Honouring Outstanding Individuals and Enterprise
– In recognition of their contributions towards strengthening Singapore-China ties
SINGAPORE, 27 November 2013 – An esteemed Chinese politician, a prominent Singaporean entrepreneur, and a leading newspaper in Singapore were honoured in this year’s Business China Awards, organised by Business China and jointly presented by OCBC Bank.
Following its inaugural launch in 2010, the Business China Awards is now in its fourth year and aims to honour outstanding businessmen, entrepreneurs, professionals and organisations for their successes and contributions to Singapore-China relations. In honouring these exemplary role models, the Awards also aims to promote bilingualism and biculturalism in Singapore.
The Business China Awards Gala Dinner took place at Resorts World Sentosa on 27 November with Guest-of-Honour Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong presenting the Awards.
Business China announced the appointment of Prime Minister Lee as the new Patron of Business China. He succeeded Singapore’s Founding Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew, who was presented the “Business China Lifetime Achievement Award” in September 2013 for his extraordinary contributions to the establishment and strengthening of Singapore-China bilateral ties.
The appointment of Mr Lee Hsien Loong as the Patron of Business China marks the organisation’s next phase of development. Jointly launched by Mr Lee Kuan Yew and former Chinese Premier Mr Wen Jiabao in November 2007, Business China strives to raise the bilingual and bi-cultural quotient of Singaporeans as well as the global connectivity of Singapore.
The recipients of the Business China Awards 2013 are:
Business China Excellence Award: Liang Baohua
Former Party Secretary of the Jiangsu Provincial Committee, Mr Liang Baohua, is best known for his role as China’s key representative in spearheading the development of the China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park (CSSIP). With his extraordinary vision, commitment and determination, Mr Liang led the China team in partnering with the Singapore team to bring about the success of CSSIP, especially during his time as the Party Secretary of the Suzhou City Committee from 1998 to 2000. The project, while often cited as a model industrial park, is most symbolic in pioneering and defining the close relations between Singapore and China. Mr Liang was also the inaugural co-Chairman of the Singapore-Jiangsu Cooperation Council from 2007 to 2010, thereby contributing significantly to collaborative efforts between Jiangsu province and Singapore.
Business China Enterprise Award: Lianhe Zaobao
With a history of 90 years, Lianhe Zaobao is Singapore Press Holdings’ flagship Chinese newspaper with a readership estimated at 750,000. The website zaobao.com has grown to command monthly visitorship of more than 10 million and daily page views exceeding 4 million. In China, it is regarded as one of the most professional media sources, trusted by top policy makers and leading business executives. Lianhe Zaobao contributed significantly towards the strengthening of bilateral ties between Singapore and China by providing a platform for bilateral exchange and knowledge sharing.
Business China Young Achiever Award: Charles Wong
As the Chief Executive Officer and one of the founders of CHARLES & KEITH Group, Mr Charles Wong demonstrated foresight in seizing opportunities to transform a humble local shoe retailer into an international brand. Mr Wong showed his long-term commitment to the unique China market by building a dedicated base in Shanghai. He successfully raised the presence and profile of Singaporean brands in China, with 63 outlets across various cities. His strong commitment towards talent development in China and his charitable contributions to needy communities in China are laudable efforts in fostering Singapore-China relations.
The Judging Panel, comprising distinguished business leaders, respected academia and media magnates, went through a rigorous process to select the final three recipients.
Commenting on the judging process, Mr Lim Chee Onn, Chairman of Business China Awards Judging Panel, shared: “This year, we received commendable nominations from both Singapore and Greater China with the final recipients only determined after a robust judging process. The Awards recipients were selected for their exceptional contributions to Singapore-China relations. For the first time ever, we are honouring a recipient from China to be conferred this prestigious Award. By recognising these successful individuals, we hope to inspire more Singaporeans to leverage on their bilingual and bicultural heritage.” Mr Lim is the Senior International Advisor of Singbridge International and Board Director of Business China.
In his welcome speech, Mr Chua Thian Poh, Chairman of Business China, said: “The annual Business China Awards aims to honour outstanding individuals and organisations for their contributions to Singapore-China relations. Not only do these exemplary role models excel in their respective fields, they also play a significant role in strengthening Singapore-China relations.” Mr Chua also announced the appointment of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong as the new Patron of Business China and cited PM Lee’s vast experience in fostering Singapore-China relations, “Leading by example, PM Lee has made 13 official visits to China since his appointment as Deputy Prime Minister in 1990. He also recently visited the Xinjiang autonomous region in order to further deepen his understanding of China.”
On a similar note, Mr Chua thanked Singapore’s Founding Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Business China’s Founding Patron, for his tremendous contributions. “Besides gracing our key Business China events, Mr Lee also shared his invaluable insights and astute observations of China and the world, based on his political career of over 60 years.” Mr Chua added that Business China will continue to strive towards becoming the leading bilingual and bicultural platform for closer collaboration with China.
OCBC Bank is the Joint Presenter for the Business China Awards. Mr George Lee, Head of Global Corporate Banking, OCBC Bank, said: “We are delighted to return as the Joint Presenter of the Business China Awards for the fourth year running. As in past years, this year’s winners are exemplary role models who have contributed to stronger Singapore-China relations. Their successful engagements in China have helped to promote the Singapore brand and resulted in the broadening of exchanges in the areas of trade, education, tourism and environmental services between the two countries. We hope their achievements will inspire others to build upon their success and take the Singapore-China relations to the next level. With our extensive network and knowledge of the China market, we look forward to supporting both homegrown and Chinese businesses who want to leverage the synergies between the two countries to grow their regional presence.”
The celebration provided an exclusive opportunity for more than 600 members, partners and stakeholders of Business China, including distinguished business leaders, senior executives and eminent community leaders from Singapore and China, to interact and establish invaluable networks.
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For further enquiries, you may contact:
Deng Shiying (Ms)
Associate (Corporate Communications)
Business China
Tel: 6213 0412
Email: shiying@businesschina.org.sg
About Business China
Business China was launched in November 2007 by Singapore’s Founding Prime Minister 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 bi-cultural 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 www.businesschina.org.sg/en.
About OCBC Bank
OCBC Bank is the longest established Singapore bank, formed in 1932 from the merger of three local banks, the oldest of which was founded in 1912. It is now the second largest financial services group in Southeast Asia by assets and one of the world’s most highly-rated banks, with an Aa1 rating from Moody’s. It was ranked by Bloomberg Markets as the world’s strongest bank in 2011 and 2012.
OCBC Bank and its subsidiaries offer a broad array of specialist financial and wealth management services, ranging from consumer, corporate, investment, private and transaction banking to treasury, insurance, asset management and stockbroking services.
OCBC Bank’s key markets are Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Greater China. It has a network of over 450 branches and representative offices in 15 countries and territories, including more than 330 branches and offices in Indonesia that are operated by its subsidiary, Bank OCBC NISP.
OCBC Bank’s insurance subsidiary, Great Eastern Holdings, is the largest insurance group in Singapore and Malaysia by assets. Its asset management subsidiary, Lion Global Investors, is one of the largest private sector asset management companies in Southeast Asia. Private banking services are provided by subsidiary Bank of Singapore, which continued to gain industry recognition in 2011 including being voted “Outstanding Private Bank in Asia Pacific” in 2013 by Private Banker International.
For more information, please visit www.ocbc.com.