Hinghwa Youth from Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia Gather in the Lion City to Explore Regional Collaboration Opportunities
In conjunction with the inaugural Hinghwa May Day Thousand-People Banquet, the Singapore Puxian (Hinghwa) Network hosted the “Singapore-Malaysia-Indonesia Hinghwa Youth Exchange and Enterprise Visit” on the morning of May 2. The event took place at the Association's headquarters in Singapore and was led by Vice Presidents Mr. Zhang Tze Chian, Mr. Alex Lee, and Secretary-General Ms. Catherine Yao, along with members of the Association’s youth group, who welcomed and engaged with the visiting delegates.
The event attracted young Hinghwa entrepreneurs from across Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Its aim was to strengthen cross-border ties among the Hinghwa community and explore new avenues for regional cooperation.
The delegation featured participants from a broad range of industries, including heavy machinery, civil engineering, food wholesale, accounting, agriculture, manufacturing, and F&B—reflecting the diverse economic involvement and entrepreneurial energy of Hinghwa descendants in Southeast Asia. Representatives included youth members from the Malaysia Heng Ann Association, Jakarta Heng Ann Association in Indonesia, and Hinghwa entrepreneurs from Makassar, Indonesia.
A notable guest at the event was Mr. Yang Chong Qing, a prominent Hinghwa elder from Surabaya, Indonesia, and Honorary Chairman of the Singapore Puxian (Hinghwa) Network. Despite his busy schedule, Mr. Yang made time to attend and share insights on youth development efforts in Surabaya. He encouraged the younger generation to actively tap into available resources and expand their cross-border networks.
As part of the programme, delegates also visited several enterprises in Singapore led by members of the local Hinghwa community. These included China Life Insurance (Singapore) Pte Ltd, where General Manager Mr. Lin Xiang Yang gave a comprehensive briefing on the local business climate. He also shared strategies on how businesses can stay agile and adapt to market challenges.
LED Signs Pte Ltd, an advertising signage company founded by Vice President Mr. Alex Lee, and Kee Wah Machinery Pte Ltd, a precision engineering firm helmed by Vice President Mr. Ng Yong. These visits offered participants a first-hand look at business operations and industrial development in Singapore.
Mr. Chen Ze Nan, a graduate student from the National University of Singapore, shared that the visit gave him a deeper understanding of the local insurance industry. He suggested that future events could include more opportunities for youth to interact directly with senior executives, helping them better grasp industry trends and leadership perspectives.
Mr. Ma Rong Hui, head of the Malaysia Heng Ann Association Youth Wing, said the gathering brought him closer to fellow Hinghwa youths and he looked forward to continued collaboration to strengthen community bonds. Fellow delegate Mr. Lu Jing Yuan praised the event’s organisation, calling it a rare and valuable platform for international exchange, which helped deepen their understanding of the current state of the Hinghwa diaspora.
Mr. He Yi Yan, President of the Jakarta Heng Ann Youth Association, and Vice President Mr. Guo Qing Hua, were also impressed by the May Day banquet and enterprise visits. They found the experience enriching and eye-opening, offering meaningful exchanges and a better understanding of the Singapore Puxian (Hinghwa) Network's role and mission. Mr. Guan Fu Han, a representative from Makassar, expressed hopes that similar events could be held regularly to help young people connect with their Hinghwa heritage.
Mr. Li Zhi Qiang, a Hinghwa native residing in Singapore, noted that the event not only fostered mutual understanding but also created opportunities for experience sharing and network building. He suggested that making such initiatives a regular affair could further drive regional integration and collaboration.
Some delegates proposed adding more business and talent exchange components to future large-scale gatherings—such as the Thousand-People Banquet—to enhance the practical value and impact of these events.
The exchange ended on a warm and positive note, with all participants agreeing that this was a significant step forward in building collaboration among Hinghwa youth across the three countries. As one delegate aptly put it,
“No matter where we are in the world, the hearts of Hinghwa people are always connected.”
