Singaporean Chinese are showing a stronger sense of identification with local Chinese culture as practised and developed in Singapore.
According to Lianhe Zaobao, a survey released by the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre on December 11 found that nearly 80% of respondents said this locally rooted culture has a unique character distinct from Chinese cultures in other parts of the world. The survey also found that younger Singaporeans are becoming more proud of and connected to this Singapore-specific Chinese cultural identity.
However, the reasons why Singaporean Chinese engage with local Chinese culture remain largely unchanged. Most participation is still driven by food and social interaction. Only a slight majority, around 50% to 60%, said they are interested in taking a further step to actively learn more about Chinese cultural history or how it is reflected in everyday life today.
The survey showed that over the past four years, Singaporean Chinese have steadily reported higher levels of pride and belonging towards local Chinese culture. The proportion who said they feel proud of local Chinese culture rose from 72% in 2021 to 74% in 2022, before reaching 77% in 2024.
Those who said local Chinese culture gives them a sense of belonging and responsibility towards Singapore increased from 69% in 2021 to 76% in 2024, a rise of seven percentage points.
Looking at different age groups, cultural pride among middle-aged and older Singaporean Chinese aged 56 and above has remained consistently strong, with more than 80% expressing pride over the past three years, and the figure continues to rise.
Among youths aged 18 to 35, the proportion who said they feel proud of local Chinese culture increased from 69% in 2022 to 75% in 2024, showing that appreciation and identification among the younger generation are also strengthening.
Food and social interaction remain main reasons for engagement
The survey found that the motivations for Singaporean Chinese to engage with local Chinese culture remain similar to the results from 2022. Chinese food continues to be the top driver, cited by 81% of respondents, followed by social interaction at 72%.
Only 58% of respondents said they engage with local Chinese culture mainly out of interest and appreciation. Among them, 66% said they hope to learn more about Chinese cultural history and traditions, while 63% want to better understand different aspects of Chinese life from various perspectives.
At the same time, only 40% felt that they lacked sufficient knowledge of Chinese culture. These figures showed little change compared to the 2022 survey.
One notable shift was growing interest in popular culture. The proportion of respondents who said they want to understand the cultural background behind Chinese popular culture increased from 52% in 2022 to 61%, suggesting rising curiosity, especially among younger Singaporean Chinese.
Local Chinese culture seen as inclusive and diverse
The survey also found that 77% of respondents believe local Chinese culture has developed a distinct identity that sets it apart from Chinese cultures in other parts of the world. Respondents said this uniqueness is closely linked to Singapore’s multicultural social environment.
Public perceptions of local Chinese culture are also changing. The proportion of respondents who described it as “inclusive and diverse” rose sharply from 7% in 2022 to 20%. In contrast, those who viewed it as “traditional and conservative” fell from 13% to 6%.
These results suggest that as Singapore’s social environment and lifestyles evolve, local Chinese culture is gradually becoming more open and modern, while also incorporating influences from different cultures.
Speaking to the media, Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre Chief Executive Officer Alvin Tan said that a more mature society, stronger cultural confidence among Singaporeans, and years of active preservation and promotion by cultural institutions have contributed to the growing sense of identification and belonging towards local Chinese culture.
“Singapore is an open society. Culturally, we are inclusive and continue to engage with other ethnic groups and societies. These exchanges enrich and strengthen our own culture, allowing it to evolve with the times,” he said.
The Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre was established in 2017 to promote and showcase the development of local Chinese culture. While preserving and promoting traditional Chinese culture, the centre also aims to highlight Singapore’s unique Chinese cultural identity and promote understanding among different ethnic communities.
The centre conducts a cultural perception survey every two years. The latest survey was carried out between November last year and March this year, involving more than 2,000 Singaporeans and permanent residents. The study aims to track public awareness, attitudes, and changing trends related to local Chinese culture in Singapore.
