Singapore, 1 October 2016 – With effect from 1 October 2016, Member of Parliament, Executive Advisor, OUE Limited, Mr Lee Yi Shyan will be appointed the new Chairman of Business China. Mr Lee takes over from Mr Chua Thian Poh, Chairman & CEO, Ho Bee Land Ltd. Mr Chua is the Founding Chairman of Business China and has served for three terms, totalling nine years. Member of Parliament, Ms Sun Xueling remains as CEO of Business China.
Set up in November 2007, Business China is a non-profit organisation that aims to nurture a core of bilingual and bicultural Singaporeans, who can play a role economically and culturally linking China and the world. Since its inception, Business China has organised more than 300 events, benefiting close to 80,000 participants.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Patron of Business China, in announcing Business China’s new Board, said that, “China is the second largest economy in the world. It is also our largest trading partner and the top destination for our outbound foreign direct investments. As China develops, it will be one of our biggest and fastest growing markets for goods and services. To be effective in China, we need a pool of Singaporeans who are not just bilingual but effectively bi-cultural: students, professionals and entrepreneurs who understand how the Chinese society operates, for win-win collaborations.”
On Business China’s role, PM Lee said, “I hope it will continue to champion biculturalism in Singapore, taking into account the changes within Singapore and in the region, and a far more sophisticated and advanced China today.”
PM Lee thanked founding Chairman Mr Chua Thian Poh for his outstanding leadership of Business China. “Thian Poh has set Business China on a firm footing, starting from scratch. He has established an organisation that is well-recognised and respected in its areas of work. Business China’s achievements today will not have been possible without Thian Poh’s hands-on involvement, astute judgement and total commitment.”
PM Lee would also like to thank the outgoing advisors and board members: Mr Wong Kan Seng (advisor), Mr Khaw Boon Wan (advisor), Mr Lim Swee Say (advisor), Mr Sam Tan, Ms Low Yen Ling, Mr Lim Chee Onn, Mr Alan Chan, Mr Hee Theng Fong; and past members who had stepped down in 2013: Mr Ch’ng Jit Koon, Mr Patrick Lee and Prof Su Guaning. “All of them have been instrumental in establishing Business China as the leading platform for understanding and engaging with China,” said PM Lee.
As a China veteran well-versed with diverse aspects of China’s development, Mr Lee Yi Shyan has been serving on the Business China Board since its inception in 2007. On Mr Lee Yi Shyan’s new appointment, PM Lee said, “I am happy that Mr Lee Yi Shyan has agreed to serve as the next Chairman of Business China. With his many years of experience working with our Chinese community, and his two decades of engaging businesses and people in China, Yi Shyan, together with the new Board members, is well placed to lead Business China to the next level.”
Mr Lee Yi Shyan was formerly Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Trade & Industry and National Development. Prior to entering politics in 2006, Mr Lee had held various leadership positions in Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), Economic Development Board (EDB), SPRING Singapore, and International Enterprise (IE) Singapore. Having journeyed with Business China since 2007, Mr Lee is confident that the organisation will continue to evolve and serve the needs of its supporters, members and stakeholders. “I am honoured to be offered this opportunity to continue to serve in Business China. Thian Poh has left big shoes for us to fill. With the strong support, guidance from the Advisors and Board members, we will strive to build on the foundation of Business China to greater heights.”
Mr Chua Thian Poh, in sharing the genesis of Business China, said that, “Being bilingual and bicultural is vital to Singaporeans being able to connect with some of the largest economies in the world. When Mr Lee Kuan Yew founded Business China, he was already in his eighties. His relentless, indefatigable and determined spirit in ensuring the future success of Singapore as a thriving, globally connected city left a deep impression in me. I am happy to have had the opportunity to lead Business China in playing an active role in co-creating a viable and vibrant future for Singapore. The new Board lead by Yi Shyan and guided by Singapore’s next generation leaders will bring fresh ideas and new push for Business China’s future endeavours. They have my best support and wishes.”
Under the new leadership, Business China will continue to play a key role in spearheading initiatives to promote bilingualism and biculturalism, and to grow Singapore’s prominence as the nexus connecting the region and the world.
For full list of the new Board, please refer to Annex 1.
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For media enquiries, please contact:
Eunice Ong (Ms)
Manager (Corporate Communications)
Business China
DID: (65) 6213 0413
Email: eunice@businesschina.org.sg