– Business China marks 5th anniversary with the largest scale youth forum
Some 1,200 youths took home with a deeper understanding on biculturalism and its importance after attending the C-Quotient Student Forum 2012 organised by Business China and Pioneer Junior College on 31 March, a Saturday morning.
It was the largest scale youth forum to-date since Business China launched the Forum in 2010. In conjunction with the fifth anniversary celebration of Business China, more than 40 events and programmes were being lined up, and the Forum is one of the exciting programmes rolled out especially for students.
Guest-of-Honour Mr Lim Swee Say, Minister, Prime Minister’s Office, shared his China experience with the students from 15 secondary schools and junior colleges at the Forum.
In his keynote presentation, Minister Lim shared many interesting personal anecdotes dealing with the Chinese on his first visit to China in 1985 and working on China-Suzhou Industrial Park Project in the late 90s.
Minister Lim added China had surpassed Japan to become the world’s second-largest economy after the United States. He told the youths China would certainly be a part of their future so they should keep abreast with its developments.
The changes in China as described by him were “beyond imagination” which was why he insisted in visiting China annually to witness the evolution.
Minister Lim urged students to capitalise on the strategic location, multilingual and multicultural populace of Singapore, to manoeuvre between the East and West.
“We learn from the best of the West, we learn the best of the East, we put them together (using an) eclectic approach, and adapt it,” said Minister Lim, adding that “uniquely Singapore is our biggest strength” – a mindset and values that Singaporeans, especially the youths ought to possess.
Minister Lim later shared the stage with 2 other speakers at the plenary discussion. They were Ms Han Yong Hong, Beijing Chief Correspondent of Lianhe Zaobao; Mr Lim Der Shing, CEO of JobsCentral Pte Ltd.
The students also gained great insights from the speakers who shared practical tips from different perspectives, as well as pointers on living in China and working with the locals.
Many students were very eager to engage the speakers with a variety of questions on China related issues.
When asked in what ways Singapore could leverage on a country with different social problems like China, Ms Han said China’s imminent new leadership would roll out appropriate political reform as it developed further and the whole world would be watching closely on its movement. She also echoed Minister Lim’s comment that Singaporeans should maintain our relevance as integrating the East and the West system.
Session two of the forum continued with sharing by Mr Shaun Phua Swan Hwee, General Manager of Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall; Mdm Dilys Yong Mee Hiong, President of New Global Resources Pte Ltd; and Dr Chua Chee Lay, CEO of CL Lab.
Business China was heartened by the overwhelming participation of the students, including the non-Chinese. This illustrated the growing interest in China among the youths.
Ms Low Yen Ling, CEO of Business China, said: “The Forum aims to motivate youths who are interested in contemporary China, to keep pace with its rapid developments. Over the years, we have invited outstanding personalities from different industries, to share their perspectives on various themes. Through such sharing sessions, we hope to help them gain deeper understanding on China-related issues, and upkeep their China-Quotient, expand their horizon!”
Nur Afiqah was among the 15% non-Chinese students who attended the Forum which was conducted in both English and Mandarin. Currently taking the PJC China Studies programme, she said: “I used to think that I would never be related to China in any way. However, like what Minister Lim just said, ‘it doesn’t matter if your future is not in China, but China will certainly be a part of your future’! Who knows, someday I may really pursue my studies or work in China”.
Yap Jun Weng and Yong Huey Chyi, both scholars of River Valley High School’s Bicultural Studies Programme (BSP), also commented that the Forum enhanced their knowledge towards contemporary China, and inspired them to further their studies in China.
Distinguished guests who attended the Forum held on Saturday, 31 March at PJC campus included Mr Sam Tan Chin Siong, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports; Mr Chua Thian Poh, Chairman of BusinessChina; as well as Board of Directors of Business China, and representatives from Ministry of Education and China Embassy in Singapore.