English translation, for reference only
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Honourable Deputy Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security, Mr Teo Chee Hean;
Minister for Manpower, Mr Lim Swee Say;
Ministers of State, Parliamentary Secretaries;
The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, His Excellency Chen Xiaodong;
Group CEO of OCBC Bank, Mr Samuel Tsien;
Board Advisers and Directors of Business China;
Distinguished guests, ladies & gentlemen,
A very good evening!
I am indeed very honoured to be here with you tonight, to witness the sixth Business China Awards ceremony, and to celebrate Business China’s eighth anniversary. On behalf of the Business China Board and Secretariat, I warmly welcome Deputy Prime Minister Mr Teo Chee Hean, and all our distinguished guests to this evening’s Awards ceremony.
The annual Business China Awards is a meaningful award aimed at honouring outstanding individuals and organisations for their contributions towards Singapore-China relations, and the promoting of Chinese language and culture in Singapore.
As Singapore celebrates its Golden Jubilee this year, Singapore and China also celebrate 25 years of diplomatic relations. Over the years, trade between the 2 countries has continually increased, mutual collaboration between the two people has deepened, creating one milestone after another. In commemoration of the Double Jubilee, visits of the highest level were conducted by both countries.
At the beginning of July, President Tony Tan visited China. Earlier this month, China’s President Xi Jinping made his State Visit to Singapore, reaffirming the “wide-ranging, indepth, and high-level all round cooperative partnership” enjoyed by the countries. He also announced that the third government-to-government project will be “operated out of Chongqing”. As China continues to pursue economic restructuring and industrial upgrading, coupled with the “One Belt One Road” initiative, the prospects for bilateral collaboration will definitely broaden.
In the presence of PM Lee and President Xi, both countries signed 8 memoranda of agreement, including the launch of discussions to upgrade the China-Singapore FTA, opening up more opportunities for collaboration in the areas of trade, education and urban development. President Xi, whilst looking forward to future collaborations, also paid tribute to Singapore’s Founding Prime Minister, Business China’s Founding Patron Mr Lee Kuan Yew, and his immense contributions towards establishing Singapore-China relations.
Business China was launched 8 years ago by Singapore’s Founding Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, with the mission to nurture an inclusive bilingual and bicultural group of Singaporeans and to develop a cultural and economic bridge linking the world and China. Although the great man had passed on, I deeply believed that his passion is with us.
Business China has important missions, and I believe that under the leadership of our newly appointed CEO, Ms Sun Xueling, Business China will be able to fulfill our founding mission of promoting bilingualism and biculturalism, and to ride on the wave of opportunities of the growing China’s economy.
各位先生们、女士们
建国总理李光耀先生，在8年前创立通商中国，旨在搭建联系新中文化和经济的桥梁。这个高瞻远瞩的愿景，使新加坡能够继续作为东西方之间商业与文化联系的纽带。我相信在新任总裁，孙雪玲女士的领导下，通商中国将竭尽所能，延续创会理念，推动国人更好的掌握双语双文化，把握中国经济崛起的契机。
今年新中欢庆建交25周年，在这25年间，双边互惠合作不断加深，为两国企业和人民带来无数互利机遇。
随着苏州工业园区和天津生态城的成功，习近平主席在本月初的访新期间，宣布正式启动“以重庆市为运营中心”的第三个政府间合作项目。
新加坡也同时是两岸领导人习近平先生和马英九先生会面的首选地点，象征了我国在促进多边关系方面微小而重要的角色。
随着中国不断推进经济转型和产业升级，再加上“一带一路”以及亚洲基础设施投资银行的倡议，新中两国的合作前景势必将更加广阔。
The first 25 years of Singapore-China diplomatic relations is indeed fruitful. In order to better record and commemorate this significant milestone, and to inspire future bilateral developments, Business China and Lianhe Zaobao co-published the Singapore-China 25th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations Commemorative Book.
The book was presented to President Xi Jinping during his State Visit to Singapore by our Patron, Prime Minister Mr Lee Hsien Loong. It is indeed our honour to play a small part in further enhancing Singapore-China bilateral relations.
The recipients of the Business China Awards, were also dedicated to enhancing Singapore-China relations. They are not only leaders in their respective fields, they are also important links in strengthening Singapore-China relations. Apart from developing their businesses and careers, these exemplary role models also actively foster mutual engagements, including in the areas of community and education services. I would like to extend my heartiest congratulations to this year’s recipients, and hope that the recognition will inspire others to continue to foster strong bilateral ties between Singapore and China.
Since our establishment, Business China has been receiving strong support from individual and corporate partners, and I herewith express my heartfelt gratitude. Business China Awards is into the 6th year, and I would like to specially thank our Co-presenter, OCBC Bank, for their strong support towards this prestigious award; and the judging panel who took time off their busy schedule to conduct a rigorous selection process. We look forward to your continued support, as we work together to deepen bilateral collaborations and developments.
Thank you!