For Immediate Release on 1 October 2013
Business China was officially launched on 19 November 2007 by our Patron, Singapore’s Founding Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew, and Former Chinese Premier Mr Wen Jiabao. The mission of Business China 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.
Ms Low Yen Ling was appointed Chief Executive Officer on 1 June 2011. After having served in this capacity for more than two years, Ms Low relinquished this position yesterday. She takes on the position of Parliamentary Secretary for Ministry of Social and Family Development today. She is also a Member of Parliament for Choa Chu Kang Group Representation Constituency.
Business China would like to extend our utmost appreciation to Ms Low Yen Ling for her commitment and contributions towards the organisation during her tenure as the Chief Executive Officer. Under her leadership, Business China further actualised our mandate to promote bilingualism and biculturalism in a bid to enhance Singaporeans’ capabilities to tap on the increasing windows of opportunities in China.
In particular, Ms Low spearheaded the launch of the Future China-Advanced Leaders Programme (FC-ALP) in 2012 and led the programme’s two successful runs. The first of its kind, FC-ALP is a business management course jointly organised by Business China and Nanyang Business School to arm top management, high-potential executives and business owners with an in-depth understanding of the Chinese enterprise psyche, business landscape and economic paradigm. Through a comprehensive 3Cs (Curriculum Rigour, Contacts Establishment and Cultural Insights) focus, FC-ALP is the ideal platform to prepare individuals and organisations to be China-savvy and China-ready to enhance their business profiles internationally.
Under Ms Low’s leadership, Business China continued to intensify our efforts to nurture young Singaporeans to develop deeper links with China and to promote a widespread appreciation and acceptance of Chinese language and culture through the Future China Youth Forum. This lively Forum engages Singaporean youths to deepen their understanding of the contemporary China society in a hands-on time-limited competition. Under her guidance, Business China expanded our reach to the teaching profession through the China-Quotient Teachers’ Forum (CQTF), during which the inaugural China-Quotient Educators’ Resource Pack, which aims to impart up-to-date knowledge about China and her rise in becoming one of the world’s largest economies, was launched.
Business China will continue to promote our mandate by engaging companies, working professionals, and students who have an interest in exploring opportunities in the China market. We will create more opportunities for them to build their China competency by establishing relevant networks, stimulating their interests in learning about China’s culture as well as improving their Chinese language proficiency, with the aim of helping them to succeed in China.
Although Ms Low will no longer have an executive role in Business China w.e.f. 1 October, she will serve as a member of Business China’s Board of Directors and remain actively involved in the advancement of Business China’s mission.
Business China wishes to take this opportunity to congratulate Ms Low on her new appointment. We wish her all the best in her future endeavours.
Ms Veronica Xiong, Director (Business Development), will be appointed General Manager of Business China w.e.f 1 Oct 2013. Before joining Business China in June 2011, Ms Veronica Xiong was with EDB for 7 years. During her tenure, she led the China and Asean teams in Contact Singapore to attract ASEAN and Chinese companies to invest in Singapore.
Business China would like to thank our supporters and assure them that we will continue to strengthen our position as the leading bilingual and bicultural channel for closer collaboration with China.
Mr Chua Thian Poh
Chairman
On behalf of Board of Directors, Business China