Dear Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Heng Swee Keat,
Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Sustainability and Environment and the Ministry of Manpower Dr. Koh Poh Koon,
Senior Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and the Ministry of Social and Family Development Mr. Eric Chua,
Excellencies Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Board members of Business China, Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
1. Good morning! Welcome to the 15th edition of the FutureChina Global Forum.
Thanking Speakers, Partners and Sponsors:
2. This year our forum has invited 44 speakers and moderators from around the world and Singapore to share with over 900 attendees. In addition to guests from Singapore, China, Europe, the United States, and ASEAN countries, there are also more than twenty diplomats present. Additionally, this year’s forum is supported by 15 strategic partners including government bodies such as the Ministry of Trade and Industry and various business associations, 17 sponsors like OCBC and the Bank of China, and 7 media partners. On behalf of Business China, I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all our partners and supporters who have shown their dedication and interest in our cause!
FutureChina Global Forum’s position:
3. The 15th year marks an important milestone. Since our inception, FutureChina Global Forum has adhered to a pragmatic, forward-looking approach, designing its agenda and topics in line with China’s economic development trends, regional growth directions, and evolving international dynamics. The forum strives to provide participants with the latest, most accurate business insights, helping the business community uncover new opportunities arising from the robustly growing bilateral and multilateral economic and trade cooperation between Singapore and China. We would like to specially thank our Patron Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, the five advisory ministers, and the eighteen board members for their dedication and guidance. With the support of individuals and institutions from all sectors of society, FutureChina Global Forum has developed into a bilingual international forum that brings together resources from government, industry, commerce, academia, and research. The forum focuses on changes in the global political and economic landscape, particularly trends in the Chinese market, and is committed to promoting cooperation between Singapore, China, and regional markets.
Leading by Example:
4. Cultivating bilingual and bicultural talent has always been our mandate. At today’s forum, we have invited several ministers to join us in person. They lead by example, communicating and sharing insights in both languages, setting an excellent example for the younger generation.
5. We are very honoured to have Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat as our Guest of Honour at today’s Opening Ceremony, and Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Patron of Business China, for serving as the Guest of Honour at the evening’s fireside chat. Additionally, we express our gratitude to Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, Minister Grace Fu, Minister Chan Chun Sing, Minister Josephine Teo, Senior Minister of State Koh Poh Koon, Senior Minister of State Tan Kiat How, Minister of State Alvin Tan, and Senior Parliamentary Secretary Eric Chua for their respective participation in the welcome dinner, keynote forum, roundtable discussions, and youth forum.
Forum Theme:
6. Currently, the world is facing numerous complex geopolitical challenges. The Russia-Ukraine war, armed conflicts in the Middle East, the rise of protectionism and nationalism, economic ‘deglobalisation,’ and the trend of ‘supply chain restructuring’ all bring significant uncertainties to our future development.
7. The 45th ASEAN Summit series was held last week in Vientiane, the capital of Laos. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, summarising the summit, shared that ASEAN and its partners have shown that there is another way—we can work together and benefit from more integrated development rather than becoming increasingly isolated. We can gain from win-win cooperation and free trade, which is precisely what ASEAN and its partnering countries are doing.
8. Therefore, despite numerous uncertainties, we can still look forward to drivers that benefit global economic growth. This includes ASEAN’s promising economic outlook, the rise of India’s economy, China’s recent rollout of economic stimulus measures, and the soft landing of the U.S. economy. Of course, we remain hopeful that the U.S. presidential elections will lead to stability, which in turn enables harmonious development in a multipolar world.
Brand Refresh:
9. Since its establishment in 2007, Business China has been on this journey for 17 years. At its core, the founding intention remains unchanged. As external circumstances undergo significant changes, we aim to infuse Business China with modern, easily recognisable elements that are professional, neutral, and adaptable across diverse contexts. We seek to continue interpreting Business China’s role while maintaining traditions. We are refreshing our brand, primarily to strengthen our communication capabilities in the new media era. Moving forward, we will continue to emphasise Business China’s role as a bridge between the Eastern and Western languages, culture, business, and government, attracting more young people to join us, and cultivating a bilingual, bicultural core in the business community.
Conclusion:
10. Since the end of World War II in the last century, human civilisation has made significant strides in economic and social development. Over the past 80 years, global economic output has increased 10 to 15 times, with the economic center shifting from the G7 countries, which dominated the global economy in the 1980s, to the G20 nations in the 2000s. Looking forward, the economic growth of emerging markets, such as the BRICS countries, will become increasingly influential. The question we now face is: In a multipolar world, can the global economy still maintain some degree of integration? Does geopolitical multipolarity necessarily mean that the global economy must follow suit and become fragmented? Today’s forum, therefore, aims to discuss “How can we enhance cooperation in a multipolar world?”
11. We eagerly look forward to hearing and learning from the valuable insights of experts, exploring future opportunities and challenges from various perspectives, including geopolitics, economic development, the rise of artificial intelligence, shifts in consumer trends, green economy initiatives, and the evolution of digital finance. Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, let us dive deep into China insights and gain global perspectives with an open mind. Wishing everyone a fulfilling and rewarding day.
Thank you, everyone!