On the afternoon of January 18, a meeting was held by the Office of Foreign Affairs Committee of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee and the Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Beijing Municipality. The purpose is to study and implement the guiding principles set forth at the Central Foreign Affairs Work Conference, review Beijing's work on foreign affairs and Hong Kong and Macao affairs in 2023, and outline the key tasks for 2024. Xiong Jiuling, Director General of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, Secretary of the Leading Party Members' Group and Director General of the Foreign Affairs Office (Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office) of the People's Government of Beijing Municipality, delivered a speech, providing guidance and instructions for the upcoming work.
As pointed out in the meeting
The year 2023 marked the beginning of implementing the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress on all fronts, as well as the first year for economic recovery after China downgraded the COVID-19 management that had been enforced for three years. Under the strong leadership of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee and the Beijing Municipal Government, the Office of Foreign Affairs Committee of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee and Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Beijing Municipality has accurately grasped the new characteristics and patterns of offline international exchanges and strives to resume and promote foreign exchanges and cooperation. With a focus on enhancing Beijing's role as a center for international exchanges, the comprehensive service system for head-of-state diplomacy has been improved. This has led to successful service support for the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF). Measures have been developed to enable the work on foreign affairs and Hong Kong and Macao affairs to better support the capital's high-quality economic growth. As part of this effort, a total of 336 relevant events attended by municipal leaders have been arranged, up by 45% from 2019, including the Fifth Plenary Session of Hong Kong/Beijing Co-operation Conference and the first meeting of the Beijing-Macao Cooperation Conference. Encouraging progress can be seen in various areas, such as the ever-improving foreign-related management and services, and the Party's intensified leadership in foreign affairs work.
As required by the meeting
To ensure the success of the work on foreign affairs and Hong Kong and Macao affairs this year, it is crucial to consolidate the foundation for foreign exchange by staying committed to the main work and tasks as well as the priority of improving Beijing's role as a center for international exchanges. It is also imperative to unleash the driving force for progress, approach traditional tasks with new ideas and break new ground. Efforts will be intensified to establish the new while abolishing the old, to ensure efficient and smooth transitions. Officials should take the initiative to act as qualified policy executors, to lay a solid groundwork, make thorough preparations, innovate working methods, enhance coordination, and push for concrete actions.
As stressed in the meeting
The year 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 10th anniversary of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech concerning Beijing made on February 26, 2014. Therefore, it holds great significance to ensure the success of the work on foreign affairs and Hong Kong and Macao affairs. To this end, eight areas will be prioritized. First, studying and implementing the guiding principles set forth at the Central Foreign Affairs Work Conference. Second, serving the overall foreign affairs work of the Party and the country. All-out efforts will be made to ensure the success of major state events and support the country's endeavors to build a global network of partnerships. Third, facilitating Beijing's high-quality development. Actions will be taken to attract more investment to the city by leveraging the channels created in foreign affairs and Hong Kong and Macao affairs. Fourth, building a center for international exchanges up to high standards. Progress will be accelerated in developing facilities for major international events, quality venues with distinctive features for diplomatic activities, and a more internationalized environment. Fifth, promoting city diplomacy and people-to-people diplomacy. Continuous efforts will be made to consolidate and expand Beijing's international network of friends. The mechanism will be refined for the Party to govern people-to-people diplomacy and encourage greater social participation. Sixth, upgrading the work on Hong Kong and Macao affairs. The 27th Beijing-Hong Kong Economic Cooperation Symposium and the Beijing-Macao Cooperation Partnership 2024 will be well organized. Seventh, enhancing foreign affairs management and services. Official visits will be subject to more centralized management. A sound overseas interest protection and early warning system will be developed. Eighth, strengthening the building of divisions and the development of officials. Institutional reform will be pushed forward in a steady and orderly manner to cultivate foreign affairs officials with steadfast loyalty.
Members of the leadership group, division chiefs and staff, and leaders of affliated public institutions of the Office of Foreign Affairs Committee of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee and Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Beijing Municipality attended the meeting.
