(SINGAPORE, 4th October) Raising Hopes – an Educational Photo Exhibition for the 70th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China – has been unveiled at Capitol Piazza on October 4, 2019.
The opening ceremony was attended by Mr. Chee Hong Tat, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry & Ministry of Education, Singapore; H.E. Hong Xiaoyong, Chinese Ambassador to Singapore; and more than 200 prominent guests including diplomats, business leaders, scholars, educators and local community representatives and etc.
The Exhibition, organized by the China Image Group and Xinhua News Agency’s Singapore Bureau, is being held from Oct 1st to 7th, 2019 as part of the activities to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). As the first of its kind in Southeast Asia as well as Singapore, the exhibition displays 70 well-selected pictures that showcase China’s education development in three stages from 1949 to 2019, demonstrating the efforts and the achievement of the Chinese government since 1949.
Mr. Chee Hong Tat, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry & Ministry of Education, Singapore, delivered his in speech Chinese: “The photo exhibition shows China’s educational development in three chronological stages. Historically speaking, education has been in the centerpiece of the Chinese culture. Dating back to more than 2,000 years, the early Chinese philosopher Confucius put forward the major educational concept that called to provide education to people despite their distinction and social status. That concept plays a positive role in lifting the overall level of the society.”
“Next year will mark the 30th Anniversary of the diplomatic ties between Singapore and China. Although the two countries have experienced different processes of development, both of them emphasize the importance of education. I hope that the two countries will continue to strengthen their cooperation in political, economic, educational and cultural areas. As a result of that, they will learn from each other and keep promoting their bilateral relationship,” Mr. Chee said.
Mr Hong Xiaoyong, Chinese Ambassador to Singapore also delivered his speech during the opening ceremony. He reviewed the 70 years of education development in new China and the great efforts made by the Chinese government.
Compulsory education has been provided to primary and secondary schools throughout China, and the level of all types of school education, including adult education, has been constantly improved, providing a large number of talent pools for the country’s development.
Mr Hong said: “China has entered a new era of reform and development. The Education in China is confronted with unprecedented opportunities along with the challenges.”
“We have to further consolidate the educational system based on our experience, and to reform the system continuously. Besides, we will learn from other countries, including Singapore, to continue with our educational reform and development, in a bid to boost China’s overall education to a new level,” he said.
On behalf of the photo exhibition organizers, Mr. Xia Lixin, Singapore Bureau Chief of Xinhua News Agency, said in his welcome speech: “The 70 historic picture exhibits
were selected by the China Image Group. Xinhua News Agency undertakes the social
responsibility of reporting and promoting educational reforms and development.
Hopefully, this exhibition will improve the understanding of China’s educational
development in Singapore and promote educational exchanges between the two
countries.”
Back to 1949 when the People’s Republic of China was founded, more than 80% of its 550 million population was illiterate. Ever since, the Chinese government has committed itself to reforming and promoting the overall strength of the country through the adopting of the Strategy of Invigorating China through Science and Education (科教兴国 ) — a roadmap stressing development based on progress in science and technology.
Through the talent cultivation program, as well as with the increase of communication and cultural exchange with countries from around the world, China has improved its ecosystem of education, making it possible to become the second-largest economy in the world.
