The controversy over Foreign Talents reminds me of an incident I read with regards to the First Emperor of China and how he at one time wanted to get rid of all foreign talents that served in his country. During the Warring States Period, the King of Qin wanted to get rid of all the foreigners in his country. That was in BC 237. 李斯 objected to it and produced this fine essay which finally convinced the King of Qin to retain the foreign talents who helped him became the First Emperor of China. At that historical times, they knew the importance of using talents, be in local or foreign. They also know that to be successful, you need to be able to attract and also accept these foreign talents.

Warring State Relic

谏逐客书

臣闻吏议逐客，窃以为过矣。昔穆公求士，西取由余于戎，东得百里奚于宛，迎蹇叔于宋，求邳豹、公孙支于晋。此五子者，不产于秦， 而穆公用之，并国二十，遂霸西戎。孝公用商鞅之法，移风易俗，民以殷盛，国以富强，百姓乐用，诸侯亲服，获楚、魏之师，举地千里，至今治强。惠王用张仪之计，拔三川之地，西并巴、蜀，北收上郡，南取汉中，包九夷，制鄢、郢， 东据成皋之险，割膏腴之壤，遂散六国之众，使之西面事秦，功施到今。昭王得范雎，废穰侯，逐华阳，强公室，杜私门，蚕食诸侯，使秦成帝业。此四君者，皆以客之功。由此观之，客何负于秦哉！向使四君却客而不内，疏士而不用，是使国无富利之实而秦无强大之名也。

It is self explanatory. Singapore needs to attract talents from all over the world to be strong and prosperous. The State of Qin was considered a barbarian state but they conquered the States from the Central Plains and united China. This started with the ancestors of the First Emperor through four generations of Kings, to pave the way for the unification of China under the First Emperor. Let us learn from the lessons of history.