Mr. Stephen Olson, Managing Director of Economic Strategy Institute visited CDI and discussed with Ms. Carol Feng, Director of International Cooperation Department on developing cooperative relationships by initiating international conferences, conducting joint studies, and strengthening personnel exchanges between both sides.  

Mr. Weldon Epp, the newly appointed Consul General of Canadian Consulate-General Guangzhou paid a visit to CDI. Dr. Guo Wanda, Executive Vice President made an introduction about the general development in South China. The Consul General briefed current cooperative projects between South China and Canada and expressed his interest and willingness on exploring ties between CDI and Canadian research institutions.

Mr. Avraham Nir, Consul General of Israel paid a visit to CDI. Dr. Guo Wanda, Executive Vice President and Carol Feng, Director of International Cooperation Department had an extensive discussion with the guests on issues like low carbon development, migrant workers, food safety, industrial upgrading, etc. Both sides reached a consensus on building  between CDI and Israeli think tanks.

Officials from the Ministry of Finance, the Republic of Ghana, and representatives from China Geo-engineering Corporation visited CDI. Dr. Guo Wanda, Executive Vice President and Dr. Wang Mei introduced the economic evolution of Shenzhen and shared experiences on urban planning and management, as well as fund raising mechanism.  

The Delegation from University of Applied Science of Southern Switzerland has visited CDI. Dr. Guo Wanda, CDI’s Executive Vice President gave a lecture on “China's Special Economic Zone (SEZ): its Role for the Transformation of China”. He elaborated the evolution and status quo of China SEZ. Shenzhen was quoted as a successful example of SEZ, which is now a financial centre and hi-tech centre in China. Still, challenges should be observed during the economic transformation in the following development of SEZ.  

Mr. Graham Nelson, Consul Political & Economic of British Consulate-General Guangzhou visited CDI and had a discussion with Executive Vice President Dr. Guo Wanda on development planning of Qianhai Bay modern service industries cooperation zone and progress of Pan-pearl River Delta cooperation. Other issues like the SME business plight, RMB appreciation and Shenzhen’s capital market were also covered. 

Dr. Paola Subacchi, Research Director of International Economics, Chatham House (The Royal Institute of International Affairs) visited CDI discussing the possibility of cooperation with Dr. Guo Wanda,  Executive Vice President and Ms. Carol Feng, Director of International Cooperation Department. Dr. Guo introduced the development of Shenzhen finance industry and its cooperation with Hong Kong. After meeting, Ms. Subacchi has visited Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industries Cooperation Zone and the CBD of Shenzhen.

On 18th-19th May, 2011, the 6th Pan-Beibu Gulf Economic Cooperation Forum was held in Nanning, Guangxi Autonomous Region of China. The Forum is themed at the Progress of China-ASEAN Free Trade Area & Pan-Beibu Gulf Economic Cooperation with 3 Parallel Sessions: 1)Think Tank Summit: Regional connection and cross-border cooperation; 2)Cross-border trading and investment, finance cooperation; 3)Tourism cooperation in Pan-Beibu Gulf Region.

As the Intellectual Supporting Organization, CDI invited think tanks of the Pan-Beibu Gulf Region and ASEAN countries, including China, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippine, Thailand and Indonesia to discuss about regional connectivity and cross-border cooperation in “Think Tank Summit of Pan-Beibu Gulf Region”. “Pan-beibu Gulf Think Tank Memorandum on Joint Research Mechanism” was signed by 11 organizations to establish membership mechanism among think tanks in this region.

Edward Clarence-Smith, Representative and Head of UNIDO Regional Office, and Liang Dan, Senior Technical Advisor on Investment and Technology Promotion Visited CDI discussing the possibility of cooperation with Dr. Guo Wanda, Vice Executive President and Dr. Zhang Jiansen, Director of Finance Studies, Ms. Carol Feng, Director of International Cooperation Department.

Mr. Chong Chan Yau, Chairman of Carbon Care Asia Co(CCA), Dr. Trini Leung, Executive Director of CCA visited CDI and discussed with CDI leaders and department heads on further cooperation on low carbon research and training programs. Headquartered in Hong Kong, CCA operates as a social enterprise for the mission of mitigating climate change through driving innovative market solutions to build a new low carbon economy. CCA provides services to corporations and institutions to measure, reduce, offset and communicate carbon emissions.