Some people ask the question, “Why does Singapore need two Chinese cultural agencies?” Those who are aware of the chronology may ask, “Why is there a need to establish the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC) when there is already a China Cultural Centre (CCC)?” Associate Professor Eugene K.B. Tan posed a similar question on SCCC’s opening day: “Is there one Chinese culture or a variety of Chinese cultures? One might be confused, as there are now two Chinese cultural centres in Singapore in close proximity to each other.” This chapter seeks to answer these queries through a comparative study of these two models and attempts to define their roles more clearly in the hope that they can complement each other more effectively and benefit the local cultural scene.

Establishment

The CCC in Singapore, which was established and fully funded by the Chinese government, is one of thirty-five such centres worldwide. It is the thirteenth of the series, and third to be established out of the six currently in Southeast Asia. In 2009, former Chinese President Hu Jintao and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong witnessed the signing of the memorandum of cooperation in setting up the CCC by both parties. The ground-breaking ceremony in the following year was officiated by then Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping and then Singapore Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong. That year also marked the twentieth anniversary of diplomatic ties between Singapore and China. Five years later, in 2015, Chinese President Xi and Singapore Emeritus Senior Minister Goh co-officiated the launch.

Unlike the CCC, the SCCC is unique as it was established by the non-government organization Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations (SFCCA). The idea was mooted by the SFCCA Council and presented by then Chairman Chua Thian Poh to Prime Minister Lee in 2012, who then announced government support. The SCCC was then incorporated by SFCCA the following year, and the ground-breaking ceremony officiated by PM Lee took place another year later, in 2014. In 2016, the cultural exhibition “Blossoms of Vitality, Colours of Life” premiered. In 2017, the Opening Ceremony was officiated by PM Lee, with the government partially funding the centre through the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY).