From October 15 to 19, Liu Yuanchun, President of Shanghai University of Finance and Economics (SUFE), led a delegation to Singapore, visiting Singapore's top think tanks and international organizations to promote international exchanges and cooperation of SUFE think tanks; visiting Singaporean universities and further deepen the partnership between SUFE and partner universities, attending the “2024 Future China Global Forum” and speak as the guest speaker, visiting the Chinese Ambassador in Singapore, and greeting the representatives of SUFE alumni. Ding Xiaoqin, Vice Dean of School of Marxism (presiding), Vice Dean of Chinese Modernization Institute, and Ding Dong, Deputy Director of International Office (presiding), accompanied the visit.
Visit think tanks and international organizations to establish cooperation
On October 16, the delegation visited the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO). Liu Yuanchun andLi Kouqing, Director of AMRO, signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), in which both sides committed to cooperate in knowledge sharing and capacity building to contribute to macroeconomic and financial resilience and stability in the ASEAN+3 region. AMRO is a regional international organization comprising 10 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as well as China, Japan, and is mandated to carry out regional macroeconomic surveillance and to provide members with technical assistance to its members. In addition, AMRO also serves as a regional knowledge center, providing intellectual support for financial cooperation in the ASEAN+3 region. Liu Yuanchun said that the establishment of the partnership with AMRO is an important step in establishing knowledge-driven cooperation between SUFE as well as think tanks and international organizations, and hoped that both sides will make full use of their respective strengths and experiences in research in the future, play a win-win role in resourcefulness and thought-leadership, and work together to address regional challenges and create a meaningful transnational impact.
On October 17, the delegation visited the East Asian Institute (EAI) of the National University of Singapore (NUS) and had a meeting with Director Alfred Schipke, Deputy Director and Senior Research Fellow Chen Gang, and Senior Research Fellow Tong Yueting. Founded in April 1997, EAI is a research institute under the National University of Singapore (NUS), and has developed into Asia's premier think tank for the study of East Asia, especially the development of contemporary China. Liu Yuanchun and Ding Xiaoqin introduced the development status of SUFE and the Chinese Modernization Institute to each other respectively, and the two sides discussed the current development model of China, China's relationship with the outside world, China's international communication and other issues, and reached an agreement on the cooperation between the Institute of East Asian Studies and Chinese Modernization Institute in the form of mutual visits and the holding of thematic symposiums.
The delegation also met with Lee Yi Hsien, Chairman of Business China, Ho Chi Hin, President of Business China, and other representatives, and exchanged views on a series of initiatives carried out by SUFE in support of the national strategy and local development, and internships for students of SUFE in Singapore. In November 2007, Lee Kuan Yew, former Prime Minister of Singapore, and Wen Jiabao, then Premier of the State Council of China, jointly launched the “Doing Business in China” programme at the National University of Singapore (NUS), with the aim of enhancing Singapore's understanding of China, and to develop the skills of the younger generation of both countries in recognizing each other's cultures.
Visit universities to deepen and expand cooperation
On October 17, the delegation visited Singapore Management University (SMU) and had a meeting with Teo Wei Yang, Vice President , and Zhu Fei Da, Associate Dean of School of Computing and Information Systems. Both sides reviewed the achievements made in the field of talent cultivation, such as student exchange program, summer camp program and master's degree double-degree program, and expressed the necessity of further expanding the partnership from educational cooperation to scientific research cooperation. Liu Yuanchun introduced a series of SUFE's initiatives in the fields of digital and artificial intelligence and emerging finance, while Teo Wei Yang and Zhu Feida introduced the three important strategic directions of SMU, digital transformation, sustainability, and Asian development, as well as the latest development and achievements of SMU's computer science disciplines respectively. The two sides expressed would rely on the construction of the joint research institute to carry out scientific research cooperation on current cutting-edge issues, so as to enhance the influence of the two universities in Asia. Authorized by Xiao Shengsheng, Deputy Director of the Department of Digital Economy of SUFE, Ding Dong signed the agreement with Zhu Feida on the MITB (Master of IT in Business) master's degree articulation cooperation program agreement. In the 2025 QS Global Master's Program Ranking, Singapore Management University's MITB program is ranked No. 2 in Asia and No. 24 in the world.
On October 17, the delegation met with representatives of Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), including Tan Meng Lay,Vice President, Ding Ding, Dean of School of Business, and Hong Yu-Chen Associate Dean of the Graduate School, and exchanged views on the cooperation of undergraduate exchange programs and short-term practice programs for master's students. As one of the six statutory public universities under the Singapore Ministry of Education (MOE), SUSS is the forefront of pioneering applied education and lifelong learning in Singapore's institutions of higher learning, and maintains close and well-established communication and collaboration with the Singaporean industry.
Visit Chinese Embassy and companies
On October 16, the delegation visited the Chinese Embassy in Singapore and met with the Chinese Ambassador Cao Zhongming, with whom Liu Yuanchun exchanged views on the development trend of China's economy and the cooperation between China and Singapore in the field of education. After the meeting, chaired by Cao Zhongming, Liu Yuanchun gave a lecture on “Interpretation of Economic System Reform Policies” to the diplomatic staff of the Embassy.
During the stay in Singapore, the delegation had exchanges and discussions with representatives of China Taiping Insurance (Singapore) Pte Ltd and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (Singapore Branch) on topics such as China's macroeconomic trends and collaborative education between universities and industries.
Attend 2024 Future China Global Forum
Founded by Business China Singapore in 2010, Future China Global Forum is an international networking platform that brings together leaders and experts from various fields, including politics, business and academia. The past 14 forums have received extensive international media coverage and attracted guests from all over the world. This year's forum brought together more than 1,000 political and business leaders, experts and scholars from more than 20 countries and 37 keynote speakers, and was attended by Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Ong Swee Keat and Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
On October 18, Liu Yuanchun was invited to attend the forum and participate in the theme discussion of “Insight on China's Policy and Economic Direction” as a keynote speaker. He shared his views on the recent incremental policy package introduced by China in three aspects, the new phenomena and problems of current Chinese economy, the deeper connotation of incremental policy package, and the follow-up policies to be expected. He called on the international community to look beyond the short-term perspective and grasp the theoretical basis and decision-making logic behind the current round of policies at a deeper level, and to see the advancement of the policies, as well as the strength and determination of the Chinese government to focus on the long-term adjustment of the institutional mechanism. His speech objectively responded to the concerns of the international community with rigorous doctrinal analysis, which is an effective practice for Chinese scholars to disseminate China's voice on the international platform and present a real, three-dimensional and comprehensive China.
Meet with alumni to introduce the development of SUFE
The delegation also visited the representatives of SUFE alumni in Singapore, introduced the recent development of SUFE, listened to alumni's suggestions, and exchanged views with alumni on the current economic development of China and the world. Liu Yuanchun hoped that the alumni would take an active part in the development of their alma mater and promote the high-quality development of SUFE.
（From: International Office）
