PUBLISHED ONAugust 23, 2026 11:08 AMUPDATEDAugust 23, 2026 2:09 PMBYSean LerThe National Library Board (NLB) is partnering the National Library of China (NLC) to stage an exhibition on the Four Great Classic Novels, which will see several rare historical artefacts being displayed outside China for the first time.
The event was announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in his Mandarin speech at the 2026 National Day Rally (NDR) held at the Institute of Technical Education College Central on Sunday (Aug 23).
Amid concerns that the falling use of Mandarin in Chinese households could cause Singapore to slowly lose touch with its cultural roots, and consequently, its bilingual edge, PM Wong emphasised that the Republic must not become a monolingual society.
The prime minister noted that since his first NDR in 2024 — when it was announced that the criteria for taking up Higher Chinese would be eased — more than 1,000 students have benefitted from the change, which took effect this year.
About one in four Secondary 1 students now take Higher Chinese in school, he said.
In addition to school, the language environment at home matters too, said PM Wong.
He shared how he used to watch Channel 8 dramas such as The Flying Fish and The Awakening with his parents, improving his Mandarin through listening and reading the subtitles.
@asiaone While emphasising the importance of Singapore preserving its Asian identity and character, and not losing its bilingual edge, PM Wong revealed how he brushed up his Mandarin when he was growing up. #sgnews #Singapore #NDR2026 #Language #Learning ♬ original sound - AsiaOne
And this has to be complemented by a supportive social environment, where Mandarin can be used in everyday life so that mother tongues can remain living languages.
In December, NLB and NLC will stage an immersive exhibition at the National Library based around the four classic books from China.
Romance of the Three Kingdom, Water Margin, Journey to the West, and Dream of the Red Chamber were written during the Ming and Qing dynasties, and remain the pinnacle of pre-modern Chinese fiction today.
NLB said in a fact sheet that the exhibition will be presented in both English and Chinese, celebrating the rich traditions that form part of Singapore's multicultural identity.
It also invites other communities to explore and appreciate Chinese literary heritage, NLB added.
To achieve this, interactive digital installations are woven throughout the exhibition.
There are also artefacts on loan from the NLC, including tier-one cultural relics — the highest classification for national heritage objects in China.
These early editions, woodblock prints and opera scripts dating from the 17th to 19th Centuries have never been exhibited outside of China, noted NLB.
The exhibition will also highlight Singapore's unique connection to the four classics through NLB's own collection.
"It is a rare opportunity," said PM Wong. "And we look forward to the exhibition."
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