An extract of a speech MM LKY gave during the
inauguration of 'Business
China' will provide the pulse of a changing society in
China:
Mr Lee said Singapore's experience has been useful when China
decided to open up trade and investment to the West.
But it is Singapore that will
have to learn from the Chinese in 30 to 40 years' time, as it
shapes up to be a major economic world player.
Mr Lee said: "China is in the midst of dramatic
change. Every visit I make to China and I made 27
visits in the past 30 odd years I see different people...
Their thinking, aspirations, the
determination at which they are acquiring new knowledge, leave me
no doubt that this is a society on the move, and we
should position ourselves to connect with China."
He added that Singapore will also adjust programmes in schools to
produce 1,000 students each year, who are effectively bilingual and
bi-cultural.
The minister mentor said Singaporeans need three capabilities to do
business in China.
These three points are fluency in the Chinese language, knowledge
of China's traditional culture and an understanding of the
socio-political, economic and lifestyle changes of a
society in transition from an agricultural economy to an
industrial one.
Premier Wen, who spoke at the National University of Singapore,
said that China will continue on its reform and open up its
economy. It will also play its part in tackling climate
change.
He added that Business China is a meaningful platform. "Young
Singaporeans must be like the older generations and continue to
uphold and promote traditions; open up and keep abreast of the
world's latest innovations," said the Chinese premier.
Mr Wen also answered wide-ranging questions from students and
participants on the housing and stock market situation in
China.
Yes, China is on the move - and in
the familiar traditional manner of self-criticism, the leadership
has the wisdom to look inward at their present organisational
structure, their system, their methods - to find the strengths and
weaknesses, and chart into new territories.
Can Singapore afford to wait 30 to 40 years time to learn from
China ?
Is LKY contradicting himself here, when he is saying that China is
already progressing in the fast lane, in a hurry to ''transform from an agricultural base to an
industrial one'' ?
At present, China has a satellite surveying the moon, that will
dovetail into the plan of landing a Chinese onto the surface of the moon in 15
years.
Can Singapore hope to match the new China, if we continue with our
old ways, and refused to acknowledge that the sum total
intelligence of the Singaporean citizens far outweigh that of a
political elitist cult to lead Singapore into the future ?
Can Singapore hope to catch up if the leadership will not respond
to constructive criticism, nor even look at their own failings and
weaknesses, but will only loudly depend on its past successes,
staking its reputation on past laurels achieved ?
