The 2024 Understanding China Conference will take place in Guangzhou from December 2 to 4, with the theme "Carry through the reform to the end - Chinese modernization and new opportunities for world development." The announcement was made at a press conference on November 27 in Beijing.
Xu Weixin, Chairman of the China Institute for Innovation and Development Strategy, revealed that the event will feature over 600 participants, including politicians, scholars, diplomats, and media representatives from around the world.
Among the confirmed attendees are nine former heads of state or government, including former Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome, former Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel, and former Belgian PM Yves Leterme.
The conference will include an opening ceremony, keynote speeches, panel discussions, six parallel seminars, and fourteen thematic forums. The events are all open to the media, except for two closed-door meetings.
According to Xu, key discussion topics will include the global significance of China's deepening reform and modernization and how China's latest innovations can help boost the global economy. The conference will also emphasize the importance of cultural exchanges and the promotion of Chinese heritage.
Additionally, this year's conference will spotlight the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area, highlighting its economic vitality and potential as a key driver of China's modernization efforts.
Xu stated that, in light of global instability, China remains a stabilizing force and that the conference will promote dialogue to foster mutual understanding and global cooperation, showcasing China's commitment to shared human progress.