As a Chinese citizen living and working in Singapore, I have been sensing a growing wave of xenophobic sentiments from locals in recent years.

Singapore has been shocked by two outbreaks of unrest in recent two consecutive years.

One was a rare strike in November 2012, the first one in more than two decades, by hundreds of Chinese bus drivers who complained being paid less than local colleagues, and the other was the Little India riot in December 2013 by more than 400 South Asian workers, the first major riot since the racial disturbances in 1969.

The two outbreaks of foreign labor unrest further provoked xenophobia among local citizens, who have been quite unhappy with the government's decision to allow in more foreigners.

The share of non-Singaporeans in the nation jumped from 14 percent in 1990 to 38 percent in 2011.

Singapore's population white paper 2013, A Sustainable Population for a Dynamic Singapore, triggered tremendous criticisms and even mass protests from local citizens.

Public fury was ignited by the government's plan to increase its population to between 6.5 and 6.9 million by 2030, with a resident population of 4.2 to 4.4 million and 2.3 to 2.5 million non-residents. 

Facing increasing public pressure, Singapore's ruling People's Action Party has to show a tightened stance over foreigners. On the one hand, more privileges have been given to its citizens; on the other hand, the entry threshold has been significantly raised for both foreign workers and immigrants.

For example, newly minted permanent residents now have to wait three years before buying a public house offered for resale, and the new Fair Consideration Framework requires companies advertising government job vacancies target only locals for at least 14 days before hiring foreigners.

Nevertheless, Singapore is facing a fundamental dilemma. Singaporeans may have to make a painful choice between a growing economy or an undisturbed life without an influx of foreigners.

Because of lack of natural resources, Singapore's most valuable asset is talent. However, Singapore is becoming older, with 11.7 percent of population aged 65 and above in 2013, a significant increase from 7.8 percent in 2002.

Even worse, its total fertility rate was only 1.29 in 2012, far below the replacement rate of 2.1 for more than three decades.

Therefore, Singapore needs foreign workers to do most of the labor-intensive jobs in manufacturing, construction and domestic service sectors.

Meanwhile, it also needs foreign talent to maintain its premier brand as a leading international financial center and trading hub.

Of course, Singapore needs to expand its infrastructure in advance so as to comfortably accommodate more foreigners and to make its original citizens feel less squeezed.

Actually, most foreigners value their choices to work, study or live in Singapore, especially for the over 1 million foreign workforce. None of them are intended to bring trouble but simply to earn a living.

Mutual respect between locals and foreigners is needed to avoid conflicts. Both locals and foreigners should contribute to a prosperous Singapore.

As an open society, Singapore is not only the home to its citizens but also a dreamland for many foreigners, so please keep the door open.

The author is an investment analyst and independent commentary writer based in Singapore. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn