Reflections By Yang Chong

When I was just a 15 year old kid, I have heard about the initiation of a bilateral exchange programme involving undergraduates from Singapore and China by then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong to then Chinese Vice-President Hu Jintao. It was my dream to be part of the Singapore delegation to boost bilateral relations at the undergraduate level. 9 years later, my dream came true. I am indeed honoured and proud to be one of the ambassadors for NUS and also Singapore in the 7th Sino-Singapore Undergraduate Exchange Programme.

(Tour of the Southern Ridges: A 1st hand experience of how Singapore incorporates economic development with environmental conservation)

The 3 day Singapore leg programme was indeed fun and enriching. First up was the “ice-breaker” day at Sentosa where I first got to interact with a few Chinese delegates and also got to know the other NUS delegates. After that, it was the 2-day NUS programme where we tried to sell Singapore’s strength in ‘sustainable development’ which is currently an ‘in-thing’ in China and also introduced our cultural heritage to the Chinese delegates. Finally, it was the funky farewell dinner which was rather informal and brought the Singapore leg programme to a climax and also an emotional end.

Through the Singapore leg, I have gained a new perspective of the Chinese undergraduates. Born to Chinese-educated parents, having studied in a SAP school and being active in the Singapore’s Chinese Orchestral arena for more than a decade, I am indeed rather familiar with China’s social, economic, demographics etc. But after interacting 1st hand with the Chinese delegates during the Singapore leg, I have sensed that their lives are driven by causes and patriotism. Apart from grades, they are passionate, idealistic, out to change the world for the better and to make a mark for themselves. They are full of energy in pushing causes and promoting projects, ranging from helping disadvantaged families to promoting green energy etc.

On the other hand, I have indeed learnt what differentiates Singaporeans from the Chinese delegates. We do not speak 标准 Mandarin. We speak Mandarin with our Cantonese, Hokkien and all kinds of Teochew accents and phrases. We are also “culturally somewhere in between the Chinese and the West” and are more familiar with both cultures.

(Posing buoyantly at the Henderson Waves: Evidence of the close friendship forged in just 3 days)

Whatever the differences between the Singapore and China delegates are, the Singapore leg programme did gel of us as one. May the friendships forged during be continued decades down the road. May all of our fond memories of this programme be sunk in depth in our heads that it can be one of the milestones of our lives besides commencement, marriage etc. May Sino-Singapore relations not just at the undergraduate level, but at all levels reach greater heights in the years to come….

In the meantime, let us look forward to seeing our China friends in May. CHINA HERE WE COME!