On the afternoon of January 10, the 15th Tsinghua Forum of Chinese Entrepreneur Leaders, hosted by Tsinghua University and the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese (ACFROC), was held in Tsinghua University's Main Building. Tsinghua President Li Luming attended and addressed the forum, and Vice President Yang Bin participated in the deep conversation session.
This event invited Malaysia's IOI Properties Group CEO Lee Yeow Seng, and Malaysia's Parliament member and former Minister of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Yeo Bee Yin to share the success stories and spiritual journey of Mr. Lee Shin Cheng, Founder of IOI Group.
Li Luming extended a warm welcome to the participants and his gratitude to people from all walks of life for their long concern and support for the development of the university. Li recalled the attention and support given by Mr. Lee Shin Cheng and Mr. Lee Yeow Seng to Tsinghua's development, and expressed his heartfelt thanks to them. He said that over the past 16 years since its establishment, the Tsinghua Forum of Chinese Entrepreneur Leaders, with strong support from all walks of life, especially the ACFROC, has not only evolved into an important platform for in-depth exchanges and joint action on building China's independent knowledge system, but also pooled wisdom and strength for pushing Tsinghua to the forefront of the world's first-class universities. Tsinghua University values exchanges and cooperation with Malaysia and other Southeast Asian countries, and emphasizes giving play to the unique advantages of overseas Chinese as a bridge between China and other countries. Moving ahead, Tsinghua looks forward to working with overseas compatriots and the entire Chinese people in a concerted effort to further pursue the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, and strive to write a splendid chapter in the high-quality development of the BRI, with national rejuvenation, world peace and people's wellbeing in mind. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of New China, and the 50 anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia. May China-Malaysia friendship thrive like an evergreen tree!
Entrusted by Wan Lijun, Chairman of the ACFROC, Sui Jun, Advisor to the ACFROC, member of the Standing Committee and Deputy Director of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the CPPCC National Committee, extended warm congratulations on the opening of the forum. Sui said that Mr. Lee Shin Cheng devoted his whole life to Chinese language education and inheritance of Chinese culture, acting on the principle that "caught in difficulties, one should still hold himself to a high standard; when illustrious and influential, one should contribute to the well-being of all". Mr. Lee Yeow Seng has continued his father's patriotism and cultural gene, not only vigorously expanding business cooperation with China, but also actively carrying forward his father's love and compassion to provide full support for the cause of education in China. This epitomizes the pioneering and enterprising spirit and selfless dedication of overseas Chinese entrepreneurs. The ACFROC will continue to support the Center for Chinese Entrepreneur Studies (CCES) at Tsinghua University in carrying out more exchanges and cooperation with the ACFROC and the Chinese Institute for Overseas Chinese Studies, to further develop an industry-academia-research cooperation landscape and allow full play to the role in connecting and serving overseas Chinese entrepreneurs and promoting overseas Chinese studies.
Zhu Chongshi, former President of Xiamen University, shared the personal charisma he felt during his engagement with Mr. Lee Shin Cheng and the spiritual legacy Mr. Lee left behind for the future generations. He summed up Mr. Lee's lifelong value pursuit using the excellent traditional Chinese culture represented by the five constant virtues, namely benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom and fidelity.
CCES Director Long Denggao, representative of the authors of the book An Unquiet Life: A Biography of Lee Shin Cheng, introduced why and how this book was written. Liu Zhibin, head of an editorial branch of Tsinghua University Press, introduced the main content and publication of the book.
In the deep conversation session, Mr. Lee Yeow Seng and his wife Ms. Yeo Bee Yin, and Yang Bin had an in-depth conversation on topics such as corporate governance, life philosophy, charity, public services and environmental protection around the content of the book.
Tsinghua ACCPET Director David Daokui Li and former Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Chai Xi, as close friends of Mr. Lee Shin Cheng, spoke at the forum respectively, introducing the legendary life of Mr. Lee Shin Cheng and reminiscing about their engagements with Mr. Lee Shin Cheng.
Peng Kaiping and Ouyang Qin, Dean and Communist Party Committee Secretary, respectively, of the School of Social Sciences at Tsinghua University, presented souvenirs to the couple. More than 150 guests and teachers and students participated in the event.
The Tsinghua Forum of Chinese Entrepreneur Leaders is a brand event organized by Tsinghua University in partnership with the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council and the ACFROC. It invites Chinese entrepreneur leaders from home and abroad and persons of influence active in Chinese and overseas markets. The cooperation between IOI and Tsinghua University has begun since 2013, and Mr. Lee Yeow Seng visited Tsinghua University in February 2021.
