The history of Chinese literary groups in Singapore can be traced back to before World War II. As early as April 1939, poets such as Liu Si (Liu Shichao, 1917–2012), Tao Mu (Hong Lingrui, unknown–1960) and Yun Lang (Li Yunlang, 1914–1969) initiated a poetry group called the “Houshe” (Howl Society). They launched a movement to popularise poetry and published a popular poetry page in the Wenhui (Literary Society) supplement of The Union Times.

From the end of World War II to around 1970, a number of writers called for the establishment of a writers’ association for Chinese literature in Singapore and Malaya. The Singapore Chinese Writers’ Association was subsequently founded in late 1945, and the Singapore Chinese Literary Art Association in 1947. However, they were short-lived.

In the beginning of 1970s, during the debate in the Singapore Parliament on the Budget for 1970–1971, some members of parliament raised the issue of establishing a Chinese writers’ association. They believed that Chinese writers should band together and take it upon themselves to cultivate a conducive atmosphere for the development of literature.

Hence, new Chinese literary groups continued to form in Singapore since the 1970s, although some eventually went defunct due to a lack of successors. The literary groups can be classified into two main categories — literary associations registered with the Registry of Societies, and literary centres affiliated with community centres or clubs, or Chinese temple.

Today, the most significant ones are the Singapore Association of Writers and the Singapore Literature Society.

Singapore Association of Writers

The Singapore Association of Writers was established in August 1970. The three co-presidents of its first executive committee were Lee Ting Hui (1931–2023), Miao Xiu (Lu Shaoquan, 1920–1980), and Liu Bei’an (Chua Boon Hean, 1906–1995).

Under the leadership of past presidents Wong Meng Voon, Wong Yoon Wah, Xi Ni Er and Denon Lim Denan and with the efforts of the former executive committee members, the association promoted a publishing and a literary culture, helped develop Singapore’s Chinese literature with a distinctively local flavour, and organised four international academic conferences. It received the Singapore Chinese Cultural Contribution Award in 2018. Its flagship publication, Xinhua Wenxue (Singapore Chinese Literature), known as Wenxue (Literature) when it was launched in 1978, remains an important platform for literary works in Singapore and beyond.

“With the support of the Singapore Arts Council, our country’s Chinese writers’ association is in the process of organisation”, Television and Radio Weekly, No. 124 (6 November 1967): 35. Courtesy of Su Zhangkai and Lim Hong Huay.
Old photos of activities of the Singapore Association of Writers, 1996–1999. From 40th anniversary commemorative book of Singapore Association of Writers. Reproduced with permission from Singapore Association of Writers.
Singapore Literature Society committee members gathered for Chinese New Year in 2024. (From front left) Ho Hwei Loke (Vice President), Yu Fan (Chan Kok Peng, Vice President), Cheng Jun (Seng Thai Chong, Honorary President), Lee Chuan Low (President), Lim Lan Ching (Vice President), Ho Soo Guang, Oh Choon Lai; (from back left) Lee Bee Yong, Tan Choon Wah, Ru Sui Sui, Jian Jia Cang Cang (Cheng Oi Keung), Wang Bo, Yam Voon Chin, Lu’er (Anne Loke), Yi Ling (Tung Ngar Ling), Chong Han (Choo See Kau), See Ee Hoon. Courtesy of Singapore Literature Society. 

Singapore Literature Society

The Singapore Literature Society (originally named the Singapore Literature Research Society) was established in December 1980 with Yeo Song Nian as its first president. In 1990, under the leadership of Luo Ming (Yap Koon Chan), the society changed its name to its current one.

Its publications range from Singapore Literature to Xinhua Niandu Wenxuan (Annual Anthology of Singapore Chinese Literature). It also gives out “Salute to Literature” awards to senior Chinese writers who have contributed to the Chinese literary scene, as well as the Singapore Chinese Literature Prize to encourage literary enthusiasts to continue their creative endeavours. Furthermore, the association’s Singapore Chinese Literature Library, established in 2012, while not large, has more than a hundred years’ worth of Chinese literary materials, making it a valuable resource centre.

Other literary groups

  • The Singapore May Poetry Society (est. October 1978) aims to raise the standards of modern poetry — and the study of it — in Singapore. Its first president was Wen Kai (Tiah Oon Kai), and the society’s flagship publication May Poetry began in 1984. Its members are known for their pursuit of modernist poetry.
  • Bukit Timah Literary Centre (est. November 1990) is affiliated with the Bukit Timah Community Club. Hong Sheng (Ang Boo Soo, 1947–2019) served as its first chairman. Its flagship publication, Bukit Timah Literature started in 1991. In 2005, it jointly published Xinjiapo Huawen Zuojia Zhuanlüe (Biographies of Chinese Singaporean Writers) with the Singapore Association of Writers and Singapore Literature Society. Since 2021, under the leadership of the current chairman Quek Yong Siu, it organised a series of cultural activities that combined literature and performing arts. For example, it collaborated with the World Chinese Writers Association of Exchange Inc. to host a literary and artistic performance titled “Past, Present, Future” in 2022.
  • Tropical Literature And Art Club (est. April 1997) had Lee Keng Lian as the first president. It focuses on literature and art, and its flagship publication Redai (Tropical), originally named Redai Xuebao (Tropical Journal) was first published in 1998. Its publications include Redai Congshu (Tropical Book Series). The Fang Xiu Literary Award (est. 2008), organised by the Tropical Literature And Art Club, aims to promote Chinese literature in Singapore and Malaysia and is given out every three years. It is sponsored by Singapore literary pioneer Fang Xiu (Goh Tze Kwang, 1922–2010), his family, as well as individuals such as Malaysian entrepreneur Tan Kai Hee (1937–2022). In 2022, it set up a Yulin Shikan (Rainforest Poetry) on Facebook.
  • World Chinese Literature Society (est. March 2010) promotes literary research and creative writing. Its first president was Ler Chin Tuan. It publishes the Anthology of Singapore Chinese Literature, which includes scripts, novels, short stories, microfiction, poetry, and essay collections with comprehensive introductions.
  • Tuas Literary Centre (Chinese), previously known as Tuas Literature Promotion Committee (est. November 2012), whose first and current president is Lie Pu (Tan Suan Chyang), started its flagship publication Tuas Literature in 2013. Affiliated with the Tuas Pek Kong Keng, a Chinese temple located in Jurong area, the centre works with the Boon Lay Community Club to organise national Chinese writing competitions for students.
  • Society of Literature Writing (est. July 2013), whose first president was Zhang Hui (Cheong Weng Yat), publishes Literature Writing, formerly known as New Seed. It has released several special supplements to date, including the “Resisting Japanese Aggression Literature Supplement” and the “Remembering Ong Teng Cheong Poetry and Literature Exhibition”.
  • Poetry Festival Singapore (est. 2015) was conceived by pioneering poet Edwin Thumboo to promote literary exchange among the four official languages of Singapore. The other founding members include Chinese writer Tan Chee Lay and poets from the other languages. It started its flagship publication SG Poems in 2016. The festival also organises multilingual poetry competitions, recitation contests, poetry and art exhibitions, and events integrating diverse art forms.
  • Equatorial Wind Cultural Association (est. May 2019) is known for its publication, Equatorial Wind. Equatorial Wind was started in 1986 by couple Fang Ran (Lim Kok Peng, 1943–2023) and Qian Hua (Ng Meng Cheng). After the 100th issue, the association’s first president, Ng Beng Yeong, took over as the chief editor of the publication. The publication places emphasis on student creations. From the 101st issue onwards, each edition has featured a different local Chinese writer on its cover and is launched with a supplement on that writer.
Overall, the establishment of these literary groups aims to enhance the level of creation and theoretical research in Singapore Chinese literature. They either strengthen the connections between local Chinese writers and international Chinese writers, promote literary exchange and development, encourage the integration of literature and art, or contribute to the improvement of Chinese language proficiency in local schools. All these efforts collectively serve the purpose of promoting Singapore’s Chinese literature and Chinese culture.