在新加坡首都剧场，几百名现场听众在观众席上，一起朗读台湾作家龙应台的散文。这是今年6月底城市阅读节上的其中一幕。

由新报业媒体华文媒体集团主办的城市阅读节，从6月27日举行至7月2日，来自新加坡、马来西亚、台海两岸以及日本的作家、媒体人、历史学者、外交官等出席近30场活动，介绍他们的著作。

中国大陆著名作家王安忆也在现场与听众互动。

在两岸三地关系再次隔阂的当下，在新加坡举办的城市阅读节，又一次成为华人作家与华人文化交流互动的平台。

新加坡的华人社群有志发挥作为平台的作用吗？还能再次扮演好这个角色吗？

这期的早报播客《东谈西论》，听主持人韩咏红与新报业媒体华文媒体集团社长李慧玲一起讨论新加坡在两岸文化交流中的独特位置。

延伸阅读：

• 李慧玲：新加坡成功是数十年耐心努力积累与妥协的结果
• 第三届城市阅读节：30场文艺活动 探讨“个人•时代”

City Reading@SG 2025 recently concluded, reaffirming its role as a vibrant platform for Chinese writers and cultural exchange amidst evolving regional dynamics. Held from June 27 to July 2, this annual literary festival in Singapore celebrates reading and storytelling through a diverse array of talks, performances, and community events. Organised by SPH Media’s Chinese Media Group, the festival brought together writers, media professionals, historians, and cultural figures from Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, mainland China, and Japan. Across nearly 30 events, participants shared their works and engaged actively with audiences.

Highlights included a reading of essays by Taiwanese writer Lung Ying-tai and an interactive session with renowned mainland Chinese writer Wang Anyi. The festival underscores Singapore’s unique position as a cultural bridge within the Chinese-speaking world.

In this episode of Global Heartbeat podcast, host Han Yong Hong speaks with Lee Huay Leng, editor-in-chief of SPH Media’s Chinese Media Group, to explore Singapore's growing potential as a platform for cultural exchange in the region.

Hosted by Lianhe Zaobao’s Associate Editor, Han Yong Hong, Global Heartbeat is a Mandarin weekly news and current affairs podcast that is updated every Tuesday, 7.00 PM SGT. It is available on zaobao.sg, Apple Podcast, Spotify and other podcast platforms.

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