Prime Minister Lawrence Wong highlights family support, youth action and multicultural harmony as Singapore welcomes the Year of the Fire Horse.
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong delivered his Chinese New Year message on 16 February 2026, as families across Singapore prepared to welcome the Year of the Fire Horse.
In his message, PM Wong spoke about the meaning of Chinese New Year. He said the festival is a time for families to gather, enjoy reunion dinners and strengthen bonds across generations. He added that family remains the foundation of Singapore’s society.
The Prime Minister stressed that supporting families is a key priority for the Government. In this year’s Budget, measures were introduced to provide more help for households. These include CDC vouchers for every household and additional credits for every child. The Government is also making pre-school education more affordable and accessible.
He said parents today face new challenges, especially in guiding their children’s use of technology. The Government will continue to provide support to help families at every stage of life and to give every child a good start.
PM Wong also spoke about seniors. Through the Age Well SG programme, neighbourhoods are being improved so that older Singaporeans can live independently and stay connected to their communities. The Government is working with employers to redesign jobs and help seniors upgrade their skills. Support for retirement is also being strengthened to give Singaporeans greater peace of mind.
The Prime Minister highlighted the growing role of youth in society. He noted that many young Singaporeans are volunteering and supporting causes such as sustainability and mental well-being. He said the Government will continue to encourage youth participation and community spirit.
This year’s Chinese New Year is special as it coincides with the start of Ramadan for Singapore’s Muslim community. PM Wong said this reflects Singapore’s multicultural identity, where different cultures and religions live together in mutual respect.
He reminded Singaporeans that racial and religious harmony must not be taken for granted. Each generation has a duty to protect and strengthen these shared values.
Referring to the Year of the Fire Horse, PM Wong said the zodiac symbol represents change and movement. He noted that the world is facing geopolitical shifts and rapid technological changes. While these changes may bring uncertainty, he said they also call for resilience and adaptability.
He ended his message by wishing all Singaporeans good health, peace and prosperity in the year ahead.
Source: PMO
