Two weeks from now marks Singapore’s 60th birthday with a grand National Day Parade (NDP). During last week’s NDP rehearsal, in addition to the usual display of armed forces’ aircraft, tanks, and cheerful citizens, there was an unexpected sight… a Shopee contingent:
Every year on 9th August, Singapore celebrates National Day with the NDP. The celebration includes a parade, parachute performances, aerial displays featuring fighter jets, helicopters, refueling planes, and early warning aircraft, and a massive fireworks show that residents can enjoy around Marina Bay in downtown Singapore. Before National Day, several rehearsals are also held—meaning people can enjoy planes, tanks, and fireworks for multiple weekends in a row.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of Singapore’s independence, so the celebration (and all rehearsals) are being held at the Padang, the symbolic civic square in front of City Hall. Other events have also been scaled up—for example, there are far more aircraft than in previous years.
The Shopee contingent was part of the civilian contingents segment, appearing after the armed forces and youth organizations in the parade lineup. This year, 18 local social and economic groups formed the civilian contingents to join the march, including well-known companies like DBS Bank and Grab.
Social and economic groups have participated in the parade for many years. After the military marches through the Padang, important social organizations and companies are invited to appear, as a way for the Singapore government to highlight the contributions of civil society and businesses to national unity and economic development.
Grab first formed a contingent for the parade in 2022. Shopee’s involvement this year goes beyond just marching: the government has partnered with Shopee to launch an initiative where every Singapore citizen or permanent resident can redeem a free national flag on Shopee. Walking down the streets of Singapore, seeing flags hanging from residential buildings—how many of them came from Shopee?
(We ran a poll to find out what our Chinese readers think of the Shopee contingent. Here are the results.)
The post Shopee to send contingent marching after troops on Singapore’s National Day first appeared on The Low Down - Momentum Works.
