FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10 JULY 2013
Inaugural FutureChina Youth Forum
— Engaging Singaporean Youths to be Future-Ready, China-Savvy and responsible-socially – Acting Minister for Culture, Youth and Community and Senior Minister of State for Communications and Information Mr Lawrence Wong shared with more than 300 students the importance of bilingualism and biculturalism, and encouraged them to take the initiative to learn more about a rising China, as well as its relevance to Singapore
Singapore – This afternoon, more than 300 students across various Junior Colleges, Polytechnics and Universities came together at Singapore Management University to witness a sharing session by experts and students focusing on a rising China and its relevance to Singapore.
The inaugural FutureChina Youth Forum, a new initiative by Business China, aims to equip our 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 themed “Engaging Singaporean Youths to be Future-Ready, China-Savvy and Responsible-Socially”, as the Guest-of-Honour and addressed the participants in both English and Mandarin. Acting Minister Wong also interacted with the participants and guests after the Forum.
Distinguished speakers for this inaugural forum included 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. They shared their personal insights and experiences of living and working in China. Dr Tan and Dr Loh were recipients of the “Friendship Award” and “Cai Yun Award” respectively, distinctions awarded by the Chinese government to foreigners who have made outstanding contributions to China’s development. Business China also honoured Dr Loh Cheng for promoting Singapore-China relations during his stint in China with the Business China Young Achiever Award 2012.
The three speakers were also the judges for the Scholars’ Showdown, which was another highlight of this forum. During the “Scholars Showdown”, five teams of student participants took turns to showcase their presentations on a pre-chosen topic based on the FutureChina Global Forum organised by Business China on 8 and 9 July. The audience also had a chance to pose questions to the five teams. The winning team is Mr Toh Chun Chuan, Ms Ho Yun Xin Glenn and Ms Yeo Xin-Yi, from Temasek Polytechnic.
During her opening 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 panellists and the participants through sharing and interaction. She mentioned that the success stories of our panellists should serve as a source of inspiration for our young leaders of tomorrow, and that our linguistic and cultural affinity with China should stand us in good stead to ride on its success.
More than 300 students from Junior Colleges, Polytechnics and Universities, as well as young leaders from the Chinese community, eminent leaders from the cultural, academia and political sectors, including Mr Sam Tan, Board Member of Business China and Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs & Culture, Community and Youth; and Mr Chua Thian Poh, Chairman of Business China, also attended the Forum which was conducted in both English and Mandarin.
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For further enquiries, please contact:
Eunice Ong (Ms)
Assistant Manager (Corporate Communications & Go East)
Business China
Tel: 6213 0413
Email: eunice@businesschina.org.sg
About Business China
Business China was launched in November 2007 by our Patron, former Minister Mentor 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 www.businesschina.org.sg/en.
About Go East
Go East is targeted at Singapore students, particularly those in institutes of higher learning. It exposes them to the changing face of Chinese society and helps them gain ground experience working and living in China. The core programmes of the Go East initiative include:
– China-Quotient Forums
– Business China Youth Chapter China Learning Journey
– E3 Workshop
– Student members engagement events
– CLing website (http://cling.omy.sg/)