Singapore, 15 July 2015 – This afternoon, the Business China Youth Showdown saw 11 teams from nine schools deliberate on the theme of “One Belt One Road: Singapore at the Crossroads” within eight minutes each team.
Hailed from various Integrated Programme Schools, Junior Colleges, Polytechnics and tertiary institution, the youths formed teams of three to present their knowledge on one of the hottest topic in China – One Belt One Road (OBOR) – using PowerPoint presentations and creative self-made videos and skits. Hwa Chong Institution finally emerged as the overall champion of the Business China Youth Showdown.
This bilingual national platform not only provided the opportunity for Singaporean youths to showcase their China knowledge, but also to network with like-minded youths. In addition, the Showdown aims to equip the youths with a deeper understanding of the forces and factors shaping China’s emergence as a global power and more importantly, the relevance of this to Singapore.
Minister of State for Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, and Board Member of Business China, Mr Sam Tan, graced the Youth Showdown this afternoon as the Guest-of-Honour. In his commencement remarks in both English and Mandarin, MOS Sam Tan quoted President Tony Tan, who reaffirmed that bilateral relations between Singapore and China were “broad, deep and multi-faceted”.
MOS Sam Tan also shared his opinion on “One Belt One Road”, mentioning that once the ‘One Belt One Road’ strategy is set in motion, it would set to release opportunities and create new waves of growth in the region. He also shared that we would be better prepared for the future if we could identify these opportunities now.
The judging panel consisted of Dr Zhou Zhao Cheng, Editor of Zaobao.com cum Editor of Crossroads, Lianhe Zaobao and Mr See Yong Sheng, Chief Executive Officer of ITT Global Learning. They were heartened to see that young Singaporeans were aware of the issues facing their generation today and were willing to take ownership and collaborate with one another to explore solutions. This was evident from the enthusiastic participation from youths both on and off the stage at the event.
The top three teams of the Youth Showdown will be awarded complimentary access to the prestigious FutureChina Global Forum held on 20 and 21 July at Shangri-La Hotel Singapore.
More than 250 students, teachers and guests, including a China delegation of youths visiting from Harbin and Qiqihar cities, Heilongjiang province, attended the Youth Showdown organised by Business China.
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For further enquiries, please contact:
Goh Wan Xin (Ms)
Associate (Corporate Communications)
Business China
Tel: 6213 0410
Email: wanxin@businesschina.org.sg
Eunice Ong (Ms)
Manager (Corporate Communications & Go East)
Business China
Tel: 6213 0413
Email: eunice@businesschina.org.sg
About Business China
Launched in November 2007 by Founding Patron and Singapore’s Founding Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Business China’s 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 www.businesschina.org.sg/en.
About Business China Youth Showdown
Business China Youth Showdown was formerly known as FutureChina Youth Showdown, and held in close collaboration with the prestigious FutureChina Global Forum (FCGF). This is a bilingual national platform for Singaporean youths to showcase their China knowledge and network with like-minded youths. Themed “One Belt One Road: Singapore at the Crossroads”, teams are encouraged to research and present issues surrounding this signature endeavor of China’s current leadership.