Wandering China

To discern the depth of China-Singapore relations, here is a glimpse of the training Chinese leaders receive when in Singapore. Not-so-subtle public diplomacy from Singapore’s end; one couched in education, and arguably engrained in shaping favorable (maybe even preferential) worldview and paradigms. After ‘capitalist roader’ Deng’s 1992 remarks to Chinese officials to “’learn from the world and, especially Singapore, and do better than Singapore”, thousands of Chinese officials, and mayors-in-training started flooding the island city-state for trips and university degree programmes in administration at the NTU. This article illuminates a little here…

“This year, NTU saw its largest cohort of 331 China graduates completing its six China-focused Masters programmes – Master of Science in Managerial Economics (MME), Master of Public Administration (MPA), Nanyang EMBA, Master of Science in Technopreneurship and Innovation, Master in Educational Administration, and Master of Science in Finance programmes.”

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NTU [Nanyang Technological University] marks the 20th anniversary of Singapore-China ties with three initiatives today
Published on : 19-Sep-2010
Source – NTU News Releases website

The university unveils the Lien Public Service Excellence Index for Chinese cities, organises the inaugural Asia-Pacific Mayors’ Forum and holds its annual convocation ceremony in China today

Nanyang Technological University (NTU) today unveiled a new index that ranks the public service quality of 32 major Chinese cities at a press conference in Guangzhou, China.

Suzhou came in tops in the study across various categories including overall public service.

A joint research project by NTU’s Nanyang Centre for Public Administration (NCPA) (南洋公共管理研究生院) and The School of Public Affairs in Xiamen University (厦门大学公共事务学院), the Lien Public Service Excellence Index for Chinese Cities ranked the top 10 Chinese cities in various aspects of public service quality.

The Index is commissioned and made possible by an endowment from the Lien Foundation (连氏基金), a Singapore philanthropic house. The endowment will enable NCPA to continue the rankings on an annual basis.

Also being held in Guangzhou today are the inaugural Asia-Pacific Mayors’ Forum（亚太市长论坛）and NTU’s fifth China Convocation for China graduates of the Class of 2010 from six China-focused Masters’ programmes.

Dr Su Guaning, President of NTU (徐冠林校长), said: “These collaborations between NTU and China are especially significant as this year marks the 20th anniversary of China-Singapore bilateral relations.

“We are heartened that Singapore’s knowledge and experience in creating a modern and liveable city have been highly regarded by the Chinese government. Through initiatives like the Asia-Pacific Mayors’ Forum and the Lien Public Service Excellence Index, NTU hopes to provide more opportunities for government leaders in China to share and learn from one another in their pursuit of excellence in public service.”

The Lien Public Service Excellence Index
The Lien Public Service Excellence Index for Chinese Cities (连氏中国城市公共服务质量调查) is a comprehensive survey which evaluates the 32 cities of China based on three sets of indicators. They include Overall Public Satisfaction, Business Environment and General Public Service and covers areas such as education, public safety, public health, infrastructure, transport, public policy-making and execution.

Associate Professor Wu Wei (吴伟博士), Director of NTU’s NCPA (南洋公共管理学院院长), said: “The public service excellence index provides the Chinese central government with a broad overview of public service strengths and weaknesses across China. It will serve as benchmarks for excellence in public service for Chinese cities. The findings also serve as topical academic content for NCPA’s Master of Public Administration (MPA) and Master of Science in Managerial Economics (MME) programmes, widely known as the Mayors’ Class.

“The launch of the Index is a key step for NCPA to advance its research on Chinese public administration. The extensive new knowledge generated from the project will also benefit multinational corporations in search of investing opportunities in China.”

“As China’s stature and wealth grows, there will be an inexorable rise of expectations from the Chinese public and businesses in China for quality public service delivery.

“Excellent public service is key for it helps build an increased trust between the government and its the populace. This improves social harmony and balances widening income disparities that come with economic growth. Good public service also translates to a more attractive business environment and an enhanced global image,” said Mr Lee Poh Wah (李宝华), Chief Executive Officer, Lien Foundation.

Professor Chen Zhenming (陈振明教授), Dean of the School of Public Affairs, Xiamen University, said: “Unlike other public service rankings and indices, this Public Service Excellence Index uses first-hand data collected by research groups in the 32 cities where 1,000 resident questionnaires were conducted and another 100 business surveys carried out.

The full report on the results will be published by NTU and Xiamen University by end of 2010. A conference will be organised to study and discuss the findings. NCPA is also planning a case study of Suzhou City’s exemplary quality in public service.

Asia-Pacific Mayors’ Forum 2010 (2010亚太市长论坛)
About 500 government officials from various Chinese cities as well as from around the world attended the first Mayors’ Forum, a joint effort between NTU and the People’s Government of Guangzhou Municipality in China (广州市人民政府).

The Mayors’ Forum aims to provide a platform for mayors and senior officials from the Asia Pacific region to exchange views and experience, and explore more solutions for providing quality public services and developing brands for modern cities.

The two major topics to be discussed at the forum are Pursuing Excellence in Public Service and Branding Modern Cities.

Keynote speakers include Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien (傅海燕), Singapore’s Senior Minister of State for Ministry of Education, Mr Phil Gordon, Mayor of Phoenix City, Arizona, USA, Mr Wan Qingliang, Mayor of Guangzhou City (广州市市长万庆良) and Mr Long Yongtu（龙永图）, Secretary General of Centre for the Study of the G20 and former Secretary General of Boao Forum for Asia.

NTU’s fifth convocation in China
This year, NTU saw its largest cohort of 331 China graduates completing its six China-focused Masters programmes – Master of Science in Managerial Economics (MME), Master of Public Administration (MPA), Nanyang EMBA, Master of Science in Technopreneurship and Innovation, Master in Educational Administration, and Master of Science in Finance programmes.

NTU Pro-Chancellor Mr Chandra Das （名誉副校长詹达斯先生）presided over the fifth NTU China Convocation held at Guangzhou Baiyun International Convention Centre.

Dr Su said: “Over the years, NTU has provided economic and public management training to more than 900 Chinese officials from various parts of China. We believe that the officials, some of whom have become governors or mayors, will put their training in these postgraduate programmes to good use.

“In addition, our business programmes have groomed many into captains of their industries while the technopreneurship and education courses have developed many into entrepreneurs and education leaders respectively.”

NTU holds its convocation in China every year. For China-based graduates who are unable to make the convocation in Singapore, this highly-anticipated annual event allows them to commemorate their special day with their families and their alma mater.

Filed under: Beijing Consensus, Charm Offensive, Chinese Model, Chinese overseas, Communications, Domestic Growth, Economics, Education, Greater China, Influence, International Relations, Media, Nanyang Technological University, Politics, Public Diplomacy, Singapore, Social, Soft Power