Understanding China Guangzhou Conference, co-hosted by the China Institute for Innovation & Development Strategy, the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs (CPIFA), the People’s Government of Guangdong Province, the 21st Century Council, and organized by the People’s Government of Guangzhou Municipality, was successfully held from October 25 to 27 in Guangzhou. On Oct. 25, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with foreign representatives and took a photo with them in Beijing. On Oct. 26, Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the conference. Huang Kunming, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of CPC Central Committee, attended the opening ceremony, read out President Xi’s congratulatory letter and delivered opening remarks. Li Xi, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and the Secretary of CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee, made a keynote speech. Wang Chao, President of the CPIFA, chaired a speech session and delivered closing remarks. Li Huilai, Vice President of CPIFA, attended the conference.

About 600 renowned guests from political, business and academic circles all over the world participated in the conference. Among them, there are about 30 well-known politicians, strategists, scholars, entrepreneurs from Europe, America, countries surrounding China and developing countries, including Ernesto Zedillo, former President of Mexico, Rosen Asenov Plevneliev, former President of Bulgaria, Ivo Josipovic, former President of Croatia, Valdis Zatlers, former President of Latvia, Yves Leterme, former Prime Minister of Belgium, George Papandreou, former Prime Minister of Greece, Mario Monti, former Prime Minister of Italy and Shaukat Aziz, former Prime Minister of Pakistan. Besides, some representatives from international organizations, transnational corporations, some foreign youngsters, foreign diplomats and some leading members from Chinese ministries, commissions and local governments also participated in the conference.

The theme of this year’s conference is “New Globalization and China’s New Round of Reform and Opening-Up”. Besides keynote speeches, there are also 8 parallel sessions around the themes of “World Economy and China’s Economic Outlook”, “‘Belt and Road Initiative’ and Industrial Cooperation”, “Building a Business Environment for Fair Competition”, “Bay Area Mayor’ Roundtable”, “Digital Economy and New Prospect for Global Cooperation”, “China’s Financial Opening-up and Global Financial Markets”, “Cultural Bay Area and Urban Quality”, “Modernization of National Governance System and Governance Capacity - Cultural Innovation and Building of International Communication Capabilities”. Anseminar on US-China relations was also held during the conference. About 20 guests from home and abroad had a candid and in-depth exchange of views.