Genesis

Having been personally involved in the Suzhou Industrial Park project and undertaking his own bilingual journey (“My Bilingual Journey” 2006), MM Lee believed that Singaporeans should be bilingual and bicultural so as to be ready for China’s growing influence in the region and to be able to leverage on opportunities. Business China was thus launched in November 2007, witnessed by MM Lee, the Founding Patron of Business China, and Mr Wen Jiabao, Former Premier of the People's Republic of China, and Mr Chua Thian Poh, Founding Chairman of Business China, to promote a greater understanding of China amongst Singaporeans and to cultivate China-ready skills amongst young Singaporeans.

Founding Patron

Mr Lee Kuan Yew
Founding Prime Minister, Singapore

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong inaugurated the 4th Board in 2016 of Business China

Patron

Mr Lee Hsien Loong
Prime Minister, Singapore

In October 2016, Patron of Business China, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong inaugurated the 4th term of the Board of Business China with his personal guidance of Business China's future strategy and direction.

Member of Parliament, Chairman of the Board of Directors of OUE, Mr Lee Yi Shyan took over the helm as Chairman from Mr Chua Thian Poh, chairman and chief executive officer of Ho Bee Land Ltd.

The Board consists of cabinet ministers, business community leaders and industry experts.

Business China 10th Anniversary (2017)

Since its inception, Business China has been engaging youths and business leaders, through forums, dialogues, courses and study trips, to better understand a rapidly-changing China.

In 2017, Business China celebrated 10 years of bridging Singapore-China business and social exchanges, and 8 years of honouring outstanding individuals and enterprises for taking bilateral understanding to greater heights.

Business China Patron (PM Lee Hsien Loong), Board Advisers and Directors at the 10th anniversary.

Recipients of Business China Awards (2010–2017).

Business China Youth Chapter 10th Anniversary

Business China Youth Chapter (BCYC) celebrated its 10^th Anniversary on 11 Oct 2019 with the launch of Business China Summer School Scholarship Programme - an initiative by the BCYC to offer more opportunities for Singaporean youths to enrich their academic experience beyond Singapore and learn more about China.

The celebration was graced by Minister Josephine Teo, Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Home Affairs as the Guest-of-Honour, who spoke at the dialogue session titled “Singapore – China Relations: What Role can Youths Play in the Next Decade and Beyond?”

An MOU was also signed between Business China and Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry to promote deep appreciation of Singaporean Chinese business culture and entrepreneurial spirit, and enhance Singaporean youths’ understanding of China’s economy and culture.

Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat welcomes new Board members as 5th Term commences

Business China held the first board meeting following the commencement of the new three-year term starting 1 October 2019.

The new board welcomes a new advisor in Ms Grace Fu, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth. The other advisors are Minister Gan Kim Yong, Minister Chan Chun Sing and Minister Ong Ye Kung. Business China also welcomes four new board members in Ms Sim Ann, Senior Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth, Ms Jane Sun, Chief Executive Officer of Trip.com Group, Mr Sherman Kwek Eik Tse, Chief Executive Officer of City Developments Limited and Mr Mark Lee Kean Phi, Chief Executive Officer of Sing Lun Holdings Pte Ltd.

Mr Lee Yi Shyan, Chairman of Business China would like to put on record our most profound appreciation to the outgoing advisers - Minister of Manpower and Second Minister of Home Affairs, Mrs Josephine Teo, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Secretary-General of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), Mr Ng Chee Meng; board members - Chairman & Managing Director of Teckwah Industrial Corporation Ltd, Mr Thomas Chua, Chairman & CEO of EnGro Corporation Ltd, Mr Tan Cheng Gay and CEO of MTQ Corporation Limited, Mr Kuah Boon Wee; for their active participation and generous guidance provided to Business China for many years.

Current Developments of Business China

Business China continues to champion bilingualism and biculturalism in Singapore, taking into account the changes within Singapore and in the region, and a far more sophisticated and advanced China today.

We work with an eco-system of local partners (enterprises, government agencies and educational institutes) and Chinese counterparts to strengthen mutual understanding and to build closer relations.