Insight into contemporary China with NTU NCPA

At NTU’s NCPA, Ms Lim Wen Xin gains a greater understanding of China today

By Meredith Woo

July 7, 2019

When China overtook Japan to become the second-largest economy in the world after the United States in 2010, it was probably no surprise to Ms Lim Wen Xin.

After all, she has been keenly following China’s rapid growth since her undergraduate studies in Economics and Chinese Studies, and afterwards, through various China-related research, journalism and partnership roles.

The 29-year-old is an assistant manager at Business China, where she works to strengthen Singapore-China ties through the support of the public sector and private enterprises, as well as to promote bilingualism and biculturalism in young Singaporeans.

One of the three capabilities to doing business in China is an understanding of its ongoing social, economic and political changes, she notes, citing other aspects such as fluency in the Chinese language and knowledge of the country’s traditional culture.

However, it was not enough for her to acquire this insight on her own.

“Many times, our knowledge on China, gleaned from various online sources and acquired out of context, is narrow, shallow and biased,” she says.

While doing a market scan on the China-related courses in Singapore, Ms Lim came across the Master of Social Sciences (China and Global Governance) programme offered by Nanyang Technological University’s (NTU) Nanyang Centre for Public Administration.

She found that it aligned with her work and passion, and started her studies last year. She is due to graduate in 2020.

Better understanding on a global stage

Taking the master’s programme has helped Ms Lim to get closer to her goal of developing a holistic understanding of China’s evolving socio-economic and political landscape, as well as its regional and global impact.

The modules are conducted by China specialists who discuss China’s economic miracles, and demystify Chinese characteristics such as cultural roots, party governance, mixed ideologies, continuous reform and experimentation of economic policy.

She also learns about China’s international relations and security issues, its Belt and Road Initiative, and its role in international organisations.

Ms Lim also recognises that bicultural competence is important, and that her understanding of China and its cultural nuances greatly facilitates communication and interaction with her Chinese counterparts, planning of marketing strategies, and the curation and development of content for Business China’s programmes.

Therefore, she is glad that she could further her learning experience with her classmates in an immersion programme in China, where they received opportunities to meet business and political leaders, and visit state and private enterprises, among others.