Dream of Technology – A Different Life Beyond Army Career

Interview of Mr. Qingshun Zhu, Secretary-General of the Singapore Electronic Science and Technology and Innovation Industry Chamber of Commerce

(Left – Mr. Qingshun Zhu, Secretary-General of the Singapore Electronic Science and Technology and Innovation Industry Chamber of Commerce; Right – Fushan Wang, executive president of <Consumer Electronics>)

For every step of the way he does, with achievements resonating resoundingly, he lives a life following his heart, that is how he behaves along the road or in another terms“This is how life is”, he blurted out. However, no one can say that as easily as he did since he lives such a wonderful and dreamed life that no ordinary people can achieve. Some people may owe this to good luck, but this is not the case at all. Every single opportunity we call “good luck” should always be seized, grabbed and retained, especially when someone has to take tough choices and then turn it into success and joy for himself. That´s why we usually say that things happening today are not necessarily a big thing but they will provide with greatness in the forever standing tomorrow and even more they will be a beautiful story to tell next year. However, since most of the people is focusing too much on results nowadays rather than in another specifics, it´s imperative for us to take in a serious manner the process taken to the achievement of the forever more important results because this is the one that will allow us to finally say “This is how it has to be done ”.

At a loss, cut off by sea

A quite funny anecdote is that, it was until the very last night before interview when I knew that I would talk to the famous and respected Mr. Qingshun Zhu, Secretary-General of the Singapore Electronic Science and Technology and Innovation Industry Chamber of Commerce. After having done an intense research for relevant information, my brain totally active and aware of my whole surroundings, suddenly then I started to wander whether this character was a Chinese citizen or a foreigner, so If this is a foreigner, I had to to speak in English so I can communicate with him, but then thinking about not having used English as a daily tool for almost two years, I shuddered and began to talk to myself in English nervously in order to have a smoother chat. However, maybe like most of the people, I tend to give myself trouble or feel shy because of not making a mistake or not being understood. Luckily, that night my mind was so clear that I could even count all the stars in the sky. It was just in the blink of an eye that the day broke and passed along my sight.

I was so nervous and at full attention for upcoming interview. However, due to bad weather the flight had to be cancelled and Mr. Qingshun Zhu didn’t arrive at the appointed time. The interview was not happening as smooth as imagined, just turned to be a little bit out of the common. This made me have such an adrenaline rush that tried to find some answers to myself. I spent in a long and a like never ended waiting since 12:00 at noon till 14:00 in the afternoon, and then until 16:00 when Mr. Qingshun Zhu finally showed up. I was tapping keyboards in front of the computer when I heard that characteristic rustling sound made when a suitcase rubs with the ground immediately looked up and in a glance saw that this character was tall and thin and more importantly, I said inside my mind,“Thank goodness! He is Chinese!, Such a relief”, however, it looked he did not see me at all because with a pace like the light itself he rushed straight to the reception room. This made me think that I didn’t see him clearly and perhaps he was the wrong person, so I went out for him directly without our leader’s permission to check up whether I was right.

Easy, just a smile

It is quite often known that unpredicted results will come out of an arrangement on purpose. So, When all the people was well prepared for the interview Mr. Qingshun Zhu spoke in an impressive fluent Chinese saying: ”My friend requested me to help him test which perfume is to be more easily accepted.” And proceeded to open a bag with many different perfume testers and let all the people sense the smells and then give him a feedback and advice, so he took some bottles out and said“This is number 1 to number 6, have a try. Because of this peculiar gesture of him, even though the topic about Singapore Electronics Forum which was arranged in advance fade away for a moment, all the people tried their best to smell and gave their own suggestions. It was a great thing to experience because he did not seem to bother about it at all, quite the opposite, because while having us all together he said with the same energy as if we were talking about the main subject, When the people was discussing which perfume wasthe best one, he took out a piece of paper and drew a chart immediately, putting those suggestions about those 6 kinds of perfume in it. This was the serious and meticulous attitude of this elder, which may have already been embedded in his whole life. He looked up and smiled and then continued taking notes. The rare expression of humble between his eyebrows make people know immediately that he is a curious scholar. With all those different fragrances and smells in the air and the smiles on everyone’s face, we were sure that there was no need of worrying at all and the interview could continue in happy and loose atmosphere.

Profession, depending on perseverance

” There are a lot of flights between Singapore and Hong Kong. It doesn’t matter if I have to change the flight in Shenzhen because I need to deal with stuff in Singapore, so in a way or another that time will not be wasted.”he said. This a an embed attitude because of formerly being a military, so he is strict to himself and has already been accustomed to cherishing time as the life itself.

From 1983 to 1993, Mr. Qingshun Zhu devoted this ten years to the barracks as a full-time military. After demission in 1993, due to outstanding performance, Mr. Qingshun Zhu was promoted to be preparatory military officer from 1994 to 2007, and became the company commander of the warranty and machinery ministry, and was promoted again in 2003 as squadron leader. All of this should be attributed to his hard work and perseverance. “There is only extremely hard work in the army life but there are not tears waste. There is not only bitterness but also happiness.”He said. The army life includes getting up, exercising, housekeeping, breakfast, classes, lunch, afternoon nap, classes, outdoor activities, dinner, watching TV news, free time, washing the face and hands and then go to bed. These seemingly boring activities have specific disciplined pace and are also interesting. Qingshun Zhu recalled, “Every time after military training, we got free time and we always played together. Sometimes we had beer competition to see who was the fastest one. I usually lost because my stomach is small. However, I was very happy.”From his words, it is obvious that he misses the life as a full-time military so much. There is no doubt that the most frequent activity in army is high-intensive training, and perseverance was built from then on. In the meanwhile, Qingshun Zhu became firm in dealing with everything and would spend every effort once he decides to do it. From an ordinary military to preparatory military officer, and then to squadron leader, Qingshun Zhu has always believed that the strategy to command soldiers is to put your heart into it and treat your soldiers sincerely, and safety is the first priority and we are responsible for our nation. This simple belief is always consistent with the lofty faith of Singapore military officers, which is “Duty, Honor and Country”, and this is what Qingshun Zhu believes in and stick to in life.

Looking back at military life, he enjoys hardships and good luck in the meanwhile. When offered the vice battalion commander of the Ministry of National Defense of Singapore, is common to think that most of the people will accept it happily, since it is a lifelong time honor for a soldier. However, to everyone’s surprise, MR. Qingshun Zhu rejected it politely, “I’m very content with what I have at present. It’s enough. Let me give more opportunities to other military soldiers.” At this moment, he still concerns about others and shows a great satisfaction with his achievements and acceptance. Faced with such a handy honor, Mr. Qingshun Zhu didn’t hesitate at all, but chose another road to look firmly for his new future. It is because of his humble attitude and the intelligence to make choices that he starts up from zero and also makes great achievements on this way.

After the demission from the army, Mr. Qingshun Zhu is not a full-time military anymore and starts to set foot on the chip and vacuum technology industry, where he devotes twenty years. From original start-up to entering Singapore Electronics Chamber of Commerce, and then to Singapore Electronic Science and Technology and Innovation Industry Chamber of Commerce, he walks steadily and firmly in this industry and achieves higher and higher level.

 Dream, and Also Sentiment

For every step of the way, with achievements resonating resoundingly, he lives a life fully following his heart. “Life is just like this”, he blurted out. However, no one can say that so easily as him, since he lives such a lofty life that no ordinary people can achieve. Some people may owe this to good luck, which is not the case. Every single “good luck” opportunity should always be seized, grabbed and retained when one makes tough choices and then shape or re-shape himself.

Apparently, when achieving self-realization, Qingshun Zhu also devotes himself to helping more people to realize their own values with his capability and resources. It turns out to be true that, at the end of November 2016, the 21^st World Electronic Forum will be held in Singapore, to let the world know more about the great breakthrough and influence that technological innovation has on the electronic industry. Meanwhile, with the theme of “Transportation Technology”, the Singapore Electronic Science and Technology and Innovation Industry Chamber of Commerce will hold the CETI Asia exhibition, to show the relationship between technology and electronic industry in the future. This will construct a great interactive platform for small businesses around the world and provide the most cutting-edge technological resources, thus promoting the development of small businesses. This exhibition is accurately oriented, with a one-to-one service philosophy. Every year there is a mass of professional and large-scale electronic innovation exhibitions, while this CETI Asia exhibition invites 200 technological companies from all over the world. “We focus on precision rather than scale. So, companies are required to have their own innovative technology. ”Qingshun Zhu explained, “New technology cannot be resctricted to a totally new creation. We need to switch our mindset. If an outdated technology can be applied into other fields, then this is also innovation. We should draw inferences about other cases for instance.”

Similar to human race, electronic industry also should look forward and walk forward, and support and assistance are needed in the meanwhile. Qingshun Zhu said that, Singapore Electronic Science and Technology and Innovation Industry Chamber of Commerce will give strong assistance to technological innovative small businesses which are under the age of three, such as intermediary introducing service, assisting companies to find co-operations and promotion to cross-region markets. One-to-one confidentiality agreements will be signed in the meanwhile. In this process, there is no requirements and no charges for the companies. It is reported that the 21^st World Electronic Forum and the 1^st CETI Asia Exhibition will last for three days, being held from 30 November to 2 December 2016 in Singapore. This forum not only gains strong support from Singapore government, but also invites leading figures in this industry from all over the world. During the process, forums with themes of technology, innovation and investment will be held and an award ceremony will also be set up specially for undergraduates and small businesses. In the meantime, technologically mature innovative products such as purely green environmentally friendly hydrogen electric vehicles, flying cars, blue light projector and intelligence home will be shown. When talked about the technologically innovative products which will be exhibited, Qingshun Zhu was in great excitement, “Cars can really fly! Just as American movies! Now dream is not ideal at all. It’s true. It’s cool!” It vaguely seems to me that Qingshun Zhu is competing with his teammates, holding a beer bottle. This is so real that corresponds to his self-assessment, “Always be trusting, sincere and honest to everyone, and be gentle, smooth and tolerant to everything. This is how life is.”