Year 2012 marks not only the third installation of the prestigious Business China Awards but also the landmark fifth anniversary for Business China. On 28 November 2012, Business China celebrated both momentous occasions at Resorts World Sentosa with a 750-strong guest list of illustrious political and business leaders from Singapore as well as the Greater China area. Singapore’s former Minister Mentor and Patron of Business China, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, graced the ceremony as the Guest-of-Honour.
After nine months of rigorous selection and deliberation, Professor Arthur Lim Siew Ming, CapitaLand Group and Dr Loh Cheng were conferred with the Business China Excellence Award, Business China Enterprise Award and Business China Young Achiever Award respectively.
Organised by Business China and jointly presented by OCBC, the Business China Awards serve to recognise outstanding businessmen, professionals and organisations for their successful contributions to Singapore-China bilateral relations and to the appreciation of Chinese language and culture.
The recipients were honoured to have received the prestigious award personally from Mr Lee Kuan Yew, who was impressed with their outstanding contributions towards strengthening of Singapore-China bilateral relations. In his speech, he emphasised the importance of not only being bilingual but also bicultural. He believed that in order to be truly bicultural, it would be necessary for Singaporeans to live in China for a few years and immerse in their culture completely.
“No two countries share the same culture,” said Mr Lee, who further iterated that while Singaporeans have a distinct advantage given their ability to read, write and speak both English and Mandarin, it does not mean they fully understand the Chinese culture.
He added that the development of the Suzhou Industrial Park and Tianjin Eco-City showed him differences in culture between Singapore and China. “We are westernised, China is not westernised. That makes a very big difference. For us, we follow the rules, the rule of law. For them, an agreement is the beginning of a long friendship, in which you make adjustments as you go along, considering what is fair,” said Mr Lee.
It is with the same conviction towards developing Singapore-China bilateral ties that Mr Lee launched Business China together with Chinese Premier Mr Wen Jiabao back in November 2007. Celebrating its fifth anniversary, Business China continues to grow dynamically to promote bilingualism and biculturalism in Singapore, as well as deepening Singaporeans’ understanding of contemporary China. Over the past 5 years, 143 multi-faceted events benefitted a total of 31,000 business leaders, professionals and youths. In 2012 alone, 43 events were held, which is equivalent to 1 event every 9 days, with Business China Awards being one of the major flagship events.
Acknowledged as Southeast Asia’s father of ophthalmology, Business China Excellence Award recipient, Professor Arthur Lim, has been advocating the eradication of cataract blindness in China since 1986. Under Prof Lim’s stewardship, more than 5,000 local specialists were trained in the 10 eye centres which he helped establish across China. Close to half a million patients benefitted as a result of his philanthropic endeavour. Through personally providing pro-bono surgeries and donating generously to the eye centres in China, he has enhanced the Singapore-China relations by his selfless contributions. Held in high regard for his outstanding accomplishment, Prof Lim was honoured the exemplary “Friendship Award” by the Chinese Government.
The Business China Enterprise Award was awarded to CapitaLand, one of Asia’s largest real estate companies. Its umbrella brand for its businesses in China, CapitaLand China, has drawn its blueprints to cover 40 cities and developed over 120 projects in the country. The knowledge sharing and exchange on the urbanisation of China continues to deepen the long-term relations between the two countries. Actualising its commitment to “Building People”, the CapitaLand Hope Foundation has benefitted thousands of underprivileged children.
Choosing compassion over comfort, Business China Young Achiever Award recipient Dr Loh Cheng relocated with his family to Yunnan to provide medical education and clinical services to the underprivileged in this second poorest province in China. He bridged multi-lateral ties by connecting international humanitarian groups with the local Chinese authorities to ensure that international aids are provided directly to those needing them. Dr Loh is the second Singaporean to be conferred the prestigious “Caiyun” Award by the Yunnan Provincial Government in 2012.
In his welcome speech, Mr Chua Thian Poh, Chairman of Business China said: “On this joyous occasion, we would like to take this opportunity to honour exemplary individuals and organisations for their contributions to Singapore-China bilateral ties. The annual Business China Awards is significant. The past recipients were not only outstanding leaders in their respective fields, their contributions in bringing Singapore and China closer are also worthy of emulation. Following the successful proceeding of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the Singapore – China bilateral relations are expected to scale to greater heights. Business China’s mission will be even more significant in years to come.”
Mr George Lee, Head of Global Corporate Banking at OCBC Bank commented that “We at OCBC are proud to be associated with the Business China Award. Over the past three years, the award has proven to be a valuable platform to recognise outstanding individuals and companies whose successful engagements with China have contributed to deeper economic and cultural ties between the two countries. We hope the Award winners’ success stories will inspire many others to follow their paths to success in China.”
Lianhe Zaobao and The Business Times continued as the supporting media.