On 15 July 2015, more than 250 students from various Integrated Programme Schools, Junior Colleges, Polytechnics and tertiary institutions, including China delegation of youths visiting from Harbin and Qiqihar cities, came together to witness the Business China Youth Showdown, where 11 participating teams presented on the theme of “One Belt One Road” – using PowerPoint presentations and creative self-made videos and skits.
Minister of State for Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, and Board Member of Business China, Mr Sam Tan, graced the Youth Showdown as the Guest-of-Honour. In his commencement remarks, MOS Sam Tan shared his opinion on “One Belt One Road”, mentioning that once the “One Belt One Road” strategy is set in motion, it would set to release opportunities and create new waves of growth in the region. He also shared that Singaporean youths would be better prepared for the future if they could identify these opportunities now.
The 11 participating teams hailed from nine schools, with each team consisted of three team members. Each team had to present their knowledge and findings on the theme in 50% English and 50% Mandarin within eight minutes.
The judging panel consisted of Dr Zhou Zhao Cheng, Editor of Zaobao.com cum Editor of Crossroads, Lianhe Zaobao and Mr See Yong Sheng, Chief Executive Officer of ITT Global Learning. They were heartened to see that young Singaporeans were aware of the issues facing their generation today and were satisfied with the students’ outstanding performance.
After an afternoon of lively yet exciting debate, Hwa Chong Institution finally emerged as the overall champion of the Business China Youth Showdown. The top three teams of the Youth Showdown, including Singapore Polytechnic Team 1 and Nanyang Girls’ High School, were awarded complimentary access to the prestigious FutureChina Global Forum held on 20 and 21 July at Shangri-La Hotel Singapore.
One of the participants, Calynn Tan Shu Wen from Nanyang Girls’ High School, felt that she gained a deeper understanding of “One Belt One Road” after the showdown, because “after our own research as well as listening to the other participants’ coming to this issue from different point of views, it is really interesting to hear different standpoint.” The young audience were also engaged, as evident from students listening attentively and jotting down notes while the teams were presenting on stage.