SINGAPORE, 27 OCTOBER 2023 – Business China held the eleventh edition of the biennial Business China Awards (BCA) at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre tonight. The BCA recognises the outstanding contributions of businessmen, entrepreneurs, and organisations to strengthening Singapore-China relations as well as fostering bilingualism and biculturalism in Singapore. The event is jointly presented by OCBC, who has been a strong supporter of the BCA since its inception in 2010.
The evening was graced by Mr Heng Swee Keat, Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies of Singapore. Attendees of the BCA 2023 engaged in an enlightening fireside chat with the Deputy Prime Minister, where he shared his perspectives on China’s post-pandemic economic recovery, the country’s technological rivalry with the US, as well as the prospects for Singapore-China relations. Earlier today, Mr Heng Swee Keat was also the Guest of Honour for the fourteenth edition of the FutureChina Global Forum (FCGF), where thought leaders exchanged perspectives on regional and China’s economic development as we head towards 2024.
The evening also featured a tribute to Mr Lee Kuan Yew on his 100th birth anniversary. Attendees witnessed the premiere of a video that honours Mr Lee’s invaluable contributions as Business China’s Founding Patron.
Mr Lee Yi Shyan, Chairman of Business China, said: “Past and present winners of the Business China Awards come from a diverse range of sectors–the arts, charities, to healthcare, academic institutions, government officials, and more. This fully demonstrates that the Singapore-China relationship is multi-faceted, laying a strong foundation for even deeper and stronger engagements in the future. Looking ahead, we must continue to nurture our youths so that such special relations can be extended to the future generations.”
Mr Roland Ng San Tiong, Managing Director and Group CEO of Tat Hong Holdings Ltd, was awarded the Business China Excellence Award, which honours individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to enhancing Singapore-China relations. Mr Ng took over his family business, Tat Hong Holdings, and actively expanded the company’s footprint across Southeast Asia, Australia, and China to become one of the largest crawler crane rental companies in the world. Mr Ng also served as the President of the 59th and 60th Councils of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI). During his tenures, the SCCCI assisted Singaporean companies who sought to enter the Chinese market through the Singapore Enterprise Centres and organised the Conference on International Industrial Cooperation in Singapore.
The Business China Enterprise Award was awarded to the SSTEC (Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City Investment and Development Co., Ltd), for the development of the China-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City. This is the second flagship Government-to-Government project between the two countries. The project was mooted by then-Singapore Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and former Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in April 2007. Celebrating its fifteenth anniversary this year, the Tianjin Eco-City continues to enable both countries to innovate, collaborate, and collectively deepen their mutual understanding of urban development and management, including fields such as sustainable development, urban planning, and environmental protection. The Tianjin Eco-City is also one of the first batch of China’s Smart City Pilot Zones and China’s first National Green Development Demonstration Zone.
Mr Jeffrey Tiong, Founder and CEO of Patsnap, was recognised with the Business China Young Achiever Award. As a start-up with its roots in Singapore and branched out to China in its early stages of development, Patsnap, which has surpassed the valuation of USD$1 billion to achieve unicorn status, serves as a shining example for young bilingual and bicultural talents. Under Mr Tiong’s leadership, Patsnap launched an online learning hub with over 200,000 students and corporate users, on specialised topics such as intellectual property. In addition, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Patsnap provided free access to their tools for customers and organisations around the world, including China and Singapore, to minimise disruptions to their work. Mr Tiong has also been recognised as Singapore’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year in 2018 and named in Fortune China magazine’s “40 Business Elites Under 40” in 2022.
Mr Chia Kim Huat, Chairman of the BCA Judging Panel, said: “COVID has caused major disruptions to lives and livelihoods, and our awardees this evening stood out because of their resilience, fortitude and outstanding contributions to China-Singapore relations amidst adversity. Confronted with challenges, they have consistently generated innovative solutions, adopted positive mindsets to learn and adapt. Their stories can provide motivation and inspiration for subsequent generations and leaders of tomorrow.”
The BCA epitomises the essence of Business China’s vision of developing a core pool of Singaporean bilingual and bicultural talents, who bridges the world with China, enhances Singapore’s relevance on the global stage, and strengthens Singapore-China relations. Our awardees, in their exceptional endeavours, symbolise the broader aspirations Business China holds for a collaborative and prosperous future between Singapore and China.
Judging Panel
Chairman: Mr Chia Kim Huat
Corporate & Transactional Group,
Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP
Lim Hock Chee
Vice President
Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI)
Ong Tze Guan
Chairman
Singapore Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China (Singcham)
Tan Zhi Yong
President
China Enterprises Association (Singapore) (CEA)
Chen De Ming
Former Minister
Ministry of Commerce of China
Wong Kai Jiun
Director General (Northeast Asia)
Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA)
Adrian Ng See Woei
Senior Director, North East Asia
Singapore Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI)
Tan Teck Long
Executive Vice President and Head of Global Wholesale Banking
OCBC Bank
Liang Xin Jun
Former Vice Chairman and CEO
Fosun International
Foo Ji Xun
Managing Partner
GGV Capital
Lee Chee Koon
Group CEO
CapitaLand
Tin Pei Ling
Board Member
Business China
Tan Choon Shian
Chief Executive
Tote Board
Han Yong Hong
Associate Editor
Lianhe Zaobao