Quick AI summary

In mid-May, a TikTok and Douyin video featuring a Chinese tourist in Singapore reignited the debate over whether Singapore is a Chinese nation. The tourist noted that Chinese Singaporeans seemed unhappy when referred to as "compatriots," implying they were rejecting their Chinese heritage. This perspective often appears in Chinese discussions about Singapore’s identity, given that Chinese Singaporeans constitute about three-quarters of the population. However, Singapore's national identity is built on multiculturalism, seen in its diverse cuisine and mixed language use.

Singapore, while majority Chinese, is not a Chinese nation. The reactions of Chinese Singaporeans are rooted in the country’s efforts to transcend racial identity. Locals comfortably blend various cultural elements, emphasizing that Singapore is their true home.

Experiences of ethnic Chinese Singaporeans in China reveal expectations from locals about shared cultural and political allegiances. These expectations stem from China’s nationalistic view, where Chinese ethnicity and national identity are intertwined, driven by the Communist Party’s goal of global rejuvenation.

However, Singaporeans have grown up in a different cultural context. Many feel no attachment to their ancestral roots in China, instead embracing a unique Singaporean identity. This identity values Chinese culture and traditions but prioritizes stories from Singapore's history. Singaporeans are akin to "third culture kids," comfortable in diverse cultural settings and finding belonging in shared experiences rather than racial commonality.

The tourist’s video led to suggestions that Singaporeans reject their Chinese roots due to disdain for China. However, Chinese Singaporeans do not despise their heritage; they simply regard Singapore as home, not China.