On the afternoon of Tuesday, August 4, 2026, led by Mr. Fan Ziping of the Singapore Zhongyuan Association, a delegation from the association’s presidency visited the Bank of China Building at 4 Battery Road for a tour and exchange.
The Bank of China Tower, standing on the banks of the Singapore River, has long been one of the most recognizable landmarks in this international financial center. A pair of stone lions stands quietly in front of the building, bearing witness to the ninety years this multinational bank has spent alongside the Lion City. This visit to the building, which holds the memories of several generations, marks yet another practical initiative by the Singapore Zhongyuan Association to deepen ties with local financial institutions and broaden its members’ horizons for collaboration.
Ninety Years of Dedication: A Financial Landmark in Singapore
The history of the Bank of China’s Singapore Branch has run almost parallel to the development of Singapore’s modern financial sector. In 1936, the Bank of China established its Singapore Branch on Cecil Street, marking the beginning of its operations in the Lion City; In 1953, the branch moved into a new 17-story building at 4 Bate Road, a modernist structure towering over Singapore’s central business district that was once the tallest building in the area; in 1999, an expanded wing was completed at the original site, transforming it into the imposing financial landmark it is today.
For the past 90 years, Bank of China has consistently served as a vital bridge connecting China and Singapore and facilitating economic, trade, and cultural exchanges between the two countries—from assisting overseas Chinese in remitting funds and sharing news from home in the early years to providing a full range of financial services today, including cross-border finance, RMB services, and private banking. the Bank of China Singapore Branch has witnessed and participated in key milestones in Singapore’s socioeconomic development and bilateral cooperation between China and Singapore, and it shares a natural emotional bond and foundation for cooperation with local community organizations such as the Singapore Zhongyuan Association.
During the visit, the Bank of China’s Singapore Branch briefed the delegation led by the President of the Zhongyuan Association on the bank’s core businesses and unique strengths in cross-border RMB settlement, trade finance, wealth management, as well as supporting Chinese enterprises in “going global” and serving the development of local businesses. This provided members of the Zhongyuan Association with a more tangible understanding of the deep-rooted presence of this century-old bank in Singapore.
Working Together for a Brighter Future
During the roundtable discussion, Shi Wei, President of the Bank of China’s Singapore Branch, extended a warm welcome to the delegation from the Singapore Zhongyuan Association. She outlined the Bank of China’s Singapore Branch’s development history, business structure, and unique strengths in serving the Chinese business community. She expressed the Bank of China’s willingness to use this exchange as an opportunity to further strengthen communication and cooperation with the Zhongyuan Association and its member companies, and to provide more professional and convenient financial support to member companies in areas such as cross-border investment and financing, wealth succession, and trade settlement.
Mr. Fan Ziping expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Governor Shi Wei and the Bank of China Singapore Branch for their warm hospitality. He noted that, as a century-old brand, the Bank of China has long played an irreplaceable role in facilitating China-Singapore cooperation and supporting the development of Chinese businesses. This visit to the Bank of China served not only as an educational journey to deepen mutual understanding but also marked a promising start for the Singapore Zhongyuan Association to expand its financial resources and explore new opportunities for collaboration between the association and enterprises. The two sides engaged in in-depth discussions on topics such as cross-border financial services, financing connections for member enterprises, and wealth management, in a warm and pragmatic atmosphere.
Mr. Wang Jiancheng, an advisor to the Singapore Zhongyuan Association, also spoke at the symposium. He praised the professionalism and warm hospitality of the Bank of China’s Singapore Branch and, taking into account the practical needs of member companies in their cross-border development, expressed specific expectations for deepening cooperation between the two parties.
The visit to the Bank of China’s Singapore branch gave the Zhongyuan Association delegation a more firsthand understanding of this century-old bank’s deep-rooted legacy in fostering cooperation between China and Singapore. As a financial landmark standing on the banks of the Singapore River, it embodies not only the commercial history of several generations but also a deep and enduring friendship that transcends mountains and seas.
The Singapore Zhongyuan Association remains committed to uniting the Chinese business community and expanding collaborative resources. Under the leadership of Mr. Fan Ziping, the Association will continue to adopt an open and pragmatic approach, partnering with more local financial and commercial institutions to organize visits and exchange activities across diverse fields, thereby helping member companies achieve steady and sustainable growth and jointly build a brighter future.
The visit concluded successfully in a warm and sincere atmosphere. We would like to thank the Bank of China, Singapore Branch, for their warm hospitality, and every member of the Zhongyuan Association for their active participation.
A journey together to explore the trajectory of financial development; a conversation to write a new chapter in the partnership between banks and businesses.
Visitors
Wang Jiancheng, Advisor to the Singapore Zhongyuan Association and Chairman of Shanxi Ronghua Group Co., Ltd.
Su Jianbin, Permanent Honorary President of the Singapore Zhongyuan Association; Chairman of Yunnan Dongsheng Paper Co., Ltd. and Xinjiang Dongshengxiang Co., Ltd.
Ma Xiaoyun, Permanent Honorary President of the Singapore Zhongyuan Association and Founder of Jingma International
Han Xiao, Permanent Honorary President of the Singapore Zhongyuan Association and Chairman of New Horizon Cultural Tourism Media Co., Ltd.
Fan Ziping, Singapore Zhongyuan Association
Wang Xiaopei, Founding President and Permanent Honorary President of the Singapore Zhongyuan Association, and Chairman of Xinyu Culture Pte. Ltd.
Yang Xuemei, Honorary President of the Singapore Zhongyuan Association and Chairwoman of Shaanxi Dewo Energy-Saving Technology Co., Ltd.
Liu Hongling, Vice President of the Singapore Zhongyuan Association and Managing Director of IMI Lifestyle Products Pte Ltd
Guo Shujie, Vice President of the Singapore Central Plains Association and CEO of Xuanyu Construction Pte. Ltd.
Zhang Bo, Vice President of the Singapore Zhongyuan Association and CEO of Cheng • Production Pte. Ltd.
Li Yong, Vice President of the Singapore Zhongyuan Association and Managing Director of Yongli Plumbing & Sanitation Pte. Ltd.
Guo Lijun, Honorary Vice President and Deputy Secretary-General of the Singapore Zhongyuan Association, and Managing Director of Kino Cranes Pte. Ltd.
Liang Guangbin, Honorary Vice President and Board Member of the Singapore Zhongyuan Association and Managing Director of SCE Engineering
Hou Jian, Honorary Vice President and Director of the Singapore Zhongyuan Association, and Co-founder of Star Glory Intelligent Technology Pte. Ltd.
Zhang Lifeng, Honorary Vice President of the Singapore Zhongyuan Association; Managing Director of Ruilong Development Pte. Ltd. and Fuhua Pte. Ltd. (General Agent for Guojiao 1573 and Lao Moutai)
Hou Zelong, Honorary Vice President of the Singapore Zhongyuan Association and Executive Chairman and CEO of Bubble Water Hub
Chen Liyuan, Honorary Vice President of the Singapore Zhongyuan Association and Founder of Guangdong Laike Emergency Group Co., Ltd.
Jia Weibin, Honorary Vice President of the Singapore Zhongyuan Association and Managing Director of Affiance Luxury
Liu Peiyuan, General Manager of Kunda Group
Zhang Hailai, Chairman of Shanghai Lanfeng Industrial Real Estate Co., Ltd.
Xie Hangmo, Chairman of Guangdong Laike Emergency Group Co., Ltd.
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Produced by | Singapore Zhongyuan Association
Written by | Zhao Xiaodan, Guo Lijun, Hou Jingyu
Photography | Cheng • Production Pte. Ltd.