'Singapore's high standing in China with both the government officials and businessmen will help you get started. But you must not let down the Singapore's reputation for reliability and integrity,' Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew said at the 1st anniversary dinner of networking group Business China at Parliament House.
SINGAPOREANS must press on with efforts to equip themselves with skills to do business in China and capitalise on the Republic's strong reputation there, said Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew on Wednesday night.
'Singapore's high standing in China with both the government officials and businessmen will help you get started. But you must not let down the Singapore's reputation for reliability and integrity,' he said at the 1st anniversary dinner of networking group Business China at Parliament House.
RazorTV
Click here to watch MM's speech in English at the Business China's dinner.
Click here to watch MM's speech in Mandarin at the Business China's dinner.
Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew says China's economy may be growing at a slower pace now but it can resume its rapid growth of 10 to 12 per cent when the world economy recovers.
Business China is a club started by the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry last November for people keen on China to network and discuss issues in Mandarin. Its target members include businessmen, professionals, young entrepreneurs and students.
MM Lee, who is also Business China's patron, said: 'Business China can help those who want to explore business in China by improving their Mandarin and their knowledge of social and cultural conditions of present-day China.
'With the recent signing of the China-Singapore Free Trade Agreement, there will be many opportunities for Singapore companies in China's fast-growing markets.
'We should not miss the many opportunities to expand our businesses in China.'
MM Lee noted that although China's economy is growing at a slower pace now, it can resume its rapid growth of 10 to 12 per cent when the world economy recovers.
He said Business China can help those who want to explore business in China by improving their Mandarin and knowledge of social and cultural conditions of present-day China.
This can be through training talks by government and business leaders, networking sessions and an e-learning portal with interactive learning resources and reference materials.
He said that Singaporeans can enjoy a head start there, as its bilingual education policy has equipped them with a good foundation in their mother-tongues.
MM Lee added: 'If they do not use the language regularly, they will lose fluency but the foundation in their early school years can revive it quickly and widen their vocabulary.
