Adjusting to Life and Work in China
Moving to China was a significant personal and professional adjustment. One of the biggest challenges was the language barrier.
“One of the biggest changes is that I have to speak and write in Mandarin… In Singapore, English is still the official language, and even though I am bilingual, I didn’t use Mandarin as much in a professional setting. But here in China, everything has to be in Chinese.”
Initially, she relied on translation tools to assist with emails and document reviews. “Since all documents were in Chinese, I couldn't always finish reading them in the office. I had to spend more time catching up over the weekend or at night.”
Her ability to adapt to China’s linguistic and cultural landscape played a crucial role in her success. Today, as Deputy General Manager of Ping An Fund Management Co. Ltd., she manages a complex portfolio of responsibilities.
A Day in the Life of a Deputy General Manager
As Deputy General Manager of Ping An Fund Management Co., Ltd., Jasmine Lim takes on multiple responsibilities. “I oversee finance, operations, and IT. In short, I’m the CFO, COO, and now also overseeing international business,” she explains.
Her workdays are structured yet demanding. She wakes up at 6:00 AM and arrives at the office by 7:30 AM, an hour before official working hours begin. “I like to be the first in the office when everything is quiet. It gives me time to catch up on news, review industry updates, and prepare for the day ahead,” she shares.
She keeps herself informed by reading both English and Chinese financial news, ensuring she stays updated on global markets.
The official working hours are from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, but working beyond these hours is common. Jasmine mentions that the work culture in China’s financial sector is fast-paced, with long hours being the norm. Most employees leave the office around 6:30 PM or later.
Her days are usually filled with meetings, such as regular discussions with the IT team to track system developments, finance and operations teams to assess performance and regulatory compliance, and other ad-hoc meetings to review new fund launches and industry updates. Each day involves analysing data, providing insights, and making strategic decisions.