MOS Sam Tan encouraged Singaporean students to lead in the inter-connectedness with China and the world
The China-Quotient Youth Forum 2014 brought together Business China, Singapore Management University (SMU) School of Accountancy, and SMU Emerging Markets for the first time in organising this Forum to address the growing interest of Singaporean youths with the world’s largest economy –China. Held on 27 October at SMU Ngee Ann Kongsi Auditorium, this bilingual Forum attracted some 200 students across IP schools, junior colleges, polytechnics and universities. Minister of State for Prime Minister’s Office & Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, Mr Sam Tan, graced the Forum as the Guest-of-Honour and keynote speaker. Mr Chris Loo, Business Development Manager (China Markets), Horizon Impex Pte Ltd, was the guest speaker.
Themed “China: Connectivity for Future Growth”, the Forum aimed to reiterate the significance of Singaporean youths’ bilingualism and multicultural advantage, especially in light of the global economic shift to Asia, in particularly to China.
In his keynote speech, MOS Sam Tan emphasised that China is projected to be a fast-growing economy with great potential and will play increasingly vital roles in Southeast Asia as well as the rest of the world for many years to come. It is therefore essential for Singapore to continue to build on our strong relationship with China by promoting deeper and wider connections between people of the two countries.
During the panel discussion, MOS Tan shared two quintessential qualities for further connecting with the Chinese. The first being good Chinese literacy skills and fluency in Mandarin. The second, insights about China’s social-political culture and psyche. He said that one would be less able to build a strong relationship with Chinese counterparts without knowledge of the language and cultural norms of the constantly evolving Chinese society.
The second speaker, Mr Chris Loo, who has been living and working in China for more than five years, shared his personal learning curve of discovering China and navigating the systems and society. He also made references to historical stories from The Three Kingdoms; as well as the Chinese tea culture. Mr Loo said that it is very important to remain humble, to keep an open mind and to think strategically in order to succeed in China in the long run. He also encouraged students to build meaningful friendships with their schoolmates from China while they are studying in Singapore. Having close Chinese friends, he said, would help one appreciate the Chinese culture better. The connection may also come in handy when both sides collaborate to tap into the huge and complicated China market.
Tan Ming Jiang, a final year student from National University of Singapore who had studied and lived in Shanghai for a year, shared that, “The Forum had been very beneficial to me, as it reaffirms my intention to stay very engaged with China in the development of my future career.”