In close collaboration with the annual FutureChina Global Forum, Business China organised the inaugural FutureChina Youth Forum (FCYF) on 10 July. More than 350 students across various Junior Colleges, Polytechnics and Universities, as well as young leaders from the Chinese community, eminent leaders from the cultural, academia and political sectors, attended the event.
With the theme of ‘Engaging Youths to be Future-ready, China-savvy and responsible-socially’, the Forum is a new initiative by Business China which aims to provide a bilingual platform to equip Singaporean youths with a deeper understanding of the forces and factors shaping China’s emergence as the world’s largest economy and more importantly, the relevance of this to Singapore. By so doing, our future leaders will be able to gain a clearer perspective of the future world situation and be better prepared to ride on potential opportunities of growth.
Acting Minister for Culture, Youth and Community and Senior Minister of State for Communications and Information Mr Lawrence Wong graced the forum as the Guest-of-Honour and addressed the audience. Acting Minister Wong said: “China’s growing weight and influence is shifting the global scales, and the impact can be felt all across our region.”
“For students who are thinking of progressing in your studies, think about how you can spend your time in China, soak up the experience, learn the culture, understand their societal norms and expectations, and make an impact,” he urged.
During her welcome address, CEO of Business China, Ms Low Yen Ling emphasised on the importance of bilingualism and biculturalism, and urged the youths to seize this rare opportunity to learn from the panelists and the participants through sharing and interaction. Ms Low also hoped that the participants would “discover more about the world’s second largest economy and be inspired to capture China’s vast opportunities as the centre of economic gravity moves to the East”.
The FCYF comprised of two segments: the FutureChina Scholars’ Showdown and the Panel Discussion by three outstanding speakers.
One of the highlights of the Forum, the Scholars’ Showdown saw five teams from Jurong Junior College, Singapore Polytechnic, Temasek Polytechnic, Nanyang Technological University & National University of Singapore, and Singapore Management University share their new knowledge gained from the FutureChina Global Forum 2013 organised by Business China on 8 and 9 July. The 15 students presented and debated over their pre-chosen topics based on the Global Forum. The audience also had a chance to scrutinise their knowledge on the topics by posing questions to the five teams.
After a round of exciting and inspirational debate, Temasek Polytechnic finally emerged as the winning team.One of the participants, Ms Mah Yi Xin from NUS, said: “I reckon it is good to bring together students from different JC, Polys and Universities to participate in a presentation and debate like this. We now can get a better sense of what kind of China-related topics other like-minded peers are interested in.”
The judges for the Scholars’ Showdown were the three speakers for the Panel Discussion, where they shared their personal insights and experiences of living and working in China. The speakers were: Dr Lyn Jeffery from the Institute for the Future (IFTF), as well as Dr Tan Lai Yong and Dr Loh Cheng, Singaporean doctors residing in China.
In her keynote presentation themed ‘Creativity with Chinese Characteristics: Super-empowered Small Businesses and the Maker Movement’, Dr Lyn Jeffery discussed the challenges that youths would face in the future and encouraged them to build their confidence in creating things with new resources and opportunities available. Dr Jeffery highlighted that the mastery of Chinese language was a valuable asset to entrepreneurship. She reminded the youths that “in the next 5 years, we will see many Americans being able to speak pretty good Mandarin”.
At the panel discussion moderated by Business China Go East Committee Member, Mr See Yong Sheng, the other two speakers, Dr Loh and Dr Tan also shared their community service and living experiences in China, as well as the treasures and tensions of working and living in Chinese Cities. Whilst encouraging more Singaporean youths to visit China, Dr Loh said: “China brings you down to earth and it is important to work and live alongside with the Chinese so as to listen more and criticise less. ‘Guan Xi’ (关系) is to be cultivated in China to build rapport and network with people.”
Ms Lu Jin Yao from Raffles Institution said: “The sharing session by the three speakers were relevant to all of us in Singapore and it definitely broadened my horizon.”
Amongst the guests who turned up to support the event held at Singapore Management University were: Mr Sam Tan, Board Member of Business China and Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs & Culture, Community and Youth, as well as Mr Chua Thian Poh, Chairman of Business China. Assistant Programme Director of Safra Radio 88.3FM, Ms Heng Kae In, was the emcee of the Forum.