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SFCCA AND BUSINESS CHINA:
DEVOTED TO NURTURING BILINGUAL AND BI-CULTURAL TALENTS BY CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT CONDUCIVE FOR LEARNING

To usher in the Year of the Dragon , Singapore Federation Chinese Clan Associations (SFCCA) and Business China co-organise Spring Reception 2012 on the third day of the Lunar New Year, at the SFCCA Auditorium. Gracing the event as the guest-of-honour is Singapore Prime Minister, Mr Lee Hsien Loong. Other distinguished guests at the Spring Reception are Minister Lim Swee Say, Minister Gan Kim Yong, Chinese Ambassador to Singapore H.E. Wei Wei, Former Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng, Acting Minister Chan Chun Sing and other Members of Parliament.

This is the second consecutive year that SFCCA and Business China have collaborated to organise the Spring Reception. For the past one year, the two organisations have launched a wide range of programmes to promote the understanding and appreciation of Chinese language, culture and values, in particular, to stimulate youths’ interest in the Chinese culture and language. Both organisations are committed to one common goal, that is, to nurture an inclusive group of bilingual and bi-cultural talents in Singapore.

The setting up of the Lee Kuan Yew Fund for Bilingualism invigorates SFCCA and Business China. This fund will create awareness on the importance of bilingualism among Singaporeans, especially on the learning of Mother Tongue. SFCCA and Business China will continue to be devoted to the nurturing of bilingual and bi-cultural talents by creating conducive environment for learning.

In the welcome address, President of SFCCA and Chairman of Business China, Mr Chua Thian Poh said, “ To further strengthen the bonding between all bodies in the Chinese community, the Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Association is exploring the feasibility to establish a Chinese Cultural Centre, as a place for community interactions and activities as well as a platform to encourage and aid the new immigrants to better integrate into the society. The centre will not only promote Chinese arts and culture, traditions and customs, it will also showcase Singapore’s unique multicultural identity. In addition, the centre will host premium cultural performances, exhibitions and activities. SFCCA hopes through these efforts, promoting our local Chinese culture, as well as enhancing the interaction between the different races and ethnicity so as to help Singapore a more gracious, inclusive and harmonious society.” 

2011 also marks the inaugural year of the SFCCA ‘Clan of the Year’ award, which will see five clans receiving the awards from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Spring Reception. The five clans are The Nanyang Khek Community Guild, Foo Clan Association, Singapore Amoy Association, Singapore Foochow Association and Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan. These clans are honoured for achieving significant results in the promotion of Chinese culture and making profound impact on the clan, society or the nation. By setting up this award, SFCCA hope to motivate more clan associations to run innovative events to captivate youth’s interest to join the clans, so as to preserve the Chinese heritage.

In addition, to celebrate Business China’s 5th anniversary, more than 40 events are lined up in 2012. One of the new initiatives is the ‘FutureChina Advanced Leaders Programme’. It is the only general management programme in Asia to comprehensively address the complex dynamics between the social, political, cultural, and economics that are fuelling China’s rapid rise. Apart from arming the high-potential executives and business owners with in-depth understanding of the Chinese enterprise psyche, business landscape and economic paradigm, ‘FutureChina Advanced Leaders Programme’ will also impart first-hand experiences of the most ubiquitous aspects of Chinese culture, like appreciation of Chinese tea, wine culture, paintings, poetry and music etc, which may prove to be useful talking points to help them connect with their Chinese business counterparts. Business China hoped that participants of the Programme will be able to gain an insider’s understanding of China, giving them a distinct cultural advantage in the world where ‘guanxi’ matters. Eventually, the aim is to establish economic and cultural ‘bridges’ to strengthen the ties between Singapore and China.

Around 500 distinguished guests, clan leaders, Business China members and invited guests from different fields, network and exchange greetings at the joyous Spring Reception 2012.

Details of Spring Reception 2012
Date: 25th January 2012, Wednesday
Time: 10.30am to 12.30pm
Venue: Singapore Federation of Chinese Clan Associations Auditorium 397 Lor 2 Toa Payoh, Singapore 319639