Some 600 students from Junior Colleges, IP Schools, Polytechnics and Universities participated in the China-Quotient Student Forum held on 29 April at Temasek Junior College. Guest speaker Dr Martin Jacques, author of the global best-seller “When China Rules the World: the End of the Western World and the Birth of a New Global Order”, shared his candid views and unique perspective of the global impact of the imminent rise of China and ways in which Singaporean youths can better adapt to ride the waves of a new world order.
Dr Jacques began his keynote presentation with the comparison of United States (US) and China’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) over the years and stated that based on Purchasing Power Parity (PPP), the Chinese economy has already overtaken the American economy in 2014. As projected by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), by 2019, China’s economy will be 20% larger than the US economy.
Dr Jacques also proposed that China, being fundamentally different from the West, will progress and rise to global dominance in her own unique manner. He also urged the audience to really understand China through a different lens and not through the mainstream Western perspective. Citing historical statistics and illustrations, Dr Jacques spoke of the East’s and the West’s contrasting approaches and attitudes with regards economic, military, historical and cultural expansion and methods of engagements.
The highly-interactive panel discussion and Q&A session attracted many questions from the students regarding pertinent issues that China faces today, including the property sector bubble, environmental pollution, slowing economy, corruption and relations with its neighbours.
Jointly organised by Business China and Temasek Junior College, the Forum conducted in English and themed ‘When China Rules the World’, aims to reiterate the importance for Singaporean youths to strengthen their bilingualism and biculturalism advantage, in light of the global economic shift to the East.
General Manager of Business China, Ms Veronica Xiong, highlighted the necessity to promote bilingualism and biculturalism in her address. “China’s rapid growth offers abundant opportunities on many fronts, be it in terms of internships, career advancements or business opportunities, hence it is important that you, as the leaders of tomorrow, are able to seize these opportunities and ride the China wave. As China’s society is constantly evolving, it is necessary for us to always keep abreast of her developments and understand its relevance to Singapore.
Principal of Temasek Junior College, Ms Susan Leong, said in her welcome remarks that Singapore, with the bilingual language policy, has been preparing its youth for the opportunities brought about by the re-emergence of China as a global power. She also remarked that the school has been at the forefront of developing students who are well versed with China since the introduction of the Chinese Language Elective Programme in 1990 and the China Studies module in 2007.
Seah Si Yun, a Temasek Junior College Year 1 student enjoyed Dr Jacques’ insightful sharing during the Forum. “This is my first time attending a China-Quotient Forum. My knowledge of China’s history is limited but through Dr Jacques’ sharing, I acquired a deeper understanding of China’s path over the years and I am inspired to think of China in a different perspective.”
Lee Yann Yih, a Millennia Institute student expressed that, “Listening to Dr Jacques was an eye-opening experience. I am now interested in finding out more about China and to explore opportunities to work in China and experience how it is really like.”