On November 2nd, Mr. Bengt Johansson, Founder of New Context AB and former Swedish Consul-General in Shanghai paid a visit to CDI and exchanged views with Ms. Feng Yueqiu, Director of International Cooperation Department and Ms. Yu Jun, Researcher at CDI. Mr. Bengt Johansson who was also Swedish Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Ambassador, has been dedicated to CSR research and teaching for many years. Based on the specific cases, the two parties discussed how to launch projects of research and consultation on CSR in the future.

On October 23, Mr. David Hartman, Executive Director of Greater China Division, Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada paid a visit to CDI and had a discussion on Shenzhen’s economic development with Ms. Feng Yueqiu, Director of International Cooperation Department and Dr. Liu Guohong, Deputy Director of Finance and Modern Industry Research Center. Dr. Liu mainly elaborated on Shenzhen’s economic strategy adjusted to China’s “new normal”, features of Qianhai & Shekou Area of China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone and Shenzhen’s industrial upgrading.

On October 14, a field study team headed by Dr. Lin Huihuang from Institute of Public Policy of South China University of Technology (SCUT) and Dr. Wang Ou from School of Public Administration of SCUT visited to learn about the operating model of CDI, a successful think tank. Mr. Liu Rui, Assistant to the President, Ms. Feng Yueqiu, Director of International Cooperation Department and Mr. Zheng Yujie, Director of IT Department met with the research team. Mr. Zheng Yujie introduced development course, research and consultation, and management mechanism about CDI. The research fellows hold that our successful experience was worth learning for the building of new types of think tanks in China.

On September 26, Mr. David Morris, Trade Commissioner of Pacific Islands Trade & Invest, visited CDI and exchanged views with Ms. Feng Yueqiu, Director of International Cooperation Department. Director Feng Yueqiu briefed the delegation about the history, research and consultation, exchanges, and operation mechanisms of CDI. The two parties agreed on research & consultation cooperation and academic exchanges to promote China’s trade, investment and tourism ties with 14 Pacific Island countries.

On August 26, Korean Delegation from Gyeonggi-do led by Lim, Hae Kyu, President of Gyeonggi Research Institute (GRI) visited CDI, and the two think tanks signed a co-operation agreement. To begin with, President Lim and Executive Vice President Guo Wanda made thorough introductions about the two institutes respectively and Cui Xiande, Head of Gyeonggi-do Provincial Department of Economy, and Li Luoli, Vice Director-General of CDI briefed development of Gyeonggi-do and Shenzhen. Based on that, the two sides explored collaboration potentials in high-tech industry and think tank development and signed a cooperation agreement to realize the pragmatic collaboration.

Mr. Matt Perrement, British Consul in Guangzhou for political and economic affairs, visited CDI and met Dr. Guo Wanda, Executive Vice President of the institute and Ms. Feng Yueqiu, Director of International Cooperation Department. Dr. Guo Wanda Briefed the background and priorities of promoting development of eastern, western and northern area in Guangdong, and mainly analyzed the role of government in the course of city transformation and upgrading, e.g. strengthening construction of infrastructure and public services, creating fair and honest business environment, developing rational city planning and effective market supervision. Dr. Guo Wanda indicated that Guangdong would actively participate in construction of “One Belt and One Road”, integrate logistics hub of “Grand Bay Area of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao”, Free Trade Zones (FTZs) in Guangdong and cross-border trade of e-commerce.

Mr. Chris Yost, Australian Consul in Guangzhou for political and economic affairs, visited CDI and met with Dr. Zhang Jiansen, Director of Finance and Modern Industry Research Center, Dr. Yu Lingqu, whose research focuses on financial industry, and Ms. Feng Yueqiu, Director of International Cooperation Department. The interview intention was to grasp the full picture about status quo of China’s securities market. With the emphasis on Shenzhen securities market, Dr. Zhang explained its difference with its counterpart in Shanghai and its relation with Hong Kong stock market. Dr. Zhang held that considering its active capital flow and high level opening up, Shenzhen securities market still has huge development potential, while government shall play a better role as a regulator to promote its marketization. From a micro perspective, Dr. Yu illustrated the growth momentum with specific data and operation mechanism of Shenzhen stock market.

EMBA student delegation from management school of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI) paid a visit to CDI for a lecture on Shenzhen Special Economic Zone presented by Dr. Guo Wanda, Executive Vice President of the institute and met with Dr. Zhang Jiansen, Director of Finance and Modern Industry Research Center and Ms. Feng Yueqiu, Director of International Cooperation Department. Ms. Feng first briefly introduced CDI in terms of the establishment purpose, research and consultation focus, and academic exchange. Dr. Guo gave the students a presentation centered on Shenzhen Special Economic Zone and China’s New Normal. He clearly demonstrated Shenzhen’s economic miracle, innovation in hi-tech industry and financial sector, and the macroeconomic background of China’s new normal. In the end, Dr. Zhang and Dr. Guo answered students’ questions and exchanged views with them.

Dr. Geoffrey T.M. Chow from Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne Australia visited CDI. Ms. Feng Yueqiu, Director of International Cooperation Department, introduced Development course, research focus, consultation projects, and academic exchange. With an in-depth discussion on how to conduct collaboration, they reached a tentative agreement on holding a Shenzhen promotion seminar to enhance inter-city cooperation between Shenzhen and Melbourne.

Dr. Yose Rizal Damuri, Head of Department of Economics, Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), and his colleague Dr. David Christian paid a visit in CDI. Dr. Liu Guohong, Deputy Director of CDI Centre for Finance and Modern Industry Research and the research fellow Dr. Yu Lingqu met with the guests. Dr. Liu reviewed the development history of Shenzhen as China’s first Special Economic Zone, and outlined the achievements Shenzhen has made and its successful experiences since it was established 35 years ago. He also made a detailed introduction on the institutional arrangement and financial innovation in Shenzhen.