Singapore, February 16 (AseanAll) — Ahead of the 2026 Chinese New Year (Year of the Horse), Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong delivered his 2026 Chinese New Year Message on 16 February — Chinese New Year’s Eve, according to the Prime Minister's Office of Singapore.
The full text of the message is as follows:
2026 Chinese New Year Message by Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong
Tonight, families across Singapore will gather with loved ones to bid farewell to the Year of the Snake, and welcome the Year of the Horse. We will sit down for reunion dinners and stay up late to wish our parents good health and long life. We will give red packets to our children, and share well wishes for the year ahead.
This is what Chinese New Year means to us. It is a celebration of our traditions and heritage, but above all, of family. It is a time for generations to reconnect and renew the bonds that matter most.
Families are the foundation of our society. When our families are strong, Singapore is strong. This is why supporting families – young and old – remains a key priority for the Government.
We are working to give families, especially parents with young children, greater assurance and support. In this year’s Budget, we have taken further steps – from CDC vouchers for every household to additional credits for every child. Beyond the home, we are making pre-school more affordable and accessible. We are also helping parents navigate new challenges, including guiding their children’s use of technology. Our goal is clear: to give every child a good start in life, and to support families at every stage of their journey.
At the same time, Singapore must be a place where our seniors can age with dignity and purpose. Through Age Well SG, we are reshaping our neighbourhoods, so that seniors can continue living independently, and stay connected to their communities. Ageing well also means staying active and engaged. This is why we are working with employers to redesign jobs and supporting our seniors to refresh their skills, so they can contribute meaningfully for as long as they wish. We are also strengthening support for retirement, so that Singaporeans can enjoy greater peace of mind in their later years.
When we take care of our families, we strengthen the bonds that hold our society together. This spirit should extend beyond our homes to our neighbours and communities. I’m heartened to see more Singaporeans stepping forward, especially our youth. Many are volunteering and championing causes ranging from sustainability to mental well-being. We will continue to support and encourage them. Together, we can build a society where we look out for one another, and act with a strong sense of collective responsibility.
This Chinese New Year is especially meaningful, as our Muslim friends will also be marking the beginning of the blessed month of Ramadan.
The coming together of these two occasions reminds us of the beauty of multicultural Singapore – a society where different cultures, traditions and faiths live together in mutual respect. This harmony did not happen by chance. It was built patiently over generations through mutual respect, trust and understanding. These are values we must continue to uphold and pass on.
Our harmony must be actively renewed, and not taken for granted. Each generation has a responsibility to strengthen it – through how we live, interact and treat one another. Let us continue to enlarge our common space, deepen our shared bonds, and celebrate our diversity as a source of strength.
This year, we welcome the Year of the Fire Horse. In the Chinese zodiac, the Fire Horse is associated with change and movement. It reminds us of the world we are living in – where geopolitical currents are shifting, and technology is reshaping our lives.
These changes can feel uncertain and unsettling. But the Fire Horse also symbolises resilience and strength of spirit. Let us face the year ahead with adaptability and confidence, ready to reimagine what is possible for ourselves and for our country. Then we can turn challenges into opportunities, and continue moving forward as one people.
I wish everyone a happy Chinese New Year, and a year filled with good health, peace and prosperity.
