04/08/2026
Dear Members of the Chen Clan Singaporeans,
Greetings to all!
I am Dennis Tan, President of the federation of Chen Clan Association, Singapore. On behalf of our association, I extend my warmest regards and best wishes to every one of you.
Recently, the film "Dear You" has taken Singapore by storm, grossing over S$2 million at the box office and sparking lively debates even in Parliament.
What makes it so deeply moving is its ability to awaken in our older generation that intangible, time‑honoured sentiment—"something that can be felt but not easily put into words"—a distant nostalgia for our homeland and a cultural heritage deeply rooted in our blood.
Each overseas remittance letter, each dialect phrase, tells of our forefathers' hardships and resilience as they ventured south to Nanyang, weaving together the collective memories of countless Singaporean Chinese families.
Cultural heritage is never a hollow slogan; it is an identity etched into our very bones. The Chen surname has a long and illustrious history.
Our founding ancestor, Chen Hugong (Gui Man), was born in 1067 BCE, over 3,000 years ago. Today, there are approximately 68 million people with the Chen surname in mainland China and more than 30 million overseas, totalling over 100 million worldwide.
In Singapore, Chen is the largest Chinese surname, accounting for nearly 9.5% of the Chinese population, with about 500,000 members spread across the island.
One might say that the Chen surname itself encapsulates the epic saga of the Nanyang Chinese diaspora. Safeguarding this rich cultural legacy is our shared responsibility.
The Federation of Chen Clan Association was established precisely for this mission. We are committed to uniting our clan members, promoting cultural heritage, fostering social integration, and nurturing young leaders.
Over the years, we have organised a wide range of cultural activities, youth exchanges, and community service projects, providing our members with a broad platform to strengthen bonds, exchange ideas, and give back to society.
I sincerely invite every Chen clansman—whether you were born here or have recently settled in Singapore—to join our big family. Let us walk hand in hand to:
· Preserve the memories of old – through oral history, cultural tours, and dialect heritage, so that our ancestors' stories and mother tongues live on;
· Celebrate Chinese culture – through arts, festivals, music, and other forms, showcasing the unique evolution of Chinese culture in Singapore;
· Empower our youth – by providing leadership training and international exchange opportunities, ensuring that the cultural torch is passed to the next generation.
As the film reminds us, cultural preservation requires the passionate participation of every individual. If 500,000 Chen clansmen stand together in unity, every drop of effort will converge into a mighty ocean.
Joining us is simple – please follow our official social media channels or contact our secretariat (as per email id below) for more information. We eagerly look forward to journeying with you to write a new cultural chapter for our times.
Yours sincerely,
Dennis Tan
President
Singapore Chen Clan General Association
3 August 2026
Email : [email protected]
