehowex00chua_0/page/178 178]|url=https://archive.org/details/worldonfirehowex00chua_0/page/178}}</ref><ref name="auto5">{{Cite book |title=World On Fire |last=Chua |first=Amy |publisher=Knopf Doubleday Publishing |year=2003 |isbn=978-0385721868 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/worldonfirehowex00chua_0/page/46 46] |url=https://archive.org/details/worldonfirehowex00chua_0/page/46 }}</ref> Amounting to nearly three-quarters of the Singaporean population, Singaporeans of Chinese ancestry are estimated to control 81 percent of Singapore's publicly listed companies by market capitalisation, 96 percent of the nation's entire economy, in addition to contributing to 80 percent of Singapore's entire [[Gross National Product|GNP]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Choi (최) |first1=Ho-Rim (호 림) |title=동남아의 중국인과 중국문화 |url=https://www.aseankorea.org/kor/Activities/activities_view.asp?boa_num=9603 |website=정보자료  |date=17 November 2015 |publisher=ASEAN-Korea Centre |access-date=14 July 2022|pages=9 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330205843/https://www.aseankorea.org/aseanZone/downloadFile2.asp?boa_filenum=2722 |archive-date=30 March 2023}}</ref>{{dubious |date=August 2024}}<ref name="Chua 2003, p. 47">Chua (2003), p. 47.</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=Managing Across Diverse Cultures in East Asia: Issues and Challenges in a Changing Globalized World |last=  Warner |first=Malcolm |publisher=  Routledge |year=2013 |isbn= 978-0415680905 |pages=241}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=The Chinese Diaspora: Space, Place, Mobility, and Identity (Why of Where) |last= Ma  |first=Laurence J. C. |publisher= Rowman & Littlefield Publishers |year=2002 |isbn=978-0742517561 |pages=98}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Yeung |first1=Henry |title=Corporate Governance and the Global Reach of Chinese Family Firms in Singapore |journal=Seoul Journal of Economics  |publication-date= January 6, 2000 |volume=13 |issue=3|pages=308}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=Chinese Capitalism in a Global Era: Towards Hybrid Capitalism |last=Wai-chung Yeung |first=Henry  |publisher=Routledge |year=2006 |isbn= 9780415408585 |pages=13 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=East Asian Transformation: On the Political Economy of Dynamism, Governance and Crisis |last= Henderson |first= Jeffrey  |year= 2011 |publisher=Routledge |page=69 |isbn= 9780415547925}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=Asian Firms: History, Institutions and Management   |last= Tipton  |first=Frank B.  |publisher=Edward Elgar Publishing |year=2008 |isbn=978-1847205148|pages=277}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=China's Communist Revolutions: Fifty Years of The People's Republic of China |last1= Draguhn |first1=Werner |last2= Goodman  |first2=Gary S.G.  |publisher=Routledge |year=2002 |isbn= 978-0700716302 |publication-date=25 October 2002 |pages=271}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=Overseas Chinese Entrepreneurship and Capitalist Development in Southeast Asia |last=Gambe |first=Annabelle |year= 2000 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |pages=10 |isbn=978-0312234966}}</ref><ref name="Vatikiotis February 12th 1998">{{cite book|last=Vatikiotis|first=Michael|url=http://www.chaihah.co.th/docs/Far%20Eastern%20Economic%20Review%20260698.pdf|title=Entrepreneurs|date=12 February 1998|publisher=Far Eastern Economic Review|location=Bangkok}}</ref><ref name="faqs.org">{{cite web|title=Chinese of Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines – World Directory of Minorities|url=http://www.faqs.org/minorities/South-East-Asia/Chinese-of-Indonesia-Malaysia-and-the-Philippines.html|access-date=23 April 2012|publisher=Faqs.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VrO3O0h6I0wC&q=ethnic+chinese+owned+percent+of+the+gnp&pg=PA41 |title=Asian Brand Strategy: How Asia Builds Strong Brands – Martin Roll – Google Books |access-date=23 April 2012|isbn=9780230513068 |date=17 October 2005 |last1=Roll |first1=M. |publisher=Springer }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=piNfUHUmPG8C&q=overseas+chinese+control+percent+of+the+economy&pg=PA152 |title=Business Networks in Asia: Promises, Doubts, and Perspectives – Google Books |access-date=23 April 2012|isbn=9781567203028 |year=1999 |last1=Richter |first1=Frank-Jürgen |publisher=Bloomsbury Academic }}</ref> Characterized as a diminutive yet prosperous outsider nation surrounded and standing out amidst its geographically larger, politically unstable, technologically underdeveloped, and economically impoverished Southeast Asian counterparts that have remained hostile to the city-state's continued existence since its founding. Throughout the far reaches of Maritime Southeast Asia, Singapore itself is known and regarded as a "small Chinese Island in a Muslim Sea," as Singaporean Chinese are reputed for their enterprising disposition, entrepreneurial prowess, financial savvy, and investment acumen that has led them to being regarded as the "[[Jew]] of the Orient" as a result of the community's extensive economic influence that pervasively permeates throughout the country and the wider regional Southeast Asian economic outspread at large.<ref name="World On Fire"/><ref name=FJR152>{{Cite book |title=Business Networks in Asia: Promises, Doubts, and Perspectives |last=Richter |first=Frank-Jürgen |publisher=Praeger |year=1999 |isbn=978-1567203028 |pages=192}}</ref>  Chinese-owned Singaporean businesses form a part of the larger [[bamboo network]], an umbrella network of [[Overseas Chinese]] businesses operating in the markets of Southeast Asia that share common family, ethnic, and cultural ties.<ref name="Weidenbaum">{{cite book|author=Murray L Weidenbaum|title=The Bamboo Network: How Expatriate Chinese Entrepreneurs are Creating a New Economic Superpower in Asia|url=https://archive.org/details/bamboonetworkhow00weid|url-access=registration|date=1 January 1996|publisher=Martin Kessler Books, Free Press|isbn=978-0-684-82289-1|pages=[https://archive.org/details/bamboonetworkhow00weid/page/4 4]–8}}</ref> Given contemporary China's growing [[Economy of the People's Republic of China|economic strength]], a number of Singaporean Chinese businessmen and investors have turned to their ancestral roots through [[Kongsi|clan association]]s to rekindle with their Han Chinese ancestry as well as to exhibit a sense of ethnic pride by expressing their homage, tribute, and honour to their forgone ancestors by partaking in China's economic development through the pursuit overseas business and investment opportunities offered in the country. Many have begun to regain consciousness of their ancestral roots by reining in on the plethora of business and investment opportunities presented as a result of the country's spectacular economic growth over the last four decades, by reinvigorating and revitalizing the economic development of their ancestral hometowns through the pursuit of various business and investment opportunities such as real estate development and property investing.

Measured in 1990 dollars, the average household monthly income rose from S$3,080 in 1990 to S$4,170 in 2000 at an average annual rate of 2.8%.  According to the 2005 Singaporean census, both the average and median monthly income for Singaporeans of Chinese origin were (S$3,610 and $2,500 respectively), exceeded the national average. The household and median income for Singaporean Chinese commonly exceed the national average where it remained the highest out of the three major ethnic groups in 2000. Singaporean Chinese held the second-highest median and average household income among all three major ethnic groups in Singapore after [[Singaporean Indian]]s in 2010.<ref name="Singapore Stat">{{cite journal|last=Singapore Stat|author2=Singapore Stat|title=Education and Language |journal=Singapore Stat|url=http://www.singstat.gov.sg/stats/themes/people/hhldindicators.pdf|access-date=7 May 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Ong|first=Andrea|title=Households smaller but more affluent|year=2011|publisher=The Straits Times|url=http://www.spp.nus.edu.sg/ips/docs/media/yr2011/ST_Households%20smaller%20but%20more%20affluent_160211.pdf|access-date=10 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110409010549/http://www.spp.nus.edu.sg/ips/docs/media/yr2011/ST_Households%20smaller%20but%20more%20affluent_160211.pdf|archive-date=9 April 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
|+ '''Monthly household income from work by ethnic group of head (2000 and 2010)'''<ref name="Singapore Stat"/> 
|-
! rowspan="2" | Ethnic group
! colspan="2" | Average household income ([[SGD]]$)<br />
! colspan="2" | Median household income ([[SGD]]$)<br />
|-
! 2000
! 2010
! 2000
! 2010
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''4,988'''
|'''7,214'''
|'''3,638'''
|'''5,000'''
|-
|Chinese
|5,258
|7,326
|3,800
|5,100
|-
|Malays
|3,151
|4,575
|2,709
|3,844
|-
|Indians
|4,623
|7,664
|3,438
|5,370
|-
|Others
|7,446
|11,518
|4,870
|7,432
|}

==Singaporean education system==
{{Further|Nanyang University}}
Singapore's Chinese education began with the establishment of old-style private Chinese schools (known as "Sishu 私塾") by early Chinese immigrants during the 19th century. These schools predominantly used various southern Chinese varieties (such as [[Hokkien]]) as its medium to teach [[Chinese classics]]. In the 1920s, as influenced by China's [[New Cultural Movement]], many [[Chinese schools]] in Singapore began to change its medium of instruction to [[Mandarin Chinese|Mandarin]]. During the British colonial times, the colonial government generally allowed the Chinese community in Singapore to organise and develop its own system of Chinese education. By the 1930s and 1940s, with donations and funding from the public, more Chinese organisations began to set up more Chinese schools. In 1953, the chairman of [[Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan]], Mr.[[Tan Lark Sye]] organised and helped to establish the first overseas Chinese-medium university ([[Nanyang University]]) in Singapore, leading to the establishment of a well-structured Chinese-medium education system (from primary school to university) in Singapore.

However, after the 1960s, the left-wing, communist ideology of the People's Republic of China conflicted with the capitalist policy of Singapore. To attract western investment, the Singaporean government decided to make English its main [[lingua franca]] and working language. To prevent Singaporean Chinese from being influenced by left-wing political thoughts, Singapore greatly promoted English and attempted to end Chinese education. Singaporean Chinese were encouraged to attend English-medium schools for economic reasons; this was also a strategy to head off communist influence. Due to lesser proficiency in English, Chinese-educated Singaporeans often encountered discrimination and difficulty in finding jobs in Singapore. Thus, the majority of Chinese Singaporeans sent their children to English-medium schools for better job prospects, causing the number of students registered at Chinese-medium schools to drop annually. All these factors (including biased government policies) led to the Chinese-medium education system being abolished in Singapore.

{{Main|Education in Singapore|Special Assistance Plan}}

Since the early 1980s, the Singapore government gradually abolished the Chinese-medium education system in Singapore. Apart from Chinese language and moral education subjects, all subjects are taught in English. However, to make sure that Singaporean Chinese still maintain and preserve their mother tongue (Chinese) culture, the Singapore government implemented the teaching of Chinese language in all schools. Although Singaporean Chinese belong to a number of Southern Chinese clans and spoke various Southern Chinese varieties, all Singaporean Chinese had to learn [[Mandarin Chinese]] as their "second language". Singapore also established the [[Special Assistance Plan|Special Assistance Plan Schools]]. These were formerly traditional Chinese-medium schools and were tasked with the nurturing of Chinese language and cultural talents. The Chinese subject in Singapore did not just involve the teaching of Chinese; it was also tasked with the mission of transmitting [[Chinese Culture|Chinese cultural]] values to Singaporean Chinese but has not been successful at all. Because of the continuation of Chinese education in Singapore, the Singaporean Chinese are generally able to speak, read, and write simple Chinese. However, the destruction of Chinese-medium education system in Singapore has been causing the younger generation of Singaporean Chinese to gradually losing their heritage and roots.

==Culture==
{{Main|Chinese culture|Culture of Singapore}}

{{More citations needed section|date=August 2011}}
Since most Singaporean Chinese trace their ancestral origins to southern China, their culture generally has a closer affinity with southern Chinese culture (predominantly that of [[Fujian]], Guangdong and [[Hainan]]) This is especially true in terms of various southern Chinese dialects, customs, cultural, and religious practices in Singapore.

Although Singaporean culture is diverse in nature, Singapore is one of the few countries outside [[Greater China]] with a vibrant Chinese-speaking presence. On one glance, Singapore's infrastructure and environment might seem Western, but on closer observation, certain aspects of Chinese culture is generally present across all corners of Singapore. This includes the widespread use of different [[varieties of Chinese|Chinese varieties]], various Chinese writings across Singapore, various Chinese press and entertainment media, a thriving Chinese pop culture, various Chinese organisations, Chinese cultural festivals, Chinese opera, Chinese religious activities, Chinese bookshops etc.


===Linguistics influence===
Mandarin and other Chinese varieties are spoken by the Singaporean Chinese. They influence the way other Non-Chinese languages are spoken in Singapore. For instance, [[Singlish]] is known to be greatly influenced by [[Singaporean Hokkien]] and [[Singaporean Mandarin]] in terms of grammar, syntax and lexicon.

===Religion===
[[File:Thian Hock Keng Temple 14, Dec 05.JPG|thumb|upright=1.2|right|[[Thian Hock Keng]] temple courtyard and front of the main temple]]
{{Main|Singaporean Chinese religion}}

{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Religion of Singaporean Chinese (2020)<ref name="2020Religion">{{Cite web |last= |date=2021-06-16 |title=20% of Singapore residents have no religion, an increase from the last population census|url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/census-2020-more-residents-no-religion-15023964|access-date=2021-06-17|website=Channel News Asia}}</ref>
|label1 = [[Buddhism]] 
|value1 = 40.4
|color1 = Gold
|label2 = [[Irreligion|No Religion]]
|value2 = 25.7
|color2 = White
|label3 = [[Protestantism|Protestantism and other non-Catholic]]
|value3 = 14.5
|color3 = Blue
|label4 = [[Taoism]] and [[Chinese folk religion|other Chinese religions]]
|value4 = 11.6
|color4 = Red
|label5 = [[Roman Catholicism]]
|value5 = 7.1
|color5 = Purple
|label6 = [[Islam]]
|value6 = 0.5
|color6 = Green
|label7 = Other religion
|value7 = 0.3
|color7 = Chartreuse
}}

According to the latest 2020 Census, 40.4% of Singapore's Chinese population declared themselves as Buddhists, 25.7% non-religious, 21.6% Christians, 11.6% Taoists and 0.8% other religions, as stated in the following statistics.

{|class="wikitable"
!Religion
!Number <br /> (2020)
!Percentage
|-
| [[Buddhism in Singapore|Buddhism]] || 1,052,114 || 40.4%
|-
| [[Irreligion in Singapore|No religion]] || 669,097 || 25.7%
|-
| [[Christianity in Singapore|Christianity]] || 562,681 || 21.6%
|-
| <small>''[[Roman Catholicism in Singapore|Roman Catholicism]]''</small> || <small>''184,158''</small> || <small>''7.1%''</small>
|-
| <small>''[[Protestantism]] and other Christians''</small> || <small>''378,703''</small> || <small>''14.5%''</small>
|-
| [[Taoism in Singapore|Taoism]] || 303,095 || 11.6%
|-
| [[Islam in Singapore|Islam]] || 11,953 || 0.5%
|-
| Other religions || 7,761 || 0.3%
|}

The majority of Singaporean Chinese register themselves as Buddhists or Taoists. Recent decades have seen a slight increase in adherence to Christianity and those who identify as irreligious. In Singapore, [[Chinese folk religion]]s which includes [[Chinese ancestor worship|ancestral worship]] and the worship of certain Patron Deities are usually classified under Taoism. [[Chinese ancestral worship]] is an important traditional practise among [[Oversea Chinese]], it is still commonly practiced by Taoists, most Chinese Buddhists and some of the non-religious Chinese. There are over one thousand Chinese temples in Singapore,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/nus-led-crowdsourcing-project-to-map-over-1000-chinese-temples-here|title=NUS-led crowdsourcing project to map over 1,000 Chinese temples here|publisher=straitstimes.com|date=8 May 2017|access-date=19 December 2020|author-first1=Melody|author-last1=Zaccheus}}</ref> some of notable century-old Chinese temples in Singapore are [[Thian Hock Keng Temple]], [[Yueh Hai Ching Temple]], [[Hong San See|Hong San See Temple]], [[Tan Si Chong Su|Po Chiak Keng Temple]], [[Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple]] and [[Siong Lim Temple]].

===Cuisine===
{{Main|Chinese cuisine|Cuisine of Singapore}}

Many Singaporean Chinese dishes were adapted by early Chinese immigrants to suit local circumstances (such as available ingredients) and cannot strictly be considered mainstream [[Chinese cuisine]]. Nevertheless, these dishes exhibited local Singaporean Chinese flavours and tastes. Most local Singaporean Chinese dishes such as [[Bak kut teh]], [[Mee pok]], [[Ban mian]], [[Hakka Yong Tau Hu]], [[Char kway teow]], [[Chee cheong fun]], [[Hokkien mee]], [[Hainanese chicken rice]], [[Hakka Lei Cha]], [[Wan ton mee]], and [[Popiah]] can still be easily found in food centres throughout Singapore. Some Singaporean Chinese are vegetarians, as they may be devoted followers of [[Chinese Buddhism]] or other [[Chinese religions of fasting|Chinese religious traditions]]. With the influx of new migrants from all parts of China in the 21st century, Chinese cuisine of a variety of regional flavours and tastes can be found across Chinese restaurants in [[Chinatown, Singapore]] or in other regions of Singapore, such as [[Szechuan cuisine|Sichuanese cuisine]], northeastern Chinese cuisine etc.

===Chinese-language media===
In [[Singapore]], [[Mandarin Chinese]] is generally propagated through various [[Mandarin Chinese]] national [[free-to-air]] [[terrestrial television|television broadcast terrestrial]] [[media (communication)|media station]] ([[Channel 8 (Singaporean TV channel)|MediaCorp TV Channel 8]] and [[Channel U (Singaporean TV channel)|MediaCorp TV Channel U]]), [[cable television]] ([[StarHub TV]] and [[Singtel TV]]) and [[radio channel]]s (including [[Capital 95.8FM|MediaCorp Radio Capital 95.8FM]]). Most media in other [[China|Chinese]] varieties (such as those of [[Hokkien]] and [[Cantonese]]) are [[general]]ly [[Censorship|censored]] in the mainstream [[Chinese language|Chinese]] media of [[Singapore]], except for some [[broadcasting]] on Channel 8 and [[Okto]] (Such as Soap opera and government-funded mini Chinese dialect show that caters for older generation), and in [[radio channel]] Capital 95.8FM. [[Taiwanese Hokkien]] media from [[Taiwan]] and [[Cantonese]] media from [[Hong Kong]] are however easily available for sale in [[Retail shop|shop]]s of [[Singapore]] and also present in [[Karaoke]] [[Bar (establishment)|lounges]]. Some [[cable television|cable television channels]] in [[Singapore]] (e.g. [[StarHub TV]]) also have begun to have [[China|Chinese]]-based [[Chinese language|Chinese-language]] media (e.g. [[CCTV-4|CCTV-4 Chinese International Channel (Asia)]]) and [[Cantonese|Cantonese-language]] media from [[Hong Kong]] (e.g. [[TVB Jade#Singapore, Australia and Indonesia|TVB Jade Satellite Channel (Southeast Asia)]]).

;Chinese press
The major Chinese-language [[newspaper]] in Singapore is ''[[Lianhe Zaobao]]'', which was formed by a merger of two of the country's oldest Chinese-language newspaper. ''Lianhe Zaobao'' was critical in maintaining the [[China|Chinese]] literary scene in [[Singapore]]. In addition to this are other [[newspaper]]s such as ''[[Lianhe Zaobao Sunday]]'', ''[[Lianhe Wanbao]]'', ''[[Shin Min Daily News]]'', ''[[My Paper]]'' (prints in both English and Mandarin), ''[[zbCOMMA]]'' (早报逗号), ''Thumbs Up'' (大拇指) and ''Thumbs Up Junior'' (小拇指).

===Literature in Chinese===
Singapore has a thriving literary scene in Chinese. The [[Singapore Association of Writers]] (新加坡作家协会) regularly publish [[Singapore Chinese Literature Journal]] (新华文学), an anthology of literary works by Singaporean Chinese. A number of writers (or poets) including [[You Jin]], [[Wang Runhua]] (王润华), [[Liu Duanjin]] (刘瑞金), [[Rongzi]] (蓉子) etc. had contributed to the Singapore Chinese literary scene.

The Singapore Chinese literature reflected the immigration and social-historical changes in Singapore. Singapore Chinese literature had its roots from Malaysian Chinese literature, as Singapore was part of Malaya before independence. Early Chinese immigrants started with the establishment of Chinese schools and Chinese press and as such began to create works of literature.

Early Chinese literary magazines such as ''New Citizens'' (新國民雜志), ''Southern Wind'' (南風), and ''Singapore Light'' (星光) in Singapore portrayed the lifestyle of immigrants in the pre-war period.

During the 1950s, most of the writers in Singapore had literary works portraying the lifestyle of all social spheres of Singapore. These literary works contain large use of local Chinese slang, creating unique localised literary works. The active writers at that time include [[Miao Xiu]] (苗秀), [[Yaozhi]] (姚紫), [[Zhaorong (Singapore)|Zhaorong]] (赵戎) and [[Shushu]] (絮絮).

After Singapore's independence in 1965, the Chinese literature in Singapore began to separate from Malaysian Chinese literature and continued to develop on its own.

===Festivals===
<blockquote>See also: [[Chinese New Year customs in Singapore]]</blockquote>Traditional Chinese festivals are celebrated in Singapore including [[Chinese New Year]], [[Qingming Festival]] (also known as Tomb Sweeping Festival), [[Dragon Boat Festival]], [[Zhong Yuan Festival]], [[Mooncake Festival|Mid-Autumn Festival]], [[Birthday of the Monkey God]], [[Nine Emperor Gods Festival]] and [[Dongzhi Festival]]. Certain traditional Chinese festivals are made public holidays, including [[Chinese New Year]]. There existed some differences in the Singapore Chinese festival customs as compared to that from mainland China and Taiwan. For instance, it was common to carry lantern during mooncake festivals, but mainland China and Taiwan only practise carrying lanterns on 15 January lunar calendar. There is also an annual pilgrimage to Kusu Island on the ninth lunar month, where Chinese devotees will visit the Tua Pek Kong Temple and three Keramat shrines on the island.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.roots.gov.sg/ich-landing/ich/pilgrimage-to-kusu-island|title=Pilgrimage to Kusu Island|website=www.roots.gov.sg}}</ref>

===Music===
''[[Xinyao]]'' is a genre of songs that is unique to [[Singapore]].<ref name="eresources.nlb.gov.sg">{{Cite web |title=Xinyao &#124; Infopedia |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_2015-02-17_175438.html |website=eresources.nlb.gov.sg}}</ref> It is a contemporary Mandarin vocal genre that emerged and rose to fame in Singapore between the late 1970s to 1980s.<ref>Miller, Terry E and Sean Williams. In The Garland Handbook of Southeast Asian Music. New York: Routledge, 2008.</ref> ''Xinyao'' songs are composed and sung by [[Singaporeans]] and it is an outlet for them to express their thoughts and feelings around themes like friendships or love stories.

Singapore also features a thriving Chinese pop music scene and are known for producing Mandopop artists such as [[JJ Lin]], [[Stefanie Sun]], [[Tanya Chua]] etc. Singapore is also known for holding Chinese music concerts and festivals, including the Taiwanese-originated Spring Wave Singapore Music Festival in 2013.

==Cultural differences with mainland Chinese==
[[File:Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore Making a Toast at a State Dinner Held in His Honor, 1975.jpg|thumb|200px|Prime Minister [[Lee Kuan Yew]] often highlighted Singapore's distinct identity, stressing that Singaporean Chinese are culturally, politically and socially different from the Chinese in China, and that shared ancestry does not mean shared loyalty.]]

There exist considerable differences between Singaporean Chinese and [[Mainland China|mainland Chinese]] in terms of mindset, culture and language.<ref name="SCPRC">{{cite journal |last1=Ng |first1=Ashton |title=The divisiveness of Chinese identities in Singapore |journal=International Communication of Chinese Culture |date=December 2021 |volume=8 |issue=4 |pages=465–481 |doi=10.1007/s40636-021-00235-z |url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40636-021-00235-z |access-date=18 August 2025}}</ref> While the Chinese in China are often [[Sinocentrism|Sinocentric]] in outlook, Singaporean Chinese are educated in English-medium schools (with Mandarin taught as a second language) and are shaped by both Western and regional Asian influences. This stems from Singapore's history as being part of the [[British Empire]] (initially [[Singapore in the Straits Settlements|within the Straits Settlements]] and later as a [[Colony of Singapore|crown colony]]) as well as interactions with their fellow [[Malay Singaporeans|Malay]] and [[Indian Singaporeans|Indian]] citizens of the country. Consequently, Singaporean Chinese culture reflects a synthesis of southern Chinese traditions, local practices influenced by the Malay and Indian communities as well as elements of Western culture, particularly those inherited from the British.<ref name="SCPRC"/>

In [[Singapore]], the term "Chinese" is commonly recognised in both [[geographical]] and [[Ethnicity|ethnic]]-[[Culture|cultural]] senses as linked to [[Greater China]], rather than being directly identified with the modern [[People's Republic of China]], whose citizens are regarded [[Chinese nationals in Singapore|separately]] within [[Singapore]]. Scholars emphasise that "Chineseness" among Chinese Singaporeans is shaped more by cultural and historical identity than political affiliation, with loyalty grounded firmly in the host nation.<ref name="SCI"/> The Singaporean government has also underscored that Chinese Singaporean cultural identity is distinct and not aligned ideologically with China.<ref name="SCI"/> As a result, many Singaporeans of Han ancestry often identify simply as Singaporean, acknowledging that they are culturally separate from mainland China Chinese.<ref name="SGCN"/><ref name="SCPRC"/>

Linguistic contrasts between the two groups are also conspicuous; [[Singaporean Mandarin]] exhibits distinct accents, terms and usages compared with [[Standard Mandarin|mainland Mandarin]]. Singaporean Chinese would speak [[Singlish]] or [[Singaporean Mandarin#Colloquial Singaporean Mandarin|Singdarin]], which incorporates loan words from the [[Malay language|Malay]] and [[Tamil language|Tamil]] languages, as well as frequently [[code-switching]] between English, Mandarin and other varieties of Chinese, particularly [[Singaporean Hokkien]].<ref>{{cite journal|title=Code-switching in the Classroom: A Taboo Norm|url=http://singteach.nie.edu.sg/issue09-ideas01/|publisher=[[National Institute of Education]]|journal=SingTeach|issue=9|date=October 2007|first1=Goh|last1=Hock Huan|first2=Zhao|last2=Chunsheng}}</ref> Likewise, ''[[Erhua]]'' is entirely absent in Singaporean Mandarin, in stark contrast to its prevalence in mainland Mandarin particularly among speakers from northern and central China. Local Chinese varieties such as Hokkien, [[Teochew Min|Teochew]] and [[Cantonese]] have likewise undergone significant acculturation, diverging from their counterparts in China while remaining largely mutually intelligible.

A 2016 study found that only 52% of Singaporean Chinese generally agreed that they shared a similar culture with Chinese students from China.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Tran Nhi Bach Van|last2=Duong Thi Hoang Yen|last3=Xiao Juan|last4=Sun Chenhui|date=2016|title=The Integration of International Chinese Students Into Local Singaporean Community (page 80)|url=http://www.davidpublisher.com/Public/uploads/Contribute/57188ba8ad1b6.pdf|url-status=live|journal=Journal of Tourism and Hospitality Management|publisher=[[James Cook University Singapore]]|volume=4|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210821094238/http://www.davidpublisher.com/Public/uploads/Contribute/57188ba8ad1b6.pdf|archive-date=2021-08-21}}</ref> Since the start of the 21st century, relations between Singaporean Chinese and newer Chinese immigrants have also at times been strained, partly due to cultural and social differences between Singaporean descendants of southern Chinese immigrants from more than a century ago and newer immigrants from various regions of China.<ref>{{cite web|last=Peidong|first=Yang|title=Why Chinese nationals and S'poreans don't always get along|url=http://www.singapolitics.sg/views/why-chinese-nationals-and-sporeans-dont-always-get-along/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130821093154/http://www.singapolitics.sg/views/why-chinese-nationals-and-sporeans-dont-always-get-along/|archive-date=21 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Peidong|first=Yang|title=Why Chinese nationals and S'poreans don't always get along (Part 2)|url=http://www.singapolitics.sg/news/pt-iiwhy-chinese-nationals-and-sporeans-dont-always-get-along/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130821093255/http://www.singapolitics.sg/news/pt-iiwhy-chinese-nationals-and-sporeans-dont-always-get-along/|archive-date=21 August 2013}}</ref>

== Genetics ==
Singaporean Chinese are formed through an ancient admixture event, coinciding with [[Southward expansion of the Han dynasty|Han settlement in southern China]]. They predominantly have Southern Han Chinese-related ancestry (77%) and a combination of ancestries related to [[Kinh Vietnamese]], [[Dai people|Dai]] and Malays (33%). They are closely related to Peranakan Chinese but have less recent Malay-related ancestry (1.08% for Singaporean Chinese vs. ∼5.62% for Peranakan Chinese).<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Wu |first=Degang |last2=Li |first2=Peter Yiqing |last3=Pan |first3=Bangfen |last4=Tiang |first4=Zenia |display-authors=3 |date=2021 |title=Genetic Admixture in the Culturally Unique Peranakan Chinese Population in Southeast Asia |url=https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8476152/#sec7 |journal=Molecular Biology and Evolution |volume=38 |issue=10 |pages=4463–4474 |via=NCBI}}</ref> Singaporean Chinese are also closely related to Cantonese people and Taiwanese Han and do not share similar affinities with other Sino-Tibetan-speaking populations.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Lo |first1=Yun-Hua |last2=Cheng |first2=Hsueh-Chien |last3=Hsiung |first3=Chia-Ni |last4=Yang |first4=Show-Ling |last5=Wang |first5=Han-Yu |last6=Peng |first6=Chia-Wei |last7=Chen |first7=Chun-Yu |last8=Lin |first8=Kung-Ping |last9=Kang |first9=Mei-Ling |last10=Chen |first10=Chien-Hsiun |last11=Chu |first11=Hou-Wei |date=2021-10-01 |title=Detecting Genetic Ancestry and Adaptation in the Taiwanese Han People |url=https://doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msaa276 |url-status=live |journal=Molecular Biology and Evolution |volume=38 |issue=10 |pages=4149–4165 |doi=10.1093/molbev/msaa276 |issn=0737-4038 |pmc=8476137 |pmid=33170928 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411133753/https://academic.oup.com/mbe/article/38/10/4149/5955855 |archive-date=2023-04-11 |access-date=2021-10-19}}</ref>

==Notable people==

===Politics===
*[[Ong Eng Guan]], first and only duly elected Mayor of Singapore
*[[Lee Kuan Yew]], 1st Prime Minister of Singapore and [[Founding Father]] of Singapore.
*[[Goh Chok Tong]], 2nd Prime Minister of Singapore.
*[[Lee Hsien Loong]], 3rd Prime Minister of Singapore.
*[[Wee Kim Wee]], 4th President of Singapore
*[[Ong Teng Cheong]], 5th President of Singapore
*[[Tony Tan Keng Yam]], 7th President of Singapore
*[[Toh Chin Chye]], 1st Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore.
*[[Goh Keng Swee]], 2nd Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore.
*[[Ong Pang Boon]], former Cabinet Minister.
*[[Wong Kan Seng]], 9th Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore.
*[[Heng Swee Keat]], Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore
*[[Teo Chee Hean]], Senior Minister of Singapore
*[[Lim Yew Hock]], 2nd Chief Minister of Singapore.
*[[Chiam See Tong]], 6th and 8th Leader of the Opposition.
*[[Low Thia Khiang]], 9th Leader of the Opposition.
*[[Lawrence Wong]], Prime Minister of Singapore

===Business===
*[[Tan Tock Seng]], served as acting Kapitan China of Singapore (government-appointed head of the Chinese community) and founder of [[Tan Tock Seng Hospital]].
*[[Tan Kim Ching]], served as Kapitan China of the Chinese community, was also the consul for Japan, Siam and Russia, and was a member of the Royal Court of Siam.
*[[Tan Kah Kee]], prominent Chinese businessman and philanthropist, Chinese community leader.
*[[Lee Kong Chian]], prominent Chinese businessman and philanthropist, founder of Lee foundation, one of the richest men in South East Asia.
*[[Tan Lark Sye]], prominent Chinese businessman and philanthropist, founded Nanyang University in the 1950s.
*[[Lee Choon Seng]], prominent Chinese businessman and philanthropist, prominent lay Buddhist leader.
*[[Khoo Teck Puat]], founder of [[Malayan Banking]], largest single shareholder of the British bank Standard Chartered and owned the Goodwood Group.
*[[Kwek Hong Png]], entrepreneur and founder of [[Hong Leong Group]].
*[[Goh Cheng Liang]], founder of Wuthelam Holdings. 
*[[Sim Wong Hoo]], founder, CEO and Chairman of [[Creative Technology]].
*[[Wee Cho Yaw]], chairman emeritus of the [[United Overseas Bank]] (UOB) and United Industrial Corporation (UIC) in Singapore.
*[[Kwek Leng Beng]], executive chairman of Hong Leong Group Singapore.
*[[Cheong Eak Chong]], prominent businessman and philanthropist.
*[[Tan Kim Seng]], Chinese community leader (Hokkien) and first magistrate of Chinese descent in Singapore
*[[Seah Eu Chin]], Chinese community leader (Teochew), also known as the "Gambier King".
*[[Lim Nee Soon]], Chinese community leader (Teochew), the town of Yishun is named after him.
*[[Gan Eng Seng]], Chinese businessman and philanthropist, who founded a school which was later renamed after him.
*[[Aw Boon-Haw]], a Hakka Chinese entrepreneur and philanthropist, best known as the founder of Tiger Balm.
*[[Song Ong Siang]], Chinese community leader.
*[[Neo Ao Tiew]], best known for developing the Lim Chu Kang area of Singapore.
*[[Lim Bo Seng]], prominent businessman and resistance fighter during World War II, a war hero in Singapore.

===Military===
*[[Winston Choo]], 1st Chief of Defence Force 
*[[Ng Jui Ping]], 2nd Chief of Defence Force 
*[[Bey Soo Khiang]], 3rd Chief of Defence Force 
*[[Lim Chuan Poh]], 4th Chief of Defence Force 
*[[Ng Yat Chung]], 5th Chief of Defence Force

===S.T.E.M.===
*[[Lim Boon Keng]], Peranakan physician and Chinese community leader, the first Singaporean to receive a Queen's Scholarship and promoted social and educational reforms in Singapore in the early 20th century.
*[[Handong Sun]], physicist currently at Nanyang Technological University and an Elected Fellow of the American Physical Society
*[[Peng Tsu Ann]], mathematician and the first University of Singapore (now the National University of Singapore, Abbreviation: NUS) graduate to obtain a PhD in mathematics. Peng was the Head of the Department of Mathematics at NUS from 1982 to 1996
*[[Chong Chi Tat]] is University Professor and Director of the Institute for Mathematical Sciences at the National University of Singapore (NUS).
*[[Xian Jun Loh]] is a polymer chemist who works in the inter-disciplinary field of biomaterials
*[[Lam Lay Yong]], Professor of Mathematics at the Department of Mathematics from 1966 to 1998
*[[Chai Keong Toh]], computer scientist engineer, professor, and chief technology officer.
*[[Benjamin Tee]], co-develop the electronic skin technology.
*[[William Tan]] is a neuroscientist, medical doctor and Paralympian. He was the first person to complete a marathon in the North Pole in a wheelchair.
*[[Jackie Yi-Ru Ying]], nanotechnology scientist and the founding executive director of the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology in Singapore.
*[[Samuel Gan]], multi-disciplinary biomedical scientist who is currently the founding Editor-in-Chief of the “Scientific Phone Apps and Mobile Devices” journal. He is currently the Principal Investigator of the Antibody and Product Development (APD) Lab at the Bioinformatics Institute and p53 Laboratory of the Agency of Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR).
*[[Su Guaning]], former president, Nanyang Technological University.

===Religious===
*[[Zhuan Dao|Venerable Zhuan Dao]], important pioneer of Chinese [[Buddhism in Singapore]] and founder of the [[Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery]].
*[[Hong Choon|Venerable Hong Choon]], prominent Buddhist leader in Singapore and second president of Singapore Buddhist Federation.
*[[Long Gen|Venerable Long Gen]], respectable Buddhist leader and scholar in Singapore.
*[[Ho Yuen Hoe|Venerable Jing Run]], abbess of Lin Chee Cheng Sia Temple and known as Singapore's "grand dame of charity" in recognition of her lifelong devotion in helping the old and needy.
*[[Teresa Hsu Chih]], known affectionately as "Singapore's Mother Teresa", in recognition for her active lifelong devotion in helping the aged sick and destitute.

===Sports===
*[[Tan Howe Liang]], first Singaporean to win an Olympic Games medal.
*[[Wong Peng Soon]], badminton player who reigned as a top player in Malaya from the 1930s to the 1950s
*[[Tan Chong Tee]], Singaporean badminton player who became an anti-Japanese guerilla fighter in WWII, and a comrade of war hero Lim Bo Seng. He survived the war and later died in 2012 at the age of 96.

===Entertainment===
*[[Kuo Pao Kun]], prominent playwright, theatre director, and arts activist in Singapore
*[[Michael Chiang]], prolific playwright and screenwriter, known as "Singapore's most famous and successful playwright"
*[[Goh Poh Seng]], dramatist, novelist, doctor and poet
*[[Alvin Tan (director)|Alvin Tan]], founder and artistic director of ''The Necessary Stage'' (TNS)
*[[Ivan Heng]], actor and theatre director of Peranakan descent, also the founding artistic director of W!LD RICE
*[[Ong Keng Sen]], director of the theatre group ''TheatreWorks''
*[[You Jin]], writer who received the Cultural Medallion Award in 2009
*[[Han Lao Da]], playwright, founder and principal of Han Language Centre.
*[[Stella Kon]], recipient of the S.E.A. Write Award and playwright, best known for ''"Emily of Emerald Hill"''
*[[Catherine Lim]], fiction author known for writing about Singapore society and of themes of traditional Chinese culture. 
*[[Robert Yeo]], poet, playwright, novelist and was awarded the S.E.A. Write Award in 2011
*[[Lim Kay Tong]], veteran film, TV and stage actor
*[[Kevin Kwan]], author of international best-seller ''Crazy Rich Asians''
*[[Stefanie Sun]], award-winning internationally famous singer-songwriter
*[[Kit Chan]], award-winning internationally famous singer-songwriter
*[[JJ Lin]], award-winning singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor

==See also==
*[[Singapore–China relations]]
*[[Singapore–Taiwan relations]]
*[[Singapore–Hong Kong relations]]
* [[List of common Chinese surnames in Singapore]]
* [[Chinese folk religion in Southeast Asia]]
* [[Han Taiwanese]]
* [[Thai Chinese|Chinese Thais]]
* [[Chinese Cambodians]]
* [[Burmese Chinese]]
* [[Laotian Chinese]]
* [[Hoa people|Vietnamese Chinese]]
* [[Malaysian Chinese]]
* [[Chinese Indonesians]]
* [[Ethnic Chinese in Brunei|Bruneian Chinese]]
* [[Chinese Filipinos]]
* [[Chinese people in Korea]]

== Notes and references ==
{{Notelist}}
=== Citations ===
{{Reflist}}

=== Sources ===
{{refbegin}}
* [http://weecheng.com/singapore/9eg/index.htm Festival of the Nine Emperor Gods]
* ''[[The Straits Times]]'', 28 April 2006, p.&nbsp;15, Prime section
*[http://www.zaobao.com/chinese/region/singapore/culture/singapore_culture140399c.html 新加坡华文知识分子角色的演变 (Changing role of the Chinese Intellectuals in Singapore), Lianhe Zaobao, 14 March 1999]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060218115017/http://www.zaobao.com.sg/chinese/region/singapore/pages/singapore_chinese221000.html 新加坡华人族谱的价值与缺憾 (Values of Singaporean Chinese genealogy records)]
{{refend}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book|author=Lynn Pan (Singapore Chinese Heritage Center)|title=The Encyclopedia of the Chinese Overseas|location=Singapore|publisher=Archipelago Press Landmark Books|year=1998|isbn=981-3018-92-5}}
*{{cite book|author=许教正 (Xu Jiaozhen)|title=《''东南亚人物志''》 (''Historical Figure of South East Asia'')|location=Singapore|publisher=Xu Jiaozhen Pub|year=1965}}
*{{cite book|author=[[Song Ong Siang]]|title=One Hundred Years' History of the Chinese in Singapore|location=Singapore|publisher=[[Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry|Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce]] Publisher|year=1993}}

==External links==
{{Library resources box
 |onlinebooks=no
 |by=no
 }}
*[https://mv.org.sg/group/buddhist-and-pali-college/ Buddhist and Pali College]
*[https://mv.org.sg/group/theravada-buddhism-studies-in-chinese-tbsc/ Theravada Buddhism Studies in Chinese Group (TBSC)]
*[http://weecheng.com/singapore/tanki/story1.htm Festival of the Nine Emperor Gods]
*[https://nineemperorgodsproject.com/ Nine Emperor Gods Project]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20051122011311/http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/display.article?id=2875 2003 speech by Lee Hsien Loong on Teochews]
*[http://www.lib.nus.edu.sg/chz/SEAChinese/zynr.html Research Center for Overseas Chinese at National University of Singapore] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201217213521/http://www.lib.nus.edu.sg/chz/SEAChinese/zynr.html |date=17 December 2020 }}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110422093227/http://www.chineseheritagecentre.org/ Singapore Chinese Heritage Center]
*[http://www.huayinet.org/ Singapore Huayi Net] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207070533/http://www.huayinet.org/ |date=7 February 2021 }}
*[http://www.sctu.org.sg/ Singapore Chinese Teachers' Union]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090306072624/http://www.cdac.org.sg/cos/o.x?c=%2Fcdac_corp%2Fsection Singapore Chinese Development Assistance Council]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110421191006/http://www.sfcca.org.sg/ Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations]
*[http://www.sccci.org.sg/ Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry]

{{Ethnic groups in Singapore}}
{{Overseas Chinese}}
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[[Category:Chinese diaspora in Singapore| ]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Singapore]]