CEO, Business China
Business China Youth Forum Organising Committee Members,
Distinguished speakers in Singapore and China,
Our Youths from Singapore, ASEAN and China
Distinguished guests,
Introduction
1. Good afternoon.
2. Every year, Business China Youth Forumbrings youths in region together to discuss trends and learn about developments in China with big domestic and global impact.
3. Happy to support Business China to facilitate exchanges between our youths.
a. Business China is an active partner of Singapore’s National Youth Council supporting our youths to understand cultural uniqueness between Singapore and China, in work and society.
b. Last April, I spoke at Business China’s 6th China Studies Perspectives Forum for our youths. We discussed many amazing opportunities for partnership between Singapore and China.
4. Earlier today, I also heard you share your views on the future. In line with the forum’s theme - “New Horizons: Trailblazers Shaping the Pathways of Tomorrow”, please let me suggest how you can all become “Trailblazers” and Explorers of these “New Horizons”.
Emerging New Horizons
5. Many emerging trends will shape our future.
a. First, advances in technology and digital transformation are creating new jobs and changing how we work. China’s rapid economic growth in recent years can be attributed to its commitment to pushing the envelope on key tech like EVs, renewable energy, and e-commerce.
b. Second, growing global instability is fuelling geopolitical turbulence, with US-China tensions, the Ukraine War, and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
c. Third, society and cultural norms are changing. It will impact social cohesion and deepen divides between individuals and groups who hold different views and attitudes.
This list is not exhaustive. Resource constraints, climate change, and many more global challenges will affect what economies and nations do. These trends can also intersect in new ways and make the world more uncertain.
6. With so many challenges and possibilities, we must recognise and seize the opportunities to create the future we desire. HOW?
a. With global tensions and competition heating up, ASEAN and China must strengthen our deep and enduring economic relationship. The ASEAN-China Free Trade Area underpins our strong relationship and provides a framework for us to work together on issues such as digital and green economies.
b. We must also continue to empower more women to participate in traditionally male-dominated sectors such as tech. This will inject fresh vitality in industries and drive further innovation and growth. I’m sure you will have an engaging discussion on this at the plenary sessions later.
I have little doubt our youths will focus on and harness the opportunities that “New Horizons”. Why? Because you have fresh ideas and hope!
7. Please allow me to continue in Mandarin.
Becoming Trailblazers
8. 今天论坛主题是 “新视野：未来之开拓者”。想请各位在座的青年人思考，“新视野”对于你们来说，意味着什么呢？这对于你们所要面对的未来又有什么意义？在这背景下，青年人又该如何塑造自己的道路呢？在此，我想提出三点建议。
9. 首先，要积极了解世态。这包括及时掌握我们区域及更广泛的全球发展动态。同时，要保持开放的心态，让自己接触不同的观点和视角，并浸入在不同的环境中。这能帮助我们更及时地发掘和把握新机遇。
a. 在这方面，为了协助新加坡青年人增强自己的竞争力、并把握区域内现有的机遇，新加坡全国青年理事会推出了一项“亚洲就绪青年计划”(Asia Ready Experience Programme)。AEP通过网络教学方式和国外浸入活动，使本地青年人对于亚细安国家、中国及印度有更深的认识，从而培养出他们的跨文化技能。
10. 其次，与周围环境保持相关性。无论你目前仍然在校求学，或已经开始职业生涯，都应该养成终生学习的习惯，不断学习新技能。身为新加坡生长的青年人，你们可以充分把握和借助新加坡的多元文化环境与优势，从而与其他国家的人民建立友好关系，并了解他们的文化。这样一来，你们才能协助新加坡与亚细安国家、中国、及其他地区的邻国和合作伙伴保持密切联系。
11. 最后，我鼓励各位保持活跃性、参与一些对你有意义的社区活动，做出贡献。在面向新环境和新变化，将志愿服务推广为一种生活方式。通过志愿服务，我们能磨练出在工作职场上所需的技能。更有意义的是，我们能在社区里发挥正面影响。
a. In Singapore, MCCY’s Youth Action Challenge gives you a platform to design and implement ground-up projects on issues they care about. And we provide funding, and mentorship from industry experts and youth leaders.
b. One example is SpedGrow, a social enterprise that endeavours to make independent living safe and possible for the vulnerable population. SpedGrow’s app is able to facilitate individuals with special needs to pick up financial literacy skills through the budgeting tools and gamified learning materials embedded within the app.
c. Another example would be “Calm Collective Asia”, an organisation that aims to break the stigma of mental health in Asia. They provide group peer support through their Calm Circles peer support programme in the community, curate programmes including regular talks and their CalmCon well-being festival and create mental health content through their blog and Calm Conversations podcast.
d. So let’s take a leaf out of the books of these “Trailblazers”. Push boundaries. Pioneer innovative solutions. And you have our full support to get you started.
Conclusion
11. Go out there, stay informed, stay relevant, stay active. Continually scan for opportunities in a more messy world. Find areas and ways you can connect and contribute and create a future that you want to see.
12. Thank you everyone.