SHANGHAI, May 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 8, UOB 40 – UOB China's 40th Anniversary Exhibition was grandly opened at the UOB Art Gallery in Shanghai. Nearly 100 representatives of Chinese and ASEAN enterprises and institutions, including Consul General of Singapore in Shanghai, Mr. Chua Pha, Consul General of Indonesia in Shanghai, Mr. Xiao Jian, Director of China (Shanghai) Free Trade Zone Lujiazui Administration, Mr. Zhou Haidong, Deputy Director General of China (Shanghai) Free Trade Zone Lujiazui Administration, Mr. Huang Jiajun, Chief Representative of the Monetary Authority of Singapore in China, and Mr. Surya, Deputy Chief Representative and Executive Analyst of Bank Indonesia's Beijing Representative Office, attended the opening ceremony of the exhibition. The opening of the exhibition marks the official opening of UOB China's 40th anniversary.
"Prosperous 40" – UOB China 40th Anniversary Exhibition Launching Ceremony (From left to right: Yang Ruiqi, Deputy Governor and Head of Global Banking, UOB China, Zhou Haidong, Deputy Director-General of Lujiazui Authority, China (Shanghai) Free Trade Zone, Han Bopan, Consul General of Indonesia in Shanghai, Fu Maozan, President and Chief Executive Officer of UOB China, Chua Khan He, Consul General of Singapore in Shanghai, Xiao Jian, Director of Lujiazui Administration of China (Shanghai) Free Trade Zone, Wu Yuhua, Director of UOB China, Cheng Jun, Chief Executive Officer, UOB Hong Kong Branch, Mr Nik Ming, Director, UOB China)
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Foo Mou Chan, President and Chief Executive Officer of UOB China, said, "At the beginning of the reform and opening up, UOB has been engaged in the wave of China's economic development and has kept pace with the times. This exhibition is not only a retrospective of UOB's development in China, but also a vision of a bright future for the future. Next year, the UOB Group will celebrate its 90th anniversary. At this important juncture, we will continue to act with integrity, resonate with China, work together with all parties to build prosperity, and strive to become the bank of choice for enterprises and individuals to explore business opportunities in ASEAN. "
From an office to a full-fledged foreign financial institution, UOB China has achieved five times the operating revenue of a local incorporated bank in 2008, nearly five times its asset size compared to the initial period of incorporation, and is one of the largest foreign exchange banks, precious metals business and cross-border RMB trade finance transactions in Southeast Asia. Since 2011, UOB has helped more than 1,500 Chinese companies to start cross-border business, thanks to its unique FDI advisory services and a dedicated team of internal and external professionals. UOB China has also received recognition and accolades from all walks of life, including the "Shanghai Financial Innovation Award".
Through the four chapters of "China", the exhibition showcases UOB China's unwavering commitment to working with the nation, with customers and partners, and with employees and communities.
- "Knowing China with One Heart" – from 1935, when Datuk Wong Keng Cheong, whose ancestral home was in Fujian, and six other Chinese businessmen founded UOB, to 1971, when Mr Wong Cho Yew led Singapore's first trade mission to China after the founding of the country. From the establishment of the Beijing Representative Office in 1984 to the approval of UOB (China) in 2007, it has grown into a leading foreign bank with operations in 13 cities and a registered capital of RMB 7.5 billion. Through two intertwined timelines, the exhibition tells the story of how UOB China is closely aligned with a series of national policies, expanding its business network, promoting financial innovation, and promoting connectivity between China and ASEAN. Many precious photographs, archives and objects have been made public for the first time, and UOB China has also recreated the first old office at the Minzu Hotel in Beijing, taking visitors back in time.
- "Blossom and Autumn Fruit" – Images, videos and a series of client case studies illustrate how UOB China is helping to meet the cross-border financial needs of Chinese and foreign enterprises and individuals in the process of deepening economic and trade between China and ASEAN, and providing innovative financial services and solutions. Since 2011, UOB has helped more than 1,500 Chinese companies to start cross-border business, and has been working in six major sectors, namely agriculture and consumer goods, construction and infrastructure, energy and chemicals, healthcare and healthcare, industry and manufacturing, and technology, media and telecommunications. As one of the most well-qualified foreign banks in China in precious metals and commodities business, UOB China actively promotes innovation in precious metals business and helps open up the "golden road" of opening up and cooperation between China and ASEAN.
- "Living Up to the Promise" – a series of touching stories about personal growth from both the perspective of employees and the community, including veteran staff who have served UOB China for more than 30 years and foreign leaders who have worked in UOB China. It also showcased how UOB China is committed to supporting the harmonious development of the community in the three major areas of arts, children and education. From 2008 to the end of 2023, UOB donated nearly $15.58 million in donations and resources to 21 charity cooperatives, benefiting 33,639 people, and contributing nearly 18,600 hours of volunteer service to various charity activities. As a staunch to Asian art, UOB promotes artistic heritage and innovation, discovers young artistic talents, and provides more opportunities for the public to engage in art through a series of distinctive art platforms, such as the UOB Art Gallery and the UOB Annual School Ink Art Awards.
- "Writing a New Chapter Together" – an interactive design that gives visitors a different viewing experience, pays tribute to the 40-year history of UOB China, and writes about UOB's determination to build prosperity together with all parties.
As the first part of a series of UOB China 40th Anniversary celebrations, the UOB 40 Expo is open to the public free of charge from 9 May to 30 June 2024 (closed on Sundays and public holidays), with the online exhibition coming soon. In addition, UOB China will demonstrate its commitment to the Chinese market through a series of forums, documentaries, art exhibitions and charity festivals.