Maintaining a Healthy Relationship
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Tuesday 9 August 2011 www.shanghaidaily.com SUPPLEMENT SSINGAPOREINGAPORE B4 Relations between China and Singapore are multi-faceted at business, government and people level. Yao Minji meets the consul general responsible for maintaining close ties between the two countries — in an area which extends beyond Shanghai and into neighboring provinces. Maintaining a healthy relationship ingapore Day is an annual one-day carnival for overseas Singaporeans Singapore to stay connected with the coun- Stry, and it is set in a different city by the numbers around the world each year, often a big city with a sizeable Singaporean community. In April, Singapore Day took place in China for the first time, with plenty of ac- 8,000 tivities and traditional Singaporean cuisines on offer in Shanghai’s Century Park. The Shanghai is home to almost city is home to almost 8,000 Singaporean 8,000 Singaporean people, not people, not including the large number of including the large number of visiting travelers. The number goes beyond visiting travelers. 10,000 when it includes Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui provinces, all covered by the consulate general in Shanghai. Tourism between China and Singapore is US$79b amazingly huge, with more than 1 million The total value of trade in 2010 Chinese tourists visiting Singapore every was US$79 billion, a 25 percent year, and close to 1 million Singaporeans increase from that of 2009. China coming to China on an annual basis. has maintained the second or third- “The absolute number is high, and the largest trading partner for Singa- percentage is even more. We have about pore in the past three to four years. 5 million residents in Singapore, among whom just over 3 million are Singaporeans. This means that every year, one in three Singaporeans make a trip to China,” says 20% Yip Wei Kiat, consul general for Singapore in Shanghai. As of the end of 2010, more “This figure and percentage presents than 3,000 Singaporean invest- a very revealing picture of the interac- ment projects are in Shanghai, tions between the two countries, not only accounting for more than 20 at government and business level, but at percent of total investment from people level.” Singapore to China. The 42-year-old diplomat calls China the place that he feels deepest about since he has spent six-and-a-half years here among his 18-year career. Yip was in Beijing 1 million for three years before taking his post in Shanghai, which he has been in for three- Tourism between China and and-a-half years. Singapore is amazingly huge, “China is a very interesting place, where with more than 1 million Chinese you have a vast country with long history tourists visiting Singapore every and rich culture. If you study further, it is year, and close to 1 million Sin- also very interesting to see the great variety gaporeans coming to China on an annual basis. of different cultures in different parts of the Yip Wei Kiat, consul general for Singapore in Shanghai, calls China the place that he country,” Yip says. feels deepest about among his 18-year career. “I have adjusted quite well to my position in Shanghai, as this international financial billion, 7 percent up from the same period “And in the future, I would also like to past few years, which has been extending center with advanced economy is rather last year. see the investment expanding and extending into many different sections including the similar to Singapore.” As of the end of 2010, more than 3,000 to more areas, with more diversity.” infrastructure development projects. As this year enters the 21st year since Singaporean investment projects are in Considering the diversity among the “I hope that many Chinese companies the establishment of the diplomatic tie Shanghai, accounting for more than 20 different regions in China, Yip suggests can take full advantage of Singapore’s Free between the two countries, Yip sees that percent of total investment from Singapore that Singapore companies who plan to start Trade Agreement that we have established “the cooperation and relations between to China. business here should conduct detailed mar- with most major economies around the Singapore and China have been growing Unlike in other parts of China, Singa- ket research and studies about the different world including the US, India, China, Japan steadily and healthily. We are currently on a pore’s investment in Shanghai focuses more markets in various parts of China in order and Australia. And we are also in positive very comfortable trajectory.” on the services and retail section, which to choose the best location. negotiations with the European Union,” Yip The total value of trade in 2010 was traditionally also includes logistics, consult- “The different regions here offer various says. US$79 billion, a 25 percent increase from ing, financial services, environmental opportunities for different types of Sin- He adds that taking advantage of the that of 2009. Close to US$9 billion was services, among many more. gapore companies. For example, we tend strong network of the FTA can help the completed in Shanghai. China has main- And more than 30 percent are invested in to have more service-related business in Chinese companies in their development tained the second or third-largest trading the nearby Jiangsu Province. Shanghai, while I will suggest to manufac- strategy for going global. partner for Singapore in the past three to “Together, the East China region that turers to take advantage of lower overall As host to many multinational compa- four years. this office covers accounts for more than business costs in other parts of China,” Yip nies, Singapore can also offer opportunities And the most recent statistics show the half of Singapore investment in China, re- explains. for Chinese companies based there to trade value between the two countries from vealing a very vivid picture of the bilateral He has also seen an increasing presence establish networks and cooperation with January to May of this year was US$34 relations,” Yip says. of Chinese companies in Singapore in the these companies. SShanghaihanghai DDailyaily Tuesday 9 August 2011 B5 Club keeps a closer relationship Wang Yanlin s the largest Singapore business commu- nity outside of the Acity-state country, Shanghai Singapore Business As- sociation-Singapore Club Shanghai (SSBA-SCS) plays an active role in fostering closer business ties between Singapore and China. Established in 1988, the SSBA- SCS has developed more than 1,000 members. With a kaleido- scope of events from monthly seminars, business tours to large forums, the association serves as a nurturing conduit for networking Singaporeans, other expatriates and the local communities. On Saturday, the SSBA-SCS hosted a grand event to celebrate today’s Singapore National Day, and Shanghai Daily had an exclusive interview with its club president Darren Wong Chong Nam. Energetic and polished, Darren is an experienced businessman with many years of exposure in Yip Wei Kiat (fifth from left), consul general for Singapore in Shanghai, Darren Wong Chong Nam (third from right), president of Shanghai manufacturing. In the past two Singapore Business Association-Singapore Club Shanghai, and other people from Singaporean communities toast at a weekend event to decades, he has visited many cities celebrate Singapore National Day, which falls on today. — Zhang Suoqing in the Chinese mainland. Two years ago, Darren settled down in Singapore and China have Shanghai as a senior executive in different economic and business Shanghai Daily: Can you a die-casting firm, and served as strengths that can complement each describe a distinctive characteristic active volunteer in the association. other, Wong said. He also elaborat- of Singapore investors? Having elected as the president ed on what benefits and challenges Darren: We are cautious and of SSBA-SCS for a year, Dar- lay head with closer cooperation. kiasu. Before making big deci- ren expects to reach out to more sions, we tend to consider twice or Singaporeans in Shanghai, as there Shanghai Daily: What role more till we are ready for all pos- are more than 2,500 Singapore-in- does SSBA-SCS play in Singapore- sibilities. It is a good merit because vested firms in this metropolis and China business dealings? being conservative can help us roughly 8,000 Singaporeans living Darren: The SSBA-SCS is one avoid making huge mistakes. But here. Also, he hopes to continue of the oldest Singapore business at certain times, it deters us from to work closely with the Singapore communities in China. With a grabbing opportunities in timely Consulate General in Shanghai, the history of 23 years, our associa- manner. International Enterprise Singapore, tion has grown into an influential Singapore Chinese Chamber of group that can connect Singapore Shanghai Daily: What areas Commerce and Industry and sister investors with potential Chinese can be further explored to boost A flea market is set up at a weekend event to celebrate Singapore Singapore communities, such as partners, and help them establish cooperation between Singapore National Day. — Zhang Suoqing Singapore clubs in Suzhou, Wuxi, links with other Singapore firms and China? Guangzhou and Ningbo, as well who came earlier to share business in China, and the country gave a two countries can work together. There are great op- as Singapore Chamber of Com- Darren: resources and experiences. good return with the rising pur- Since Singapore has developed its portunities out there. The industry merce Beijing and its affiliates to For many Singapore investors, chasing power of Chinese people. capability in urban planning, we establish the close link. of MICE (meetings, incentives, Shanghai is where their busi- However, higher production and have signed contracts with Chinese Being neighbors, Singapore conventions and exhibitions), nesses in the Chinese mainland get labor costs have threatened the partners to initiate the construction and China have developed a close finance, property, designing, started.