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PM: S'pore Chinese are different








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Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong speaking at the 11th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention at Suntec City Convention Centre on October 6, 2011.
my paper
Friday, Oct 07, 2011
NEW immigrants or foreign workers who are ethnic Chinese but new to Singapore take a while to adjust to the norms of the Chinese here, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said yesterday.

This is because Singaporean Chinese, after decades of nation-building and living in a multicultural society, see themselves as Singaporeans first, he said.

He was speaking to 4,000 delegates at the opening of the 11th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention at Suntec Convention Centre.

“Singaporean Chinese have become quite different from Chinese from China or other countries,” he said.

Still, he urged Chinese entrepreneurs to enhance their links with one another, regardless of where they come from, and to adapt to local contexts.

Despite a global environment beset with economic uncertainty, steady growth in Asean countries and new technologies are creating opportunities, he observed.

He added that entrepreneurs know that the best opportunities are found in the most difficult situations.

He stressed that Singapore will seek to stand out as a “key node” in the global marketplace, where entrepreneurs and companies can take advantage of the country’s cultural diversity, world-class business infrastructure and connections.

“We aim to make Singapore a useful partner to Chinese entrepreneurs all around the world and succeed together with all of you,” he said.

At the same time, Chinese entrepreneurs can benefit from the cultural ties and values that they share, which creates a global network that can serve as a “strategic resource”, Mr Lee noted.

However, he urged entrepreneurs not to rely solely on guanxi, or “connections”.

Instead, they should upgrade themselves, raise their game and continue to add value.

“As China opens up more to the world, and as more Chinese travel and operate overseas, they will have a wider choice of partners and networks to work with,” he said.

Mr Lee suggested that they should strive to build modern and professional businesses, as relying on family-owned enterprises makes it difficult to scale a business.

“Succession is often an issue, beyond the founding generation,” he said. “It (a family business) also makes it hard to compete against global businesses that hire and promote the best talent from all over the world, regardless of family ties.”

Chinese entrepreneurs can also strengthen links with local communities, he said.

“Successful entrepreneurs and businesses which help others through philanthropy or community work will enhance their standing with their own communities, and help gain goodwill that is critical for the long term.”

myp@sph.com.sg