Remarks by CG Ong at Singapore-China YBA Programme Closing Ceremony 王总领事在新加坡–中国青年商务大使闭幕式的致辞

REMARKS BY CONSUL-GENERAL MR ONG SIEW GAY AT THE SINGAPORE INTERNATIONL FOUNDATION (SIF) SINGAPORE-CHINA YOUNG BUSINESS AMBASSADORS PROGRAMME CLOSING CEREMONY, 28 NOVEMBER 2012, AT CENTRAL HOTEL SHANGHAI

1                 It gives me great pleasure to be here to join in the closing ceremony of the 8^th Singapore-China Young Business Ambassadors programme.   There is undeniably a youthful energy in this room as the stars of today are our twelve young business ambassadors, the future leaders of our two countries. 

2                 Singapore-China relations, underpinned by strong trade and investment flows, are deep and multi-faceted.  In 2011, China was Singapore’s third largest trading partner and remains our companies’ top investment destination.  The Singapore-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA) inked in 2008 was yet another key step forward in strengthening bilateral economic ties.  The comprehensive bilateral FTA has certainly helped to create even more opportunities for businesses from both countries to grow their links in each other’s market amidst an increasingly challenging global economic environment.

3                 Bilateral cooperation is not only confined within the economic sphere.  From our first bilateral project in the Suzhou Industrial Park in 1994 to the establishment of the Tianjin Eco-city in 2007, as well as the more recent cooperation projects in various localities like Sichuan, Guangzhou and Jilin, our bilateral relationship has constantly evolved and adapted to the changing interests and developmental needs of each other.  In this regard, while our focus had been on economics, there has been an expansion of cooperation to other areas including culture, human resource development as well as social management.  This not only reflects the high level of trust that both our political leaderships have in each other but more fundamentally, a good testament to the strong and enduring people-to-people relations that we have built and continually strengthened throughout the years.

4                 Indeed, our cultural and linguistic affinity serve us well, aptly reflected in our robust people-to-people exchanges.  Last year, the number of Chinese tourists to Singapore surged 35% from 2010 and accounted for Singapore’s second largest group of foreign visitors.  Likewise, China remains a highly attractive work and travel destination for many Singaporeans.  Shanghai and the greater Yangtze River Delta region, for instance, are home to more than some 10,000 Singaporeans, many of whom are either working professionals in a variety of sectors or students pursuing full-time degrees at top Chinese universities or shorter internship programmes. 

5                 This only looks set to be an upward trend as China’s remarkable growth story continues to unfold.  With rapid urbanisation and China’s economic restructuring to move further up the value chain, new and exciting opportunities abound for our peoples from both sides.  Looking forward, we can only expect even more mutual learning and sharing of experiences between our peoples. 

6                 On this note, I would like to commend the Singapore International Foundation, the Shanghai People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Foreign Experts for your untiring efforts in promoting the friendship and understanding between our peoples.  Through collaboration platforms like the Young Business Ambassadors programme, you play an important role in fostering the people-to-people ties between our two countries, and nurturing the next generation of business leaders who will continue to build bridges between us. 

7                 My heartiest congratulations to our twelve Young Business Ambassadors.  I trust that the exposure has been a valuable experience and I sincerely hope that you will cherish and grow the friendships made. 

8                  Thank you.

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尊敬的上海市人民对外友好协会 常务副会长 汪小澍先生

尊敬的上海市外国专家局 副局长 黄渭茂先生

尊敬的新加坡国际基金会 董事 詹道存教授

        很高兴能够参加第八届新加坡 – 中国青年商务大使的闭幕式。今天 在这里，有十二位青年商务大使。我们大家都能够感觉到满屋的活力。他们将是新中两国的未来。

        新中两国通过多年以来密切的经贸合作，有着深厚且全方位的双边合作关系。在2011年，中国是新加坡第三大贸易合作伙伴，并且是新加坡企业投资最大的目的地。签署于2008年的双边自由贸易协定（FTA）是我们两国之间经济关系的另一个里程碑。在日益复杂的全球经济环境中，这无疑有助于给双方的企业更多合作空间。

        新中双边合作不仅仅局限在经济领域。从1994年成立的苏州工业园区到2007年的天津生态城，乃至最近在四川，广州，吉林等地落实的合作项目，双边关系与时俱进地发展，适应彼此不断变化的发展需要。在这方面，虽然我们一直以来非常关注经济贸易方面的合作，但是我们的合作也扩展到了其他的领域，比如：文化，人力资源发展和社会管理。这不仅体现我们双方领导人彼此间高度的互信，也是我们长久以来不断加强民间交流的成果。

        我们在文化和语言上的相通，也自然地反映在我们日益频繁的民间交流。去年，到新加坡的中国游客相比2010年增长了35%，中国是我们第二大客源地。同样，很多新加坡人向往到中国工作和旅游。在上海和大长江三角洲地区，约有超过1万新加坡人，他们在不同的专业领域工作、在中国顶尖的学府留学或进行交流培训。

        随着中国经济的持续发展，双方加深交流是一个必然趋势。快速的城镇化和中国经济结构的转型会带给两国的人民更多交流合作的机会。展望未来，我们期待两国人民之间能有更多的机会相互学习分享经验。

        借此机会，请允许我对新加坡国际基金会，上海人民对外友好协会以及上海市外国专家局，在促进两国人民之间的友谊与交流做出的不懈努力，表示高度的肯定与赞赏。通过象青年商务大使的合作平台，我们肯定能加强两国人与人之间的互动，并培养下一代商界领袖，继续建立我们之间友谊的桥梁。

        我由衷的祝贺我们十二位青年商务大使。我确信这是一次珍贵的经历，并且真诚地希望您可以珍惜和继续发展这段友谊。

        谢谢。

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(10 December 2012)