Because Singaporean Chinese don't see themselves as Chinese.
back in the late 90s and early 2000s when China was still not so rich.......often hear Singaporeans refer to PRC as "Chinaman".
I found it very "racist" actually.
They would also refer to "Banglas" and "Ah Neh".
All very racist terms and language.
For a country that touts itself as "multicultural" and "multi ethnic' and has "regardless of race language or religion" in the pledge I find this very disconcerting.
But ok lah. Singapore got many good things. Good food. Cheap transport. Efficient MRT. High home values. Huat ar! Vibrant happening city! Lots of flights to all over the world (before and after covid 19). LOW TAXES! This one very very important. LOW INCOME TAX! Nobody likes to pay income taxes. GST is ok. Indirect taxation on cars COE, road tax is ok. But LOW INCOME TAX very important.
Also no need fund for healthcare when young. Young no sick why must pay for healthcare? When old then figure out how lah or just die lah.
So Singapore still has many plus points!
oh yeah and SAFE! VERY SAFE! No guns!