Chen Siqi

vankochensq@163.com

THE 2023 Understanding China Conference in Guangzhou gathered more than 600 participants at the Guangzhou Yuexiu International Congress Center in Yuexiu District, Guangzhou.

This enriching three-day event, which commenced Friday, has brought together a variety of participants from home and abroad, including politicians, officials, experts, entrepreneurs, foreign envoys, and representatives from international organizations and multinational companies.

Under the theme “China’s Endeavors and Unprecedented Global Changes — Expanding the Convergence of Interests and Building a Community With a Shared Future,” the event aims to provide a platform for the world to understand China. More than 10 parallel forums and seminars, and a series of supporting events have been taking place after the opening ceremony.

International attendees were immersed in discussions and exchanges focusing on various aspects of China, including its modernization, civilization, commitment to the comprehensive deepening of reform, high-quality national development, high-level opening up, and the further development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

The event is co-hosted by the China Institute for Innovation and Development Strategy, the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs, and the Guangdong Provincial Government, and is organized by the Guangzhou Municipal Government.

Zheng Bijian, founding chairman of China Institute for Innovation & Development Strategy (CIIDS), said it has been 10 years since the first Understanding China Conference was held.

“We initiated the Understanding China Conference’s commitment to three key understandings: comprehending China, understanding the world, and grasping the world’s unseen changes within the century,” Zheng said.

“If the conference can help the world understand China and the Communist Party of China more effectively, while at the same time help China understand the world and the profound change of the world more effectively, then, through persistent effort, we can mitigate the understanding deficit,” he said.