A delegation of 33 students from 4 Swiss colleges including the University of Applied Sciences, Western Switzerland, led by Professor Claudio Boer and Stefan Dingerkus visited CDI. Dr. Guo Wanda, the Executive Vice President of CDI gave a lecture on “Chinese Economy and China’s Special Economic Zone: its Role for the Transformation of China”. The lecture consists of 4 parts: Chinese Economy in the Past, Chinese Economy in the Future, China’s SEZ and Shenzhen’s Role of SEZ for China’s Transformation. Dr. Guo also had an extensive discussion with the students on China’s plan economy, opening-up policy, household registration system (“hukou”), etc.

CDI was releasing its first joint research report in cooperation with Economic Strategy Institute (ESI), a Washington DC-based, private, non-profit, non-partisan public policy research organization. The report entitled "Industrial Policy and Rebalancing in the US and China" was released by Mr. Stephen Olson, Managing Director in ESI Asia, and Dr. Guo Wanda, Executive Vice President of CDI. The press conference was hosted by Mr. Tang Huijian, Chairman of Shenzhen Soft Science Development Foundation, which provided the sponsorship for the joint study. Ms. Carol Feng, Director of International Cooperation Department of CDI gave a brief introduction of the background of the project. Journalists from 22 domestic media participated in the press conference.

Mr. Olson and Mr. Guo elaborate the main structure and viewpoints of the report on the following four aspects: 1) How has the issue of imbalances contributed to the grindingly slow recovery from the Global Financial Crisis, and to what extent is it potentially setting the stage for future economic calamities of equal or greater magnitude? 2) What have been the respective approaches to industrial policy in both countries? 3)   How have these industrial policies helped fuel the build-up of dangerous imbalances? 4) What are the practical, “real world” adjustments that both countries need to make to their industrial policies in order to gradually and responsibly begin to reverse the imbalances?

Mr. Dominic Trindade, Australian Consul-general in Guangzhou, paid his first official visit to Shenzhen from June 11th to 12th and had a luncheon with CDI Executive Vice President Guo Wanda and Ms. Carol Feng, Director of International Cooperation Department. The Consul General planned this visit in order to renew and further develop the Australian Consulate’s relationship with the Shenzhen municipality and promote mutual development with CDI.

The China-Malaysia High-Level Economic Forum was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China on to boost bilateral relations into a comprehensive strategic partnership. Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, the Malaysian Prime Minister and Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, the International Trade and Industry Minister witnessed the exchange of documents to mark the signing of 11 business-to-business deals, which involves railway, national defense, finance and green resources. On Behalf of China Development Institute, Ms. Carol Feng, Director of International Cooperation Department, signed a MOU with the Asia Strategy and Leadership Institute, on establishing China-ASEAN think tank network.

Dr. Sanjin LEE, Director General of Bureau of Technical Barriers to Trade Affairs, Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energyand Mr. Choi Yeonwoo, Commercial Consul of Korean Consulate-General in Guangzhou visited CDI and was welcomed by Executive Vice President Guo Wanda, along with Ms. Carol Feng, Director of International Cooperation Department. Dr. Guo introduced China’s economic status quo and policies to the delegation. He also analyzed the driving forces and development mode of Shenzhen as a successful example among the SEZs. They also had a brief discussion on migrant workers, China’s Central and Western development strategy and industrial clusters, etc.

Shenzhen Financial Centre Summit was held in Bonn, Germany and Zurich, Switzerland from January 14th to 16th by China Development Institute (CDI), Shenzhen Stock Exchange and Shenzhen Ping An Bank. The Summit was aimed at showcasing the development achievements of Shenzhen through international exchanges. It covered a wide range of topics including the liberalization of finance sector and Chinese currency, bank reform and capital market, and the possible approach of China’s financial centers, etc. Experts from CDI gave speeches on economic status quo of China and Shenzhen City. Over 100 specialists from research institutes, universities, and financial institutions have participated in the discussions. The Shenzhen Financial Centre Summit is held in different financial centres around the world every year since 2010. Previous sessions have been convened in Paris, Washington, Toronto, Luxembourg, etc.

Prof. Mthuli Ncube, chief economist and vice president of the African Development Bank paid a visit in Shenzhen and had a roundtable discussion with Dr. Liu Guohong and Dr. Peng Jian, Deputy Directors of Regional Development Department, and Prof. Wang Kai, the CDI consultant. CDI research fellows shared their observations on the evolution of China’s Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and gave out a brief but comprehensive roadmap for developing industrial parks/zones in African countries.

Ms. Sonja Panday, Acting Program Manager of Canadian Embassy, Mr. Stephen Doust, Consul of Guangzhou Consulate General, and Mr. Charles Letang, Economic Officer of Hong Kong Consulate General paid a visit to CDI. Dr. Yu Lingqu from the Centre for Finance Research elaborated the financial policy measures that have been issued in Qianhai Area, and its innovative reforms in RMB internationalization. Both sides discussed the opportunities that may bring about to the Canadian business in Guangdong Province.

The 5th World Chinese Economic Forum was held on 3rd and 4th in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Dr. Guo Wanda, the Executive Vice President, made a presentation on the China’s Economy: Rebound in Short Run And its Growth Trend in Long Run.

The forum is co-sponsored by the Malaysian International Trade and Industry Ministry, the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute and the China International Trade Promotion Committee Liaison. Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Chai Xi have attended the Forum and made speeches. 500 representatives from government, business and academia have had extensive discussion on China’s partnership with the world. China-ASEAN relationship and issues related to education, finance service, and enterprise social responsibility.  

During the conference, Mr. Mahathir presented a “Supporting Organization Award of the World Chinese Economic Forum” to CDI.