In a commentary, SMU Associate Professor of Law Eugene Tan opined that Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's National Day Rally (NDR) speech is an uplifting reminder on the importance of having resilience and resolve for Singapore, amid uncertainties such as the slowing economy and Sino-American rivalry. He pointed out that the one common thread across the three speeches is the forging of a unique Singapore identity and ethos and the centrality of staying united even as external forces are buffeting Singapore relentlessly. Assoc Prof Tan believed that the themes from the NDR will continue to resonate from now to next year’s Budget as the spotlight now shifts to the fourth-generation leaders who will elaborate and engage Singaporeans on the policy details and their implementation.