The title of my talk today is, “The Second Long March”. It is inspired by the Long March of the Chinese communists in 1935.

The Long March began in October 1934 at the South-eastern corner of China, and ended one year later, in another corner in the North-west, a distance of about 10,000 kilometres.

The communists, led by Mao Zedong, trekked over endless expanses of very harsh terrain — raging rivers, snow-capped mountains and treacherous marshes. At one point, where there was no water they survived by drinking their own urine.

Of the 90,000 men and women who set out, only 7,000 survived the March. Most of them died through sickness and exhaustion. Only a few were actually killed in battle.

For those who survived, it was a real triumph of human endurance and spirit.

One may disagree with the political ideology of Mao Zedong and his comrades. Yet, one cannot help but marvel at the triumph of their spirit over impossible odds.

I feel that the problems we are facing are so complex and immense that they will require strong qualities like those exhibited by the Long Marchers.

These are physical and moral courage, perseverance, discipline, dedication, resolution and teamwork.

But when I tested the title on some of my colleagues, they were not the least enthusiastic.

They thought the Long March metaphor suggested that I was an admirer of the Chinese communists.

They also pointed out that the Long March was not an all-conquering march, but was, in fact, a hasty retreat of the Red Army.

I looked for alternative titles, like “The Tasks Ahead” and “Certainties and Uncertainties”.

In the end I felt “The Second Long March” was still the most apt. It captures the spirit of determination and toughness of purpose most vividly.

SINGAPORE'S FIRST LONG MARCH

My Long March metaphor may be inspired by the Chinese communists but the numerical order is not.

I use the word “Second” not after the Long March in China but after a Long March in Singapore.

For, in my view, the struggle for survival of Singapore as an independent nation, is also a triumph of the human spirit, a victory of conviction and determination, over impossible odds.