Singaporean ambassador to China, Stanley Loh, said that Singapore and China have both differences in similarity and similarities in differences. Although they are separate countries, they share many common cultural characteristics because of shared ancestors.
When talking about the important role culture plays in the exchanges between different countries, the ambassador said that food is very important.
The famous Hawker Centre in Singapore, in the ambassador's eyes, is a common public space for different ethnic groups and even Singaporeans of different income groups to mix.
"Whether you're a millionaire or a daily-waged worker, you will go to the same Hawker Centre and queue up at the same store to buy the same wonton noodles," said the ambassador.
"Food helps to promote cultural sensitivity and mutual understanding, and it can help avoid misunderstandings," he said.