Lee Hsien Loong

“If you go overseas and meet people, you can detect a Singaporean from across the street - the way he dresses, slightly; the way he talks; the way he acts. There is a persona which is recognizable and which we are proud of.”

“We are looking for ways where you can have a sandbox, where you have a restricted environment within which people can try new things, and I can try new rules. And depending on what works, then I open up the sandbox, and it becomes the new rule for the whole system.”

“Just as our forefathers saved and invested to build what we, the current generation, are enjoying today, so, too, we must plant trees so that our sons and daughters, and their sons and daughters, can enjoy the shade.”

“We are open to the world; the world is at our doorstep. It washes in, not just through the windows, but we are immersed in it completely - through the Internet, through the media, through people traveling, coming here, as well as Singaporeans going abroad.”

“We are all in favor of the U.S. taking an active and constructive interest in Asia.”

“The key thing in Northeast Asia is North Korea. They are unpredictable; they are developing their nuclear capabilities and their missiles.”

“There can only be one government, and the president has certain roles and duties, which are to hold the second key on money and on people but not to go and check the government or tell the government what it is supposed to do.”

“Maybe Americans feel they don't need the rest of the world anymore, and they wish it would go away. We don't have that option.”

“The Chinese are quite clear what their interests are and very consistent on pushing their interests.”

“The old model for India was to be self-sufficient. It was the ideal India became independent with, that you spin your own thread, make your own clothes.”

“The world is a diverse place. Nobody has a monopoly on virtue or wisdom.”

“America is a great nation, not just because of your power and your wealth, but because of your high ideals, openness, and generosity of spirit.”

“Criticism, any amount, we welcome it. Come, let's have a discussion - in Parliament, all the better.”

“If you don't have that Singapore core, you can top up the numbers, but you are no longer Singapore. It doesn't feel Singapore - it isn't Singapore - and we can issue everybody red passports, but where is the continuity?”

“We are happy to see China prospering; we are happy to see China playing a constructive and positive role in the region.”

“If there are tensions between America and China, we will be asked to pick a side. It may not be directly, but you will get the message that, 'We would like you to be with us, and are you with us? If not, does that mean you're against us?' And that's to put it gently.”

“In our society, which is multiracial and multi-religious, giving offence to another religious or ethnic group, race, language, or religion is always a very serious matter.”

“I hope that soon after the next election, amongst them they will have decided, settled, and the leader will be ready to take over from me.”

“My colleagues went on the Internet, went on Facebook, and they found it helpful, and they persuaded me that I should try, so I did. It's quite fun provided you keep it in balance and... from time to time slip in a serious message.”

“If you look at the young people today, they are passionate about all kinds of courses. We have dog-lovers, nature-lovers, those who are pursuing arts; we have quite many who are involved in religious activities through their church.”