Keeping My Mandarin Alive (Chinese Edition) Launches in Shanghai
World Scientific, together with Shantou University Press, China Popular Computer Weekly & TOM group, officially launched the China edition of Keeping My Mandarin Alive on 15 May at Pudong Shangri-La, Shanghai. Officiating as Guest of Honor was Singapore's Minister Mentor MM Lee. Mr Li Lanqing, former Deputy Prime Minister of China, graced the launch as Special Guest. The event was part of MM Lee's eight-day official visit to China.
With more than 150 people from the Chinese Ministry of Education and National Chinese Language Promotion Board, governmental officials, experts in linguistics, university professors and directors/representatives from local publishers, the audience also included the Minister Mentor's delegation, comprising Mrs Lee, six newly elected Members of Parliament from Singapore, and the Singapore Ambassador to China.
Starting on his Mandarin lessons only in his thirties was no deterrant to mastering the language. MM Lee had tips for the Chinese aspiring to learn English in China: do not worry about either grammar or pronunciation and do not be put off by the curious stares of people listening as you practise; it is important to get used to the language and develop a fluency in it first.
Mr Hu Kaixiang, President of Shantou University Press, which published the book in China, said that Chinese students of English have much to learn from MM Lee's spirit.
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