[Singapore, 13 November 2013 (Wednesday)] – The Singapore Management University (SMU) held its inaugural China Forum today to foster a deeper understanding of the trends and influences shaping the growth and development of China. The Forum aims to serve as a platform for the business and academic communities to come together to share, discuss and debate ideas and issues about China that are current and relevant.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam graced the occasion as the Guest-of-Honour and delivered the Opening Address. SMU Chairman Mr Ho Kwon Ping, SMU President Professor Arnoud De Meyer, and China’s Ambassador to Singapore His Excellency Duan Jielong were among the dignitaries present at the Forum, which attracted more than 300 business leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, researchers and academics.

Themed Be China Ready, the Forum drew a stellar line-up of scholars and thought leaders who shared their valuable insights on various aspects of China. Professor Justin Lin from Peking University, who was formerly the Senior Vice President and Chief Economist of the World Bank, delivered the Keynote Address. The other speakers included Professor Peng Xizhe from Fudan University; Professor Gan Li from Southwestern University of Finance and Economics; Ms Diana Tsui, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility & Diversity, KPMG China & CEO of KPMG Foundation; and Mr Lim Ming Yan, President and Group CEO of CapitaLand Limited.

SMU President, Professor Arnoud De Meyer, said “This Forum is an integral part of SMU’s China Initiatives which was established in the second quarter of 2012. The SMU China Initiatives aims to raise our profile in China as a research university in the broad field of social sciences. By doing so, we want to contribute to the Singapore-China collaboration in business, government and civic society by nurturing China-ready and bicultural graduates who are able to function effectively in the business and financial environment in China. We do so by providing many more opportunities for exchange and internships.

“The other major undertaking of the SMU China Initiatives is to actively drive and strengthen our collaboration with existing and new partner universities in research and postgraduate education. Our aim is to play a key role in creating and sharing knowledge and thought leadership that will benefit both Singapore and China.”

The topics presented and discussed at the Forum today ranged from factors that have contributed to China’s extraordinary growth, potential challenges and opportunities arising from its demographic trends, household income and consumption, social investment and ageing in China.

“We hope that by working with our academic and corporate partners through the China Forum, research collaboration, exchange programmes, as well as training and development, SMU will be able to develop linkages, expertise and knowledge on China and Asia so that we become a partner of choice for universities, institutions and the business industry,” Professor De Meyer added.

For more information, please contact

Teo Chang Ching (Mr)

Assistant Director, Corporate Communications

Office of Corporate Communications & Marketing

DID: 6828 0451/ 94318353

Fax: 6828 0456

Email: ccteo [at] smu.edu.sg