Mrs Teo Khin Hiang, Principal of River Valley High School,
Our distinguished speakers: Associate Professor John Donaldson, 赵力涛博士, 老师们, 学生们, 大家下午好！
1. First of all, I would like to say a big thank you to Mrs Teo for her warm welcome. I am delighted that Business China is partnering River Valley High School again to create a unique, bilingual platform for our young Singaporeans to understand and analyse issues facing contemporary China, from both Eastern and Western viewpoints.
2. Last year’s inaugural China Studies Perspectives Forum brought together two experts on international relations, Professor Ted Hopf and Professor 李明江, to share their views on US-China relations. I was here last year and remember that discussions were lively and questions came fast and furious. This year, our forum has a different area of focus.
3. Globalisation has ushered in a world where people, capital, ideas, goods and services flow freely and seamlessly across the globe. Nations that have leveraged on these developments have seen tremendous economic growth and social transformation. China and Singapore have both benefitted from a globalised world.
4. China’s embrace of global trade and capital had propelled their economy to become the second largest in the world within a mere 3 decades and lifted more than 500 million Chinese people out of poverty. Yet, wealth disparity in China had also increased.
5. The adverse consequences of an unequal distribution of wealth, resources and opportunities for a nation’s social capital and fabric are very real. Communities disenchanted with the elusive benefits of globalisation are looking inwards, favouring leaders and social movements that advocate nationalist agendas and protectionist policies. This is happening in both developed and developing countries.
6. Ensuring equitable growth and social stability is a key focus in China. With more than 7 million university graduates every year, it is important for these young adults to feel they are able to achieve a decent standard of living and have a fair chance of achieving their dreams and aspirations. Failure to do so can lead to social unrest and loss of political legitimacy.
7. Singapore supports and believes in a strong, stable China. As an open city state and the largest foreign direct investor in China, China’s stability is beneficial and of great importance to Singapore. We have also been long term friends and wish each other well.
8. The inter-relations between globalisation and inequality is a multi-faceted one and I am glad that we have Associate Professor John Donaldson and 赵力涛 博士 with us to share their perspectives on the subject matter. We look forward to their exciting and insightful presentations.
9. Next, please allow me to continue in Mandarin.
10. 首先，很高兴通商中国能够再次与立化中学携手合作，为新加坡的年轻人创造一个透视中国时事动态的独特双语平台。
11. 首届透视中国双语论坛于去年正式展开，让在场的学生对中美关系之间的矛盾有了更深一层的了解。而今年的论坛，则会着重于探讨全球化与中国发展的问题。
12. 全球化为多个国家带来了巨大的经济利益与社会变化。对许多发展中国家而言，外来投资是一个重要的经济引擎，推动了经济的增长与国家的发展。中国短短三十年的迅速经济发展也有赖于全球化。然而，不是每个人都能够从中获益。社会的贫富差距有可能在全球化的过程当中逐渐扩大，危害社会稳定。
13. 全球化对各国家政府带来的主要挑战，是如何设法维持一个公平竞争的体系，帮助大家在迅速变迁的全球环境里取得立足之地，分得一杯羹。否则，不均的发展将会破坏社会的凝聚力，进而造成政治的动乱。这不仅是中国政府，也是新加坡政府，所要面对的挑战。因此，今天论坛的主题也与新加坡息息相关。
14. 全球化和社会不均发展的关系，错综复杂。因此，很高兴今天能够邀请到两位资深学者，来自新加坡管理大学的 Associate Professor John Donaldson 和东亚研究所的赵力涛博士，前来发表主题演讲。希望在座的学生在聆听之余，也可以思考问题，并在答问环节积极参与讨论。在此，预祝大家有个愉快、充实的午后。
15. 谢谢大家！