Singapore China Baijiu Pte Ltd is honored to sponsor the “Chan Soo Sen Cup” Xiangqi Open Tournament for the fourth consecutive year. This year’s tournament was grandly held at the Tong An Association, attracting chess enthusiasts of all ages. Participants from various ethnic backgrounds gathered together, exchanging skills and strategies, creating an energetic and lively atmosphere.
Highlights from the Competition
On the chessboard, the sound of moves echoed continuously. Players were fully focused, every move reflecting careful thought and strategy. The matches combined intense competition with mutual respect and camaraderie, fully showcasing the charm and skill of Xiangqi.
Young Talent
Young players performed impressively alongside adults, making precise moves with calm and poise. Their youthful faces revealed concentration and confidence, demonstrating the inheritance and future of Xiangqi culture through their actions.
Speeches and Awards
At the awards ceremony, Mr. Chan Soo Sen, former Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Trade and Industry, as well as former President of the Singapore China Jiangsu Industrial Park, delivered a heartfelt speech (Fig. 1). Mr. Lin Guanhao, President of the Singapore Xiangqi Federation (Fig. 2), and Mr. Lin Aineng, Vice Chairman of Tong An Association (Fig. 3), also spoke, highly praising the successful organization of the event.
Following the speeches, guests presented awards to the winners, with applause and celebration filling the venue, bringing this year’s tournament to a perfect conclusion.
Jointly presented by Yuan Cultural Arts and Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, The Journey of Seeking Heart II: Everything Silent as a Mystery successfully concluded on the evening of 25 July at the Singtel Waterfront Theatre. The performance interpreted Eastern philosophy and emotions through contemporary expression, deeply resonating with the audience.
Singapore China Baijiu Pte Ltd is honored to be one of the sponsors supporting this performance of depth and artistic value. We have always believed that enterprises are an important force in cultural transmission. Supporting local arts is an important step towards fostering integration and creative exchange.
We thank the creative team and every audience member for their support. In the future, we will continue to support and participate in more meaningful cultural and artistic projects as well as cross-disciplinary collaborations.
Guests in attendance included:
Photo 4: Mr. Ng Wei Jin (second from left), CEO of Adirect Singapore
Photo 3: Mr. Lee Hong Chuang (left), Member of Parliament for Jurong East–Bukit Batok GRC
The 20th Asian Chess Individual Championship, hosted by the Singapore Xiangqi General Association and sponsored by Singapore China Baijiu Pte Ltd was successfully held from 3rd to 5th December 2024, and the closing ceremony was held at Qian Xi (Farrer Park) Restaurant on the evening of December 6th.
On December 2nd, the opening ceremony and the 90th Anniversary Dinner of the Singapore Xiang Qi Association were first held at SAFRA Mount Faber. Mr. Lim Guan Hao, President of the Singapore Xiang Qi Association, Mr. Timothy Fok, President of the Asian Xiang Qi Federation, and Ms. Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment and Minister for Trade and Industry of Singapore, delivered speeches respectively.
Mr Chan Soo Sen, former Senior Minister of State for Education and Trade and Industry of Singapore, and Mr. Charles Oon, Chairman of Singapore China Baijiu Pte Ltd and Permanent Honorary President of Singapore Chess Federation, were also invited to attend and witnessed this important moment with contestants from 14 countries.
On the same day, a special event was held at the Xiamen Association in Singapore, where Chinese chess grandmaster Mr Liu Dahua and Chinese chess master Mr Dang Fei worked together to bring a unique experience to the audience.
They gave professional explanations of the games and collaborated to complete a two-versus-six multi-sided blind chess exhibition match, fully demonstrating the unique charm of chess art with their superb skills and tacit cooperation.
After three days and seven intense rounds of competition, the Chinese team clinched both the men’s and women’s championships on December 5, once again showcasing the profound heritage and exceptional strength of its chess culture.
男子组前三名：刘柏宏、黄学谦、杨世哲
女子组前三名：刘欢、阮黄燕、吴兰香
On December 6, at the closing dinner, approximately 160 chess leaders, players, and professionals from across Asia and Singapore came together to celebrate the event.
Chess, as an important embodiment of traditional Chinese culture, shares deep parallels with liquor culture, reflecting the values of wisdom, heritage, and inclusivity. In line with this ethos, Singapore China Baijiu Pte Ltd established the “Singapore Chess Player Outstanding Award” and the “Sports Spirit Award,” which were awarded to Singaporean chess player Ms. Wu Lan Xiang and Lebanese chess player Mr. Elias Abou Jaoude, respectively. Mr. Charles Oon, Chairman of Singapore China Baijiu Pte Ltd and Permanent Honorary President of the Singapore Chess Federation, personally presented the awards to the recipients.
The closing dinner was held in a warm atmosphere, and the unique charm of chess culture was fully displayed in the joyful atmosphere.
As a proud supporter of the event and a dedicated advocate for cultural exchange, Singapore China Baijiu Pte Ltd remains committed to promoting the richness of Chinese culture. The company aspires not only to contribute to the growth of Asian chess but also to foster regional cultural exchanges and strengthen friendships. Looking ahead, we are eager to continue advancing the dissemination and development of Chinese culture through activities like chess, while collaborating with diverse sectors to build lasting connections.
