Business China Singapore celebrated its 15th anniversary with an appreciation ceremony on 16 February 2022. Launched on 19 November 2007 by Founding Patron and Founding PM Lee Kuan Yew, Business China’s mandate was to cultivate bilingualism and biculturalism amongst Singaporeans, sustain our multi-cultural heritage, and develop a cultural and economic bridge between China and the rest of the world.
15 years on, Business China celebrated the milestones and successes it has achieved since its inception, such as the establishment of the annual FutureChina Global Forum, the Business China Awards, and a vibrant pipeline of exchanges and dialogue sessions for youth, young executives, and business leaders across the region.
This important milestone was marked with the attendance of Guest of Honour Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong, Minister for Sustainability and Environment Grace Fu, Minister for Communications and Information Josephine Teo, Senior Minister of State for Health and Manpower Dr Koh Poh Koon, the Business China board members, and other representatives from trade associations and business chambers.
A panel discussion titled Inheriting the Past, Forging the Future, was held as part of the appreciation ceremony, and moderated by Business China Chairman Lee Yi Shyan. The panellists, Mr Lim Swee Say, Trustee and Adviser of National Trade Unions Congress (NTUC), Mr Zhong Sheng Jian, Founder, Chairman and CEO, Yanlord Land Group and Business China Board member, Mr Cheng Jun, General Manager, Bank of China Group (Singapore), and Ms Tan Bao Jia, Head of Economic Programmes, Ministry of Finance, discussed the impact and importance of the work done to build the bridge between Singapore and China, through bilingualism and biculturalism.
During his involvement in the setting up of Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP), Mr Lim Swee Say recalled a key discussion with his Chinese counterparts in which he highlighted the importance of mutually agreeing to the “big software” (key pillars) – economic competitiveness, social cohesion and sustainable development – as a pre-requisite to discussing the “small software” (details) in the partnership. Mr Lim also added, “It is indeed very important to be bilingual and bicultural, this is because one cannot communicate effectively if we can only speak the Chinese language but miss the nuances that culture imbues.”
In delivering the opening address, Mr Lee Yi Shyan shared, “Looking ahead, Business China will have to continue keeping close tabs on China’s technological development and the trajectory of emerging industries so that we can help Singaporeans and Singapore enterprises to “pulse read” (精准把脉) China’s latest economic and social developments accurately, and partake in China’s rapidly developing high-tech, clean energy; green and digital economy.”
As part of its 15th-year celebrations, Business China will be holding the 13th edition of the FutureChina Global Forum in [October], and a calendar of events including dialogues and panel discussions to create more platforms for learning and exchange between Singapore and China, cultivate bilingualism and biculturalism among Singaporeans and foster even better business ties among enterprises.