(English translation, for reference only)
Distinguished Senior Minister of State for Trade, Industry and National Development, Mr Lee Yi Shyan
Principal & CEO of Singapore Polytechnic, Mr Tan Hang Cheong
Chief Operating Officer of CapitaLand Limited, Mr Lim Ming Yan
Dear Guests, Teachers and Students,
Good afternoon!
I am heartened by the overwhelming participation of the over 500 teachers and students here at the “China-Quotient Student Forum” today, despite it’s a long weekend. First of all, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to our speakers SMS Lee and Mr Lim, for taking time off to share with us today, from three different segments, that is, from big to small, from far to near, and from inside to outside, their working experiences in China, as well as the in-depth views of China’s current and future situations. I would also like to thank Ms Lui Fong Ching as our moderator today.
Come 8 November, China will convene the 18th National Congress. Key topics like the country’s economy and future development trends should fall into place thereafter. Through the panel discussion today, it is clear that it is only through active learning of Chinese and Mandarin that we will be better attuned to keep pace with China’s developments, and upkeep our “China-Quotient” (CQ).
This CQ Student Forum is one of the signature youth programmes rolled out by Business China. Since our inception in 2007, Business China has been striving to nurture an inclusive bilingual and bicultural group of Singaporeans, through extensive use of the Chinese language as the medium of communication, so as to sustain our multi-cultural heritage, and to develop a cultural and economic bridge linking the world and China.
This year, we are celebrating our fifth anniversary and we will be presenting close to 60 events and programmes. Through these diversified platforms, we hope that you will get to learn more about China and Chinese culture, to experience the evolving Chinese society, and to upkeep your Chinese language skills. For example, updating our Facebook and Weibo regularly, providing latest updates on China-related news, from both Chinese and English sources. So, join us at Business China, “Like” us and be our friends!
Last but not least, I would like to thank our co-organiser, Singapore Poly, for the support rendered by Principal & CEO Mr Tan Hang Cheong and all lecturers, for making this forum a success. We hope that all of you will walk away being inspired to stay competitive and be the pillar of our country by being bilingual and bicultural.
I wish all of you a pleasant weekend. Thank you!