SINGAPORE has grown and prospered because of its ability to tack the nation's sails according to the winds of change, said Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong yesterday.
And the Republic must continue to do so as China grows in importance, he said.
"As China grows in strength, we hope that this will not just be China's century. We hope it will be the Asian century,'' he said.
Mr Goh was speaking at a dinner at The Shangri-La Hotel organised by non-profit international body Boao Forum for Asia, which organises an annual economic forum held on Hainan island in China.
Last night's dinner was organised in conjunction with the FutureChina Global Forum, a major annual conference which begins today at The Shangri-La Hotel.
China's sovereignty has been threatened in the past but unlike Singapore, it "can never disappear as a country", said Mr Goh, who is a board director of the Boao Forum.
As the world's second largest economy, China's growth will have great impact on the region - its burgeoning middle class, economic reforms and vast market have created immense opportunities.
Singapore has to continue reading the winds of change and "tack our sails accordingly", added Mr Goh.
The dinner was also attended by the former vice-premier of China, Mr Zeng Peiyan, and the former deputy prime minister of Singapore, Mr Wong Kan Seng.
"When China sneezes, the whole world catches a cold.
"It is therefore important for us to keep abreast of China's latest developments, the key drivers of change and their corresponding impact," Mr Wong told the audience of 50 at last night's dinner.
Mr Wong is also an adviser to Business China, a networking organisation for Singaporeans doing business in China.
Business China is the organiser of the FutureChina Global Forum.
Both Mr Goh and Mr Zeng, who is the vice-chairman of the Boao Forum for Asia, are delivering keynote speeches at the opening plenary session of today's FutureChina Global Forum.
PROSPERITY FOR ALL
As China grows in strength, we hope that this will not just be China's century. We hope it will be the Asian century.
Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong
This article was first published on July 17, 2014.
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