The 4^th SMU China Forum themed “Navigating the Chinese Economy through Deep Waters: Innovation and Sustainable Growth in a Turbulent World” was held yesterday. It gathered prominent academia, senior government officials and business leaders to discuss international perspectives on topics such as China’s new developments, the opportunities and challenges brought by the One Belt One Road strategy and vision, China’s economic development and regional responses, and the plans and visions of the Chongqing Connectivity Initiative (CCI) as the third Government-to-Government Project. Among the guests were Mr Sun Xiyong, Deputy Director-General, China-Singapore (Chongqing) Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity and Mdm Lin Dajian, Former Director-General, National Development and Reform Commission of China.

Prof Arnoud De Meyer, SMU President said in his welcome remarks that 2016 is a year of reform, openness and international cooperation, and the combination of these three areas have been instrumental in China’s remarkable economic growth. SMU has been organising multiple large China forums in both China and Singapore to strengthen engagements in China with the Chinese academia and industry. SMU aims to contribute to the Singapore-China bilateral cooperation, by nurturing China-ready and bi-cultural graduates, and engaging in top-notch China-related research projects.

In an interview with Prof James Tang, Special Advisor (Greater China) to SMU President and Dean, SMU School of Social Sciences, he said that Singapore will benefit greatly with several opportunities from the One Belt One Road strategy, being one of the countries on the proposed route. He added that the CCI demonstrates tremendous potential for collaboration and new opportunities. He opined that Singapore should keenly collaborate in the area of innovation and new technologies development, explaining that agility has been instrument in Singapore’s long road of success, and responsive adaptation to China’s economic will present even more mutual cooperation and development potential.

SMU has successfully held three other SMU China Forums.