Tag: digital; communication; strategy; creative campaign; event management; media

The Chongqing Connectivity Initiative (CCI), a bilateral government-to-government project established to reinforce trade links between China and Singapore, is the third in a series of strategic trade partnerships intertwining the economic outlook of both countries. Under the aegis of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the CCI bears witness to China and Singapore’s intricate interdependency as Asian counterparts and countries with multilateral diplomatic ties involving each other. The CCI entails the intensification of infrastructure connecting the two countries – in the holistic sectors of transport, logistics, aviation, finance and info-communications technology – as a continuation of the legacy of the BRI, the 2013 brainchild of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Signing ceremony held at China Club. Photographer: Helena Ma, managing director IDEA communication Pte Ltd.

The ethos behind the BRI and the CCI notwithstanding, the two initiatives have drawn flak and controversy from Western media outlets, which have alleged that the BRI embodies Beijing’s expansionist agenda and thereby jeopardises the climate of political liberalism. Given that the CCI is encompassed by the BRI, it too, has suffered the levelling of similar criticism on the basis of this affiliation. Moreover, being less conspicuous than the much-discussed BRI, the CCI is in need of greater media coverage, especially coverage by the most prestigious of news agencies.

In a bid to debunk disingenuous claims about CCI and BRI, the key personnel behind the CCI have appointed IDEA Communication Pte Ltd as the exclusive PR and communications consultancy that will recalibrate public perceptions of these initiatives. This decision is envisioned by the CCI to turn the tables and give the CCI and BRI a clean slate to gain the recognition and support they deserve, as the CCI’s preliminary discussions with IDEA Communication have already yielded detailed and systematic plans for feature articles in top tier media outlets such as China Daily, and concrete measures to dissociate CCI and BRI from detrimental allegations.

The potential that this partnership promises is well-articulated by Gordon Tan, General Manager of the Sino-Singapore Chongqing Connectivity Solutions (SSCCS): “The launch of the Chongqing Connectivity Initiative was a watershed moment in the traditionally strong relationship between China and Singapore, one built on not only economic ties, but also on a shared culture and heritage, and IDEA’s diverse team of PR operators and specialists in other disciplines will play a critical role in helping the CCI to gain traction in both Singapore and China.” Led by Helena Ma, the Founder and Managing Director who straddles the complexities involved in residing across the globe, IDEA Communication looks set to give the CCI the publicity boost it needs and catalyse a paradigm shift in the minds of detractors.

Image credit: https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/new-china-rail-network-cuts-transit-time-for-exports-to-singapore-and-beyond