1. China is “an acquired taste, much of it bitter”. This was how a seasoned British diplomat once described China. Those of us who have had engaged China, would have, at one stage or another, experienced a flavor of what the British diplomat had crystallized in this quote, of his lifelong dealings with this ancient civilization.
2. Bitter or not, nobody can afford to ignore this flavor. For the bulk of human civilization, China is a major force. The marginalization of China at the end of the Qing Dynasty and the decades afterwards was the exception, rather than the rule, in its long history.
3. China is now back on its historic track. In year 2010, it surpassed Japan to be the world’s second-largest economy. Its growing influence on the global stage is only getting stronger and stronger.
4. That’s partly why we are here today at the Commencement Ceremony of the inaugural Future China Advanced Leaders Programme. This programme, jointly conducted by Business China and Nanyang Business School has been successfully implemented and has since gained strong branding as one of the more significant China-related programmes available in Singapore. It enables people who are interested in China or are already in China, to gain a more holistic and in-depth understanding, through an integrated study of its cultural, historical, political, social and economic paradigms.
5. I do not have to repeat the huge potential of China. Suffice to say that Singapore companies must learn how to tap these opportunities. We have done not too badly.
6. Last year, our bilateral trade has exceeded S$100 billion (S$101.4 billion dollars), a year-on-year growth of 6.4%. Despite our size, we are a major investor in China.
7. Besides the Suzhou Industrial Park and the Tianjin Eco-city spearheaded by the Government, we have projects like the Guangzhou Knowledge City, Jilin Food Zone, Sichuan Hi-Tech Innovation Park which were led by Singapore corporations. As China urbanises and promotes internal consumption, the opportunities for Singapore companies to ride on the China wave are tremendous.
8. Naturally, we will also face intense competition, from players bigger and stronger than we. Without a comprehensive understanding of China’s social, economic and business landscapes, coupled with an appreciation of the inner workings and culture, the journey could be bumpy.
9. That is why 24 of you here today enrolled in the Future China Advanced Leaders Programme. I hope you found it to be beneficial and relevant. The 15-day course included a week-long field visit to China, a useful networking engagement opportunity with your China counterparts. You were also exposed to the richness of Chinese culture. You learnt to appreciate The Peony Pavilion 牡丹亭，a masterpiece of the Kun Opera 昆曲 and also experienced 孔庙祭礼仪式” known as the “National Ceremony” in ancient times. The solemn ceremony was held in the Confucian Temple in Qufu to commemorate the great ancient Chinese educator Confucius 孔子. I am certain you have gained a better understanding of the ancient Chinese history and culture as well as China’s recent developments through this experiential journey.
10. Business China has found this collaboration with the Nanyang Business School, a win-win collaboration. We have come together for a common goal, to produce business leaders and senior executives who are equipped with the three Cs – ‘China-ready’, ‘China-savvy’ and ‘China-Connected’.
11. Lastly, I am glad that the 24 participants have also forged new friendships and bonds of camaraderie. To institutionalize this bond, we have set up an Alumni Club to mark the success of this programme. I hereby declare the launch of the Future China Advanced Leaders Alumni Club and wish all participants every success in their foray into China. Please allow me to wrap up in Mandarin.
12. 女士们、先生们。倘若你要在拓展中国的通商之路如鱼得水，掌握中国崛起带来的无限商机，你一定要具备能够有效和中国保持联系的能力，以便将来为加强新加坡和中国之间的友好关系作出贡献。由前内阁资政李光耀先生倡导成立的通商中国，这些年秉持着双语双文化商贸网络通的理念，积极开发不同的项目，增进大家对中国经济、商贸、社会、文化和教育的深广了解。我很高兴参加第一届慧眼中国高级领导研修班的学员，他们各个是勤奋好学之人，都积极地提升自己的优势。
13. 慧眼中国高级领导培训课程旨在为企业培育出“中国通”高层主管。各位学员如今对中国的历史、经济、文化、社会、政治面貌等各方面都稍微有了认识，这大大的提升了你们在中国发展的竞争优势。在全面了解到中国通商的大环境和小细节后，希望你们能继续成为联系新加坡与中国的文化和经济桥梁。
14. 完成这三周的课程只是一个开始，将来要在中国大展宏图，你们一定要继续对学习保有热忱之心，不断强化自己的中国知识和语文能力。在此，我呼吁你们经常参加通商中国主办的活动，因为这些活动就是为协助我国栽培更多双语双文化的中流砥柱而设的。希望大家都鼎力支持通商中国，共同努力造福两国人民。
15. 谢谢！预祝大家有个愉快的夜晚！