FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
3 AUGUST 2013
6th China Studies Seminar
– China’s Leadership: Legacy and Aspirations
Some 500 Singapore pre-university students and two teams from each of the two invited China institutions, Beijing Zhongguancun High School and Fushun No.2 Senior High School, came together at Yishun Junior College this morning to present, debate, and explore selected issues related to China.
Jointly organised by Yishun Junior College and Business China, the theme for the 6th China Studies Seminar was ‘China’s Leadership: Legacy and Aspirations’. This seminar aimed to provide opportunities for students to explore and challenge preconceived notions about China, thus enabling them to gain a more informed understanding of the complexities the country faces.
Over the years, the China Studies Seminar had developed to become an intellectually stimulating and lively event, a key event well attended by participants from various junior colleges and institutions with integrated programmes. The strong attendance at the seminar and the themes covered in the six years reflected the growing enthusiasm and engagement with issues concerning China.
This year, we were honoured to have Mr Sam Tan Chin Siong, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Culture, Community and Youth; and Board Member of Business Chinagrace the occasion as our Guest-of-Honour. In addition, six experts in this area were invited to appraise the students’ on-site presentation as well as critique the essay entries. They were Mr Lye Liang Fook, Assistant-Director/Research Fellow of the East Asian Institute; Dr Sarah Tong Yueting and Dr Zhao Hong, Senior Research Fellows from the East Asian Institute; Mr Zhang Hongzhou, Associate Research Fellow from the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies; Dr Zhang Zhibin from the Nanyang Technological University; and Dr Zhou Zhao Cheng from Lianhe Zaobao.The winning teams were determined by both the standard of the written assignment and the oral presentation.
The two winning teams that emerged from the seven Distinction Award winners this year are: (English category) Hwa Chong Institution which presented on “The Evolution of Sino-US Relations to Suit China’s Needs – How should Xi Jinping Aspire to Continue That?”; and (Chinese category) Hwa Chong Institution which presented on the Chinese thesis of “从’兴教寺申遗风波’看当今中国民主决策与科学决策实践的困境”.
The top two presenters from each of the Chinese and English categories’ Distinction Award will be embarking on a fully sponsored immersion trip to China with the Business China Youth Chapter at the end of this year.
– The End –
For further enquiries, please contact:
Mr Lim Kah Kiat
China Studies Teacher
Yishun Junior College
Email: lim_kah_kiat@moe.edu.sg
Mobile: 91397408
Miss Tan Seow Hong
Head of Department /Arts
Yishun Junior College
Email: tan_seow_hong@moe.edu.sg
Tel: 62579873
Ms Eunice Ong
Assistant Manager (Corporate Communications & Go East)
Business China
Email: eunice@businesschina.org.sg
Tel: 6213 0413
About Yishun Junior College
Established in 1986, Yishun Junior College’s vision is to be ‘The Choice College of Leaders with Passion and Integrity’. Its mission is ‘to nurture righteous leaders, responsible global citizens, who pursue excellence in all endeavours’. We envisage our students to be significantly involved in the making of tomorrow’s Singapore and contribute confidently to this 21st century’s ever-changing world.
For more information, please visit www.yishunjc.moe.edu.sg.
About Business China
Business China was launched in November 2007 by Singapore’s Founding Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew and former Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. We are a platform integrating language, economic and cultural elements. Our mission is 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.
For more information, please visit https://businesschina.org.sg/en.php/.
About China Studies Seminar
Inaugurated in 2008, the China Studies Seminar is an annual event organised by Yishun Junior College. The objective of this seminar is to engage students in issues of significance in contemporary China so as to cultivate a pool of impassioned researchers with a deep understanding of the country. The theme of the first year concerned the rise of China and cross-straits relations. This was followed by a shift of emphasis to student-initiated research topics which resulted in increased participation from various schools in 2009. And in 2010, the scope of the seminar broadened with the inclusion of essay writing and presentation components in English. We were also honoured to have the great Chinese academia, Professor Wang Gungwu, graced as the guest of honour that year. The year 2011 was a pivotal moment as it marked our first collaboration with Business China. In 2012, we were privileged to have Mr Chua Thian Poh, JP, BBM, Chairman/Business China and Chairman/SFCCA as our guest of honour This year’s 6th seminar is also the third year of our collaboration with Business China.