According to the important principles of the Meeting on People-to-People Diplomacy set forth at the Foreign Affairs Committee of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, guidance should be offered to national industry associations and chambers of commerce decoupled from administrative organs in Beijing to proactively engage in Beijing’s people-to-people diplomacy endeavor, serve the country’s overall diplomacy and high-quality development of the capital, and further facilitate localized management and services for foreign affairs. In alignment with these objectives, the 2024 Training Program on Integrated Foreign Service for Industry Associations and Chambers of Commerce Decoupled from Administrative Organs was held in the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center (BMC). This program brought together persons in charge of foreign affairs from 100 industry associations and chambers of commerce decoupled from administrative organs.

Group 1 Visits the BMC Planning Exhibition Hall

The training focused on the facilitation of the country’s overall diplomacy, participation in global governance, and foreign affairs management among industry associations and chambers of commerce decoupled from administrative organs. Participants engaged in field trips to investigate the development of key industries in the BMC and unanimously acclaimed the well-structured, practical, effective, and operationally focused lectures.

Valuable tips on serving the country’s overall diplomacy and participating in global governance

Lecture by Wang Ke, Deputy Secretary General of the China NGO Network for International Exchanges of International Department of the CPC Central Committee

The training featured a series of topics including detailed discussions on how to support the country’s comprehensive diplomatic efforts and engage in global governance, and strategies for foreign exchange and international communication. During the training, thorough analyses of typical cases, and summaries of successful experiences and objective laws of development were also provided. Participants from industry associations and chambers of commerce gained greater confidence to tell China’s story, brimming with enthusiasm for entrepreneurship and sense of responsibility and mission to contribute to the people-to-people diplomacy in the new era.

Efficient methods of foreign affairs management for industry associations and  chambers of commerce

Lecture by Zhou Xinyu, Professor of Beijing Foreign Studies University

The training presented the requirements of the central government for managing foreign affairs in decoupled industry associations and chambers of commerce. During a policy briefing on key concerns for these entities including organizing international conferences in China, the Guidelines for the Management of Foreign Affairs and Hong Kong and Macao Affairs for Industry Associations and Chambers of Commerce in Beijing were distributed to the participants to facilitate their efforts in relevant areas.

Opportunities to serve the capital’s high-quality development

Lecture by Huang Haoming, Honorary Chairman of the China Association for NGO Cooperation

The officials from Tongzhou District gave an overview of the BMC and the development of its key industries. The representatives from industry associations and chambers of commerce visited key industrial parks and enterprises in areas such as business services, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and modern agriculture. During these visits, some of the participants expressed their readiness to cooperate with relevant departments of Tongzhou District on promoting the BMC, encouraging member enterprises to move into the parks and apply for demonstration projects, among other matters.

Introduction to the BMC by Wu Tao, Vice Chairman of Tongzhou District Committee of the CPPCC and Director of Investment Promotion Service Center of Tongzhou District

Feedbacks of Trainees

The training courses on the participation of social organizations in global governance, country studies, and foreign affairs management were impressive and of great significance to international communication of the associations, according to Yang Lianzi, Vice Chairman of China Association for Promoting International Economic & Technical Cooperation.

Group 2 Visits Beijing Institute of Future Design

According to Xu Fangfang, Assistant to President of the China Association for Promoting UN Procurement, the diversified and global perspectives of the training courses enable industry associations and chambers of commerce to better understand global changes and recognize the strategic significance of people-to-people diplomacy.

Group 3 Visits Gan & Lee Pharmaceuticals in the BMC

Group 4 Visits JD Plant Factory

Zhu Li, Director of General Department of China Association of Electronics Equipments for Technology Development, believed that the training has deepened her understanding of foreign affairs and further clarified the positioning and goals of associations’ work on foreign affairs, which is an important impetus to both personal growth and organizational development.