Our Guest of Honour, Former Minister Mentor Mr Lee Kuan Yew
His Excellency Wei Wei
Minister in Prime Minister’s Office, Mr Lim Swee Say
Minister for National Development, Mr Khaw Boon Wan
Minister for Health, Mr Gan Kim Yong
Chairman of Business China, Mr Chua Thian Poh
Distinguished guests, Ladies and gentlemen
Good evening.
Once again, I am honoured to be standing in front of this esteemed audience. It has been three years since the beginning of our partnership with the Business China Awards. While the global market has had its fair share of ups and downs, we have been fortunate enough to see continued strong growth between Singapore and China.
As Singapore’s second-largest trading partner and second-largest source of tourism, China’s growth has contributed significantly to our local economy. In turn, with investments worth more than US$6 billion last year, Singapore has risen to become China’s fourth largest foreign investor.
Thirty years ago, China was still classified under R.O.W (rest of the world). Twenty years ago, there was no major country in the world that could cite China as their major trading partner. Now, no major trading nation would not-not mention China as one of their important trading partners. Instead of “Greater China”, a term coined to refer to China, Hong Kong and Taiwan as an integrated economic region, the term “Global China” now seems to be ready for use given its impact on the world economy and the expansion of Chinese enterprises overseas. The term CNH refers to offshore Yuan which was first created and authorized in Hong Kong under the RmB internationalization program, with H meant to refer to Hong Kong. Now given its demand and readiness in many other overseas markets with London and Singapore included, it is perhaps more apt to refer CNH as Chinese Yuen Haiwai, instead of Chinese Yuen Hong Kong – still “H” but beyond Hong Kong to all of Haiwai.
華僑銀行跟中國的關係, 早在1925年就開始，當年我們在廈門開設了第一家分行。今天，我們的業務擴大到中國八個主要城市，並計劃在更多的城市繼續拓展我們的分行網。目前，作爲一家中國本地注冊的銀行，我們擁有35億元人民幣的注冊資本，而員工人數也達到了800人。另外，我們也分別在寧波銀行、中航信托公司，以及重慶的合資保險公司進行投資。華僑銀行在中國已經有80多年的曆史，我們非常榮幸有機會延續這段和中國人民的友誼。
[From our very first branch opening in China, in Xiamen in 1925, we have grown to 15 branches and sub-branches across 8 major cities in China, with plans to expand our network to more cities. We have now locally-incorporated our business with a registered capital of RMB 3.5 billion and expanded to over 700. We have also made investments in a local city commercial bank, Bank of Ningbo, a trust company, AVIC Trust, and a joint venture insurance company.]
今天晚上，我們相聚於此，是為了肯定克服挑戰, 迎難而上，開拓中國市場的企業和人士，表彰他们為促進新中友好關系所作出的重要貢獻。因為他們堅定不移的努力，造就了今天的成就，非常值得表揚。
[Tonight, we are here to recognize and celebrate the outstanding achievements of the enterprises and individual who have made a persistent and dedicated effort to overcome the challenges of adapting to the Chinese market and successfully achieve what they set out to accomplish.]
在此，我謹代表華僑銀行，向所有得獎者表示祝賀。我也特別要向李光耀先生致以最崇高的敬意，因為您的超前遠見，在五年前，和中國溫家寶總理共同為我們兩地的未來經濟, 商貿, 社會和文化交流創立了通商中國這個平臺。華僑銀行非常榮幸，能夠擔任2012年通商中國獎的聯合呈獻機構。
[On behalf of OCBC Bank, I would like to congratulate the recipients on their well deserved recognition. I particularly wish to offer my highest respect to Mr Lee Kuan Yew for the foresight of creating the Business China platform together with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao five years ago for us. OCBC is proud to be a co-presenter for the 2012 Business China Awards.]
祝大家有個愉快的晚上。謝謝。
[Thank you and I wish you all a pleasant evening.]