Professor Tan Kong Yam in Discussions with
Guangdong Party Officials on Industrial
Upgrading Strategy
On 5 November 2008, Professor Tan Kong Yam was invited by
Wang Yang, party secretary and politburo member, to visit
Guangdong and address the party school on the experience of
Singapore’s industrial upgrading strategy, and its policy recommendations
to the Guangdong government in their present difficult policy measures
on industrial restructuring and upgrading. The meeting was attended by
all the top leaders in
Guangdong (about 400
senior government and
party officials), including
Wang Yang and Governor
Huang Huahua. Professor
Tan was the first foreigner
to address the party
school.
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Professor Tan Kong Yam delivering a
lecture
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The presentation was very
well received and the
video tape of the talk and
transcription has been
sent to Beijing and the
state council.
In his discussion with
Wang Yang and Huang Huahua, they noted the difficulty in the present
restructuring of industries in Guangdong amidst the difficult global
financial crisis. They discussed the policy stimulating measures
Guangdong could undertake, including manpower training, real estate
sector support and infrastructural development. Apparently, the state
council in Beijing has finalized some contingency plans on fiscal stimulus.
The state council has also formed a high power inter-agency group to
monitor the global financial crisis very closely and propose strategies to
the top leadership in response. President Hu Jintao’s meeting in the
G20 could be a forum whereby China could take a higher profile, both to
protect its interests and project an image of responsible stakeholder in
the global financial system.