5 September (Singapore) – The three organisations representing the Chinese community in Singapore – Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations (SFCCA), Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCCI) and Business China (BC) – jointly organised a Celebratory Dinner for Singapore’s Founding Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s 90th birthday this evening. The celebration also serves as a tribute to Mr Lee, who is widely respected for the pivotal role that he has played in the Chinese community as well as his invaluable contributions to the development of Sino-Singapore relations.
The Visionary Leader
Mr Lee Kuan Yew is a visionary leader whose extraordinary wisdom and foresight paved the way for closer bilateral ties between Singapore and China. His emphasis on bilingualism and biculturalism has put Singapore in good stead to ride on China’s success as the global economic gravity gradually shifts to the east. This has led to the growth of the Chinese community in Singapore as well as Singapore’s continued economic success.
In honour of Mr Lee’s exceptional contributions and commitment towards fostering Sino-Singapore bilateral ties, he was presented the ‘Business China Lifetime Achievement Award’. Mr Lee is the Patron of Business China, an organisation committed to promoting bilingualism and biculturalism, with the aim of cultivating a pool of China-ready and China-savvy Singaporeans.
A commemorative book entitled ‘Lee Kuan Yew and Singapore-China Relations’《李光耀与新中关系》, commissioned by Business China, was also unveiled. The book documented significant milestones in the development of Sino-Singapore ties, showcasing Mr Lee’s relationship with 5 generations of China’s leaders, as well as his 33 visits to China within a span of approximately 40 years. Many photos featured in the book were never before published. All 800 guests were each presented with a copy of the book, which is produced in limited quantities and not available for sale.
Appreciation from the Heart
The celebratory dinner also featured a heartfelt birthday song specially composed and choreographed by the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Arts and Cultural Troupe. Guests were also invited to pen their well wishes for Mr Lee and these were screened live throughout the evening. An exquisite gift in the form of a “liuli” art piece entitled “Glorious Benevolence” was jointly presented by the three Chinese community organisations in celebration of Mr Lee’s 90th birthday.
Mr Chua Thian Poh, President of SFCCA, Honorary President of SCCCI & Chairman of Business China, represented the three major Chinese community organisations to deliver the welcome address. Mr Chua said: “Mr Lee Kuan Yew, our founding prime minister, is undoubtedly one of the most visionary leaders of our times. His strong conviction, extraordinary foresight and great wisdom have transformed Singapore from a Third World Country to a modern global city. We are indebted to Mr Lee for all that he has done for Singapore.”
Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, Speaker of Parliament Halimah Yacob, cabinet ministers as well as prominent Chinese community leaders also attended the celebratory dinner. As Mr Lee Kuan Yew was unable to attend the event, he was represented by his son, Mr Lee Hsien Yang.
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For more information, please contact:
Ms Eunice Ong
Assistant Manager (Corporate Communications & Go East)
Business China
Tel: (65) 6213 0413
Email: eunice@businesschina.org.sg
Mr Robin Heng
Director, Publicity & Events
SFCCA
Tel: (65) 6643 6474
Mobile: (65) 9782 9926
Email: robin@sfcca.sg
Ms Queenie Ho
Senior Executive Corporate Communications & Strategic Relations
SCCCI
Tel: (65) 6337 8381 (ext 125)
Mobile: (65) 9758 8733
Email: queenie@sccci.org.sg
About SFCCA
Established in 1986, Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations (SFCCA) is the apex body of the Chinese clan associations in Singapore, with PM Lee Hsien Loong named as our first Patron in 2011.
The Federation’s primary objectives are to promote understanding and appreciation of Chinese language, culture and values; to lead the Chinese clan associations in Singapore, as well as, organise and support educational, cultural and community activities. The Federation now boasts a membership of 207.
For more information, please visit: www.sfcca.sg/en.
About SCCCI
Established in 1906, the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCCI) is an internationally renowned business organisation and the apex body of the Chinese business community in Singapore. It is the founder of the biennial World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention and the World Chinese Business Network (www.wcbn.com.sg), a global online business information portal. It plays a key and pro-active role in representing the interests of the local business community. In its continued drive for service excellence, the SCCCI has become the first business chamber in the region that has been awarded ISO 9001:2000 certification since 1995. In 2009, the Chamber successfully upgraded its ISO certification to ISO 9001:2008.
The SCCCI has a membership network of 148 trade associations and 4,000 corporate entities including large financial and business organisations, multinational corporations, government-linked companies, small and medium enterprises from a wide spectrum of trades and industries. These members together provide vast resources and opportunities which enable the SCCCI to develop an influential global Chinese business network for business, education, culture and community development. In return, they share a strong sense of pride and identity together and benefit immensely from the SCCCI’s membership services, facilities and activities.
About Business China
Business China was launched in November 2007 by Singapore’s Founding Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew and former Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. We are a platform integrating language, economic and cultural elements. Our mission is to nurture an inclusive bilingual and bicultural group of Singaporeans through extensive use of the Chinese language as the medium of communication, so as to sustain our multi-cultural heritage, and to develop a cultural and economic bridge linking the world and China.
For more information, please visit www.businesschina.org.sg/en.