Speech at Official Launch of The Engaging China Seminar 2010

Mr Gan Kim Yong, Minister for Manpower, Pioneer Junior College

Mrs. Tan-Kek Lee Yong

Principal of Pioneer Junior College

Professor Phua Kok Khoo

Chairman of the Pioneer Junior College Advisory Committee

and Chairman of World Scientific Publishing Singapore,

Ladies and Gentlemen

1.      In 2009, the world plunged into a global recession.  Many countries’ economies were badly affected.  It was estimated the world economy contracted by 2.1%[1] on average.  Singapore was not spared, with our economy contracting by 1.3% in 2009.  However, China was the odd one out with its economy actually expanding by 8.7%. In recent months, the United States and other western economies had been putting pressure on China to revalue its currency, the renminbi. This is because if China keeps the renminbi weak compared to other countries, its exports will remain cheaper and it will affect the competitiveness of the western countries and their recovery from the recession.

2.      These are indications of China’s impact on the global economy.  Indeed, China’s increasingly prominent role on the world stage is not just in economics, but also in politics and security. This has generated widespread international interest in China, to better understand its current and future developments. The fact that all of us are here today for the Engaging China Seminar, organized by, Pioneer JC, is further proof of the growing interest in China. I would like to congratulate Pioneer Junior College for putting together an exciting seminar programme today, which is appropriately themed “Understanding China”.

Reasons for China’s Success

3.      Why has China been so successful?  Different people have different theories.  Let me share with you my take.  I believe three key factors are most crucial:

a)      Strong leadership: Chinese leaders have a clear vision of what the country aims to achieve and the ability to mobilize the nation to achieve it.  They are highly intelligent, well-educated, especially the younger generation of leaders and skillful in governing the huge country. Leadership succession plans are also in place to ensure continuity.  

b)      Prudent policies: The former Chinese ambassador to Singapore, Madam Zhang Xiaokang, had highlighted three main factors for China’s phenomenal success: boldness in pushing through reform policies, brave in opening up but cautious in implementing policy changes, and doing it one step at a time.  During the last recession, we saw how China stimulated its domestic economy, created jobs, helped workers cope with the crisis, and maintained growth.

c)      Resilient people: Chinese workers are hardworking, highly motivated by the prospects of a better life.  They learn fast, adapt quickly, and are always keen to do more.  The quality of the workforce has also moved up over time with knowledge and skilled workers. This has allowed the Chinese enterprises to compete in the world market and sustain their growth in a global recession.       

4.      Despite China’s progress, it remains eager to learn from the experience of other countries. We share with them our experiences in managing urban cities: how we manage our limited resources, how we upskill our workforce, how we respond to crisis, and how we overcome our limitations and create a future for our country.  We too can learn from them, understand their people better, their economy, their culture, and create more opportunities for us.  This year we celebrate the 20^th anniversary of bilateral relationship with China and we look towards further cooperation in the future.

Sustaining the Engagement with China

5.      However, to sustain our continued engagement with China, we need to nurture a group of young Singaporeans who are able to engage China and build on the good bilateral ties between our two countries. Our schools can play an important role in this regard.   Through our bilingual education policy, we hope to groom many Singaporeans with bilingual proficiency. Today, 56%[2] of Singapore residents are literate in more than one language. This has proven to be an edge in engaging China and the region. Besides speaking the language, it is essential to also have a good understanding of the cultural and social aspects of the country.

6.      Pioneer JC saw the critical need in preparing students to engage the Asia-Pacific region and beyond in this age of globalization. Besides organising learning journeys to China for its teachers and students, the college has a number of immersion and collaborative programmes with partner institutions in China. Most notable is the JC’s Memorandum of Understanding with the Fudan University, concluded in 2008, to allow Pioneer JC’s students direct admission into Fudan. Through this partnership, an alumni student of Pioneer JC, Miss Woon Yin Lin, became the first Singaporean to read Law in Chinese at Fudan University, and is now completing her first year of study.

7.      Being a resource centre for learning about China, Pioneer JC has also developed the Middle Kingdom Race, the first educational board game on China, produced in Singapore by a Singapore school.  Published by World Scientific, this game can be used as a teaching tool to help our students understand China better. The college hopes that this joint project with World Scientific Publishing would add value to the learning of China in Singapore schools.  

Conclusion

8.      Finally, I would like to congratulate Pioneer JC for its successes in the teaching of the China Studies subject. Besides being the largest centre offering China Studies in English, Pioneer JC has achieved excellence for the teaching and learning of this subject. The college achieved top value-added in academic performance for H2 China Studies for the 2009 GCE ‘A’ Level Examination.

9.      I wish all of you a fruitful seminar today, and especially for the students who are here, may what you learn today mark the beginning of an exciting journey of discovery about China. Thank you.