Business China Awards 2015 unveiled in Singapore

An esteemed Chinese civil servant, a prominent Singaporean singer-songwriter and a leading multi-national and multi-business conglomerate were honoured in this year's Business China Awards Wednesday night.

Li Rongrong, vice chairman of China Center for International Economic Exchanges (CCIEE) and founding chairman of the State-Owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC), won the Business China Excellence Award this year.

Li was well-recognised for his contributions towards Singapore-China relations during his tenure as chairman of China's SASAC from 2003 to 2010. He was a strong supporter and initiator of interaction and collaboration between SASAC and the Singapore business community. Under his leadership, SASAC adapted and promoted Singapore's best practices in corporate governance and integrated these practices with China's realities.

The extensive knowledge transfer and frequent exchanges between Singapore business leaders and their counterparts in China enhanced mutual understanding and trust and culminated in a sustainable long-term partnership between Singapore and China.

Singapore's leading multi-national and multi-business conglomerates, Keppel Corporation, won the Business China Enterprise Award. Keppel entered the Chinese market in the early 1980s. Presently, Keppel has operations in offshore and marine, property, infrastructure and logistics across 25 Chinese cities. Keppel also led the Singapore consortiums in two high-level government-to-government projects, namely the China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park and the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City.

The third award, Business China Young Achiever Award goes to famous Singapore singer Tanya Chua.

As the guest-of-honour, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean noted that Singapore-China relations have always been forward-looking, innovative and pace-setting. He highlighted the roles of Business China in further enhancing Singapore-China relations.

"From the economic perspective, Singapore businesses are familiar with China and can serve as a bridge between China and the region. Business China can also help Singaporeans and Singapore businesses gain useful insights and networks in China."

"Since the inaugural Business China Awards, the award recipients have proven that they are more than just leaders in their respective fields; they are also playing active roles in strengthening Singapore-China relations. Apart from establishing and expanding their businesses and careers in China, these exemplary role models are also maintaining effective bilateral cooperation on many levels, thereby fostering deeper understanding and communication between both countries," said Chua Thian Poh, chairman of Business China in his welcome speech.

Following its inaugural launch in 2010, the Business China Awards, presented by Business China and OCBC Bank, is now in its sixth year and aims to honour outstanding businessmen, entrepreneurs, professionals and organisations for their successes and contributions to Singapore-China relations. By recognising these exemplary role models, the awards also aims to promote bilingualism and biculturalism in Singapore.

"The award winners have contributed to the depth and strength of Singapore-China ties, and this is all the more significant as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of both countries' bilateral relations this year. We hope these winners will inspire many other individuals and businesses to continue to building on the existing bilateral cultural and economic relations," said Mr George Lee, head of Global Corporate Banking, OCBC Bank. Endit