HONOURING OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUALS AND ENTERPRISE
– In recognition of their contributions towards the strengthening of Singapore-China relations
SINGAPORE, 28 November 2012 – Two outstanding Singaporean doctors and one of Asia’s largest real estate companies were honoured in this year’s Business China Awards, jointly presented by Business China and OCBC Bank.
For the third year running since its inaugural launch in 2010, the Business China Awards aim to honour exemplary businessmen, entrepreneurs, professionals and organisations for their successful contributions to Singapore-China bilateral relations as well as the appreciation of Chinese language and culture.
The Business China Awards 2012 Ceremony & Banquet was graced by Former Minister Mentor and Business China Patron, Mr Lee Kuan Yew.
The event, held in conjunction with Business China’s fifth anniversary celebration, took place at Resorts World Sentosa on 28 November. Jointly launched by Mr Lee Kuan Yew and Chinese Premier Mr Wen Jiabao in November 2007, Business China strives towards promoting bilingualism and biculturalism in Singapore, and deepening ties between Singapore and China to sustain and grow the global connectivity of Singapore.
The recipients of the Business China Awards 2012 are:-
Business China Excellence Award: Professor Arthur Lim Siew Ming
Acknowledged as Southeast Asia’s father of ophthalmology, 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. This benefitted close to half a million eye patients, who had their visions restored. Through personally providing pro-bono surgeries and donating generously to the eye centres in China, he has enhanced the Singapore-China relations through his keen philanthropic contributions. Held in high regard for his outstanding contributions, Prof Lim was honoured the exemplary “Friendship Award” by the Chinese Government.
Business China Enterprise Award: CapitaLand Group
CapitaLand is one of Asia’s largest real estate companies. CapitaLand China, CapitaLand Group’s umbrella brand for its businesses in 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.
Business China Young Achiever Award: Dr Loh Cheng
Choosing compassion over comfort, 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 most. Dr Loh is the second Singaporean to be conferred the prestigious “Caiyun” Award by the Yunnan Provincial Government in 2012.
The Judging Panel, comprising esteemed business leaders, respected academia and media magnates, went through a rigorous process to single out the final three recipients.
Mr Lim Chee Onn, Chairman of Business China Awards Judging Panel, shared that: “The nominations that we received from Singapore as well as the Greater China area were equally deserving of the Awards, and hence, the judging process had been most demanding. Coincidentally, we have two doctors receiving the awards this year. Besides being role models in their respective fields, they demonstrated extraordinary perseverance and braved dire circumstances in pursuit of their passion to serve the community. By honouring them, particularly the Young Achiever Award recipient, Dr Loh Cheng, we hope to inspire young Singaporeans to leverage on their bilingual and bicultural heritage for greater multiplying effect of their cause.” Mr Lim is the Senior International Advisor of Singbridge International and Board Member of Business China.
In his welcome speech, Mr Chua Thian Poh, Chairman of Business China, said: “The award recipients were not only the cream of the crop in their fields, their achievements and contributions in bridging Singapore and China relations also made them role models for everyone.” Mr Chua, who helmed Business China since day one, was also humbled by the enthusiastic responses and sustained support for each and every event organised by Business China in the past five years. Speaking on Business China’s future plan, Mr Chua said the organisation will continue to strive towards becoming the leading bilingual and bicultural platform for closer collaboration with China.
OCBC Bank is the Joint Presenter for the Business China Awards. “We at OCBC are proud to be associated with the Business China Award”, expressed Mr George Lee, Head of Global Corporate Banking, OCBC Bank. “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 path to success in China. As a Singapore bank with a long history in China, OCBC is well placed to leverage on our extensive network and knowledge of the Chinese market to partner enterprises that want to seek opportunities for growth in China.”
This joint celebration provided an exclusive opportunity for close to 800 members, partners and stake-holders of Business China, including distinguished business leaders, opinion makers, entrepreneurs, senior executives and eminent personalities from Singapore and China, to further interact and establish invaluable network.
For further enquiries, you may contact:
Eunice Ong (Ms)
Senior Associate (Corporate Communications & Go East)
Business China
Tel: 6213 0413
Email: eunice@businesschina.org.sg
About Business China
Business China was launched in November 2007 by our Patron Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. We are a platform integrating language, economic and cultural elements. Our mission is to nurture an inclusive bilingual and bi-cultural 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.
About OCBC Bank
OCBC Bank is the longest established Singapore bank, formed in 1932 from the merger of three local banks, the oldest of which was founded in 1912. It is now the second largest financial services group in Southeast Asia by assets and one of the world’s most highly-rated banks, with an Aa1 rating from Moody’s. It is ranked by Bloomberg Markets as the world’s strongest bank in 2011 and 2012.
OCBC Bank and its subsidiaries offer a broad array of specialist financial and wealth management services, ranging from consumer, corporate, investment, private and transaction banking to treasury, insurance, asset management and stockbroking services.
OCBC Bank’s key markets are Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Greater China. It has a network of over 500 branches and representative offices in 15 countries and territories, including about 400 branches and offices in Indonesia that are operated by its subsidiary, Bank OCBC NISP.
OCBC Bank’s insurance subsidiary, Great Eastern Holdings, is the largest insurance group in Singapore and Malaysia by assets. Its asset management subsidiary, Lion Global Investors, is one of the largest private sector asset management companies in Southeast Asia. Private banking services are provided by subsidiary Bank of Singapore, which continued to gain industry recognition in 2011 including being voted “Outstanding Private Bank in Asia Pacific” by Private Banker International.
For more information, please visit www.ocbc.com.