On the evening of 24th July 2017, Singapore-China Association for Advancement Science & Technology (SCAAST) co-organized a farewell reception at Regent Singapore for the Chinese Ambassador HE Mr Chen Xiaodong, together with the Singapore China Friendship Association, Ee Hoe Hean Club (EHC), Institute of Advanced Studies (IAS) of Nanyang Technological University, Tan Kah Kee Foundation and Tan Kah Kee International Society.
On behalf of each organizations, SCFA President Prof Phua Kok Khoo, EHC President Mr Ko Oon Joo Francis, SCAAST President Prof Shen Zexiang gave speeches at the Reception.
Prof Shen expressed gratitude towards HE Mr Chen, for his contributions and efforts in promoting Singapore-China relations. He said, SCAAST is a unique association with over 250 members, many of them have Masters and Ph. D education background. SCAAST serves as a platform for interaction and collaboration in science and technology between Singapore and China. In the past eight years, the technological cooperation and communications between two countries has scored remarkable achievements. Under the Belt and Road Initiative, Singapore-China will continue to cooperate closer in all fields. Prof Shen also wished HE Mr Chen to have a flourishing and successful career.
In HE Mr Chen’s speech, he thanked SCAAST and the co-hosts for excellent results in strengthening China-Singapore relations and promoting people-to-people friendship between peoples of China and Singapore. He also thanked the co-hosts for hosting the farewell reception. He indicated, people-to-people friendship between China and Singapore plays an important part in strengthening China-Singapore relations. He also emphasized the importance of humanities area in China-Singapore relations, and believed that China-Singapore relations will continue to strive, and so to the people-to-people friendship between China and Singapore.
The co-hosts presented gifts to HE Mr Chen and took group photos. All the guests toasted and expressed good wishes for HE Mr Chen and Mrs Chen.
There were around 90 guests graced the function, including officials from the Chinese Embassy. SCAAST Vice President Dr Zhao Yi, Mr Sun Jianping and Dr Jing Tao, Director of General Office Ms Ren Zhimin, Deputy Secretary Mr Lim Heah Choun, Dr Zhai Lianyin and Mr Ai Xiran attended the event.