Chapter 7 Chapter Five Overseas Chinese "Sages" in the History of Singapore

Beautiful, prosperous Singapore is a nation of immigrants.Singaporeans are immigrants from China, India, Indonesia and Malaysia.The Chinese, who are Chinese immigrants and their descendants, account for 76% of the total population of Singapore. They live in harmony with the Malays, Indians and other races, and work together to build Singapore, which was originally a desolate small fishing village, into a vibrant city. Republic. Singapore was formerly known as Temasik (Temasik), also known as the Lion City (Singapura).Singapore's modern history began in 1819.In January of this year, Stamford Raffles, a British colonialist, landed here.At that time, Singapore was a small desolate fishing village infested by pirates with just over 100 residents.The reason why Raffles landed here was out of the needs of British colonialism policy.In order to maintain its commercial interests in Southeast Asia and the whole of Asia, and to control the Strait of Malacca, an important channel connecting the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, Britain urgently needed to find a trading port at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula.Singapore's superior geographical location has been chosen.In the history books of Singapore, the landing of Raffles in Singapore is regarded as the beginning of the "port opening" of this island country. In 1824, Singapore officially became a British colony.

The Chinese arrived in Singapore very early. When Raffles landed, about 30 overseas Chinese lived there. They opened up several plantations and lived in poverty.The large-scale immigration of Chinese and people from other neighboring countries to Singapore came after the "opening of the port".In order to develop Singapore, the British colonial government adopted a policy of encouraging immigrants, especially Chinese immigrants, to immigrate to Singapore.China's poverty and misery, especially the tragic situation of the semi-colonies after the Opium War in 1840, drove many Chinese out of the country.In order to make a living, they left their homes and came to Singapore.Singapore's population was growing rapidly, from 10,000 at the end of 1820 to 30,000 in 1830.The population of overseas Chinese increased even faster. In 1860, the total population of Singapore was 80,000, of which 50,000 were overseas Chinese, accounting for 63% of the total population. In 1901, the number of overseas Chinese had increased to more than 160,000, accounting for 71.8% of the total population.It should be said that the majority of Chinese citizens in Singapore today has been formed more than a century ago.

Singapore's brilliant achievements today are inseparable from the early immigrants of all ethnic groups overcoming obstacles and pioneering and building.Singaporeans of different races are united under the banner of "Singapore is my homeland".Singapore is a country that values ​​history and tradition. They believe that a country should not be a floating object, drifting with the tide, but like a big tree with luxuriant branches and leaves, rooted in the deep soil.Therefore, they value their "roots" and do not forget their "sources".Overseas Chinese made indelible contributions to the early development of Singapore.Today's Singaporeans will always remember the deeds of these ancestors, calling them "sages", expressing their nostalgia and admiration. The performance of the "sages" condenses part of the contribution of overseas Chinese in Singapore's history.In this article, we try to show a fragment of the early history of overseas Chinese in Singapore by introducing several "sages".

Chen Dusheng (AD 1798-1850) and Chen Jinzhong (AD 1829-1892), father and son, were famous philanthropists.Chen Tock Seng is an overseas Chinese from Fujian who was born in Malacca.Soon after Singapore "opened as a port", he immigrated from Malacca.At the beginning, he worked as a hawker, selling fruits, vegetables, chickens and ducks for a living. Later, when he had savings, he opened a shop and started a local business. He gradually became rich and became a leader of overseas Chinese.After Chen Tock Seng became rich, he was enthusiastic about social welfare and took the lead in building a civilian hospital.The hospital was completed in 1844, and he served as chairman of the board.Singapore is located in the tropics. In the early days, it was full of smog and diseases. However, the colonial government at that time ignored the city's welfare facilities and poor medical equipment. Chen Tock Seng established this hospital in view of this.The funding of the hospital was supported by Tan Tock Seng and other overseas Chinese leaders.This hospital was later called Tan Tock Seng Hospital.Tan Tock Seng Hospital serves people of all ethnicities in Singapore.He not only initiated the hospital, but also organized some other charitable causes. Even beggars starved to death on the street, and he also collected the corpses for burial.Chen Jinzhong is the eldest son of Chen Tock Seng, who has received relatively good education, and his son inherited his father's business and continued to do business.He donated money to rebuild Tan Tock Seng Hospital, and worked hard to mediate conflicts and disputes in the overseas Chinese community. He is a quite prestigious figure.

Hu Yaji (1816-1880 A.D.) was another famous "sage" in Singapore in the mid-19th century.His official name was Xuanze, and he was born in Huangpu Township, Guangzhou City. He immigrated to Singapore when he was 15 years old, and later managed the "Whampoa Company" to become rich, so people called him "Huangpu" or "Mr. Huangpu".Although Hu Yaji did not receive a good formal education, he studied diligently and mastered multiple languages.He is very enthusiastic about social welfare undertakings in Singapore.Built a garden villa on the outskirts of the city - Nansheng Garden, which is open to the public; invested in the purchase of land to open a botanical garden, which is the predecessor of today's Singapore botanical garden; supported Tan Tock Seng to run a hospital, and supported the establishment of a girls' school.Because of his many works for the Singaporean society, he enjoys a high reputation. In 1877, the Qing government established a consulate in Singapore, and he was elected as the first consul.During his tenure, he did a lot of work in protecting the interests of overseas Chinese, strengthening the unity of overseas Chinese communities, mobilizing overseas Chinese to donate money to relieve floods in the motherland, etc., and he did not receive a penny.Later, he was also appointed as the consul in Singapore by the Russian Tsarist government and the Japanese government. One person was also the consul of the three countries, which is unique in the history of world diplomacy.

Chen Jinsheng (1805-1864 A.D.), like Chen Tock Seng, also moved from Malacca not long after the opening of Singapore.Is a realtor and trader.His name is associated with Singapore's water supply.Although Singapore, which is located in the tropics, has abundant rainfall, it is a pity that a large amount of rainwater is poured into the ocean in vain.With the increase of the urban population, drinking water and fire-fighting water have increased dramatically.In order to meet the needs, wells were dug at the crossroads to draw water.Although the wellhead is paved during the day, it still affects traffic.In view of this, he donated 13,000 yuan in 1857 to urge the colonial government to build a reservoir and build water diversion equipment to divert drinking water into the urban area.But this considerable grant was spent by the colonial government in a foolish way.Singapore's first water supply project was not completed until 1877, 14 years after Tan Kim Sing passed away.In order to commend Chen Jinsheng's achievements, the government specially built a "Chen Jinsheng Memorial Fountain" in the city center with a height of more than 10 feet.Chen Jinsheng attached great importance to education and social welfare, and successively founded two schools, Chongwen Pavilion and Cuiying Academy, to provide educational opportunities for overseas Chinese children.He also paid for the paving of a road, which is today's "Golden Sound Road" in Singapore.He is also of great help to Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

Zhang Fanglin (1825-1893 A.D.), who was later than the above-mentioned ones, also contributed to the early development of Singapore.In Singapore, there are Fanglin constituency, Zhangfanglin Street, Zhangyuan Shengfang, Fanglin Wharf, etc., all of which are named in memory of him.Born in Singapore, Zhang Fanglin inherited the family business from her father and became extremely wealthy in the mid-19th century.It is quite common among overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia to be rich without forgetting social welfare.His contribution to Singapore is concentrated in the construction of public utilities.In the downtown area, "Fanglin Pu" was built for the citizens to rest. This is today's Fanglin Park; a school was established to enable the children of poor overseas Chinese to receive free education; Help the government do a good job in the city's firefighting work.He lives in Singapore, but he cares about the motherland very much, and has donated huge sums of money to relieve the victims of the disaster in the motherland many times.Later, he almost made an unwritten rule that he would donate 3,000 yuan to any charitable organization that solicited donations from him.

Tan Tock Seng and other Singaporean overseas Chinese leaders known as "sages" made contributions to the early development of modern Singapore, which reflects the solidarity between Chinese immigrants and Singapore.Singapore has accepted batch after batch of Chinese immigrants who were left behind by their motherland during the miserable years. Together with the immigrants of other ethnic groups, the industrious and intelligent Chinese immigrants have devoted themselves to the prosperity and development of Singapore, and made dedication and sacrifices.A monument to an unknown elderly Chinese man was erected in front of a museum in Singapore.The old man stared at the front peacefully. From his eyes, we seem to see a successful entrepreneur who is looking back on the history and looking forward to the future life.The inscription on the base of the monument is engraved with the following words: "The Chinese are known for their perseverance and hard work. The three provinces of Le Le, Yu, and Jia belong to the Malays. Today's prosperity, the ability of the Chinese is not rare. who.” This inscription’s evaluation of the role played by overseas Chinese in the development of Singapore and even the Malay Peninsula is very in line with historical truth.