On March 13, 2024, leaders of the International Expert Group for Shenzhen's Pilot Demonstration Zone visited the Institute of Area Studies, International Communication, and Global Affairs to provide guidance and engaged in extensive and in-depth discussions on Shenzhen's international development and construction. The participating experts included Liu Zhongpu, Full-time Member of the Shenzhen Municipal Policy Advisory Committee; Gu Ting, Full-time Vice President of the Shenzhen People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries; Qu Jian, Vice President of the China Development Institute; Feng Dechong, Full-time Vice Chairman of the Shenzhen Federation of Industry and Commerce; He Youtian, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of Pingshan District; Xiao Geng, Director of the Institute of Policy and Practice at the Higher Institute of Finance, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen; Wang Shouqun, Secretary-General of the Shenzhen Qianhai Belt and Road Legal Service Association; Huang Ying, Secretary-General of the Shenzhen Health Industry Development Promotion Association; Zhang Dachun, Executive Director of the Shenzhen Belt and Road Economic and Trade Strategy Research Institute; and Wang Guowen, Director of the Institute of Logistics and Supply Chain Management at the China Development Institute. The attendees from our institute included Dai Yonghong, Director of the Institute of Area Studies, International Communication, and Global Affairs at Shenzhen University; Xu Man, Executive Director; Sun Xiaoqi, Deputy Director; Li Jingcheng, Assistant to the Director; and Dr. Fu Le, Postdoctoral Researcher.

The meeting was hosted by President Gu Ting. Director Dai began by presenting a report on the internationalization construction and international communication research conducted by the Institute of Area Studies, International Communication, and Global Affairs (hereinafter referred to as "the Institute"). Director Dai pointed out that the Institute is currently a member of the Chinese Council of the BRICS Think-Tank Cooperation Network under the CPC International Liaison Department, a key research base for humanities and social sciences at ordinary universities in Guangdong Province, and the supporting unit of the Shenzhen University Center for Chinese Overseas Interests Research, a key research base for humanities and social sciences in Shenzhen. "Internationalization and local collaboration in university-city construction are one of our important tasks. In recent years, we have signed joint training programs with many prestigious universities both at home and abroad, and have contributed our wisdom and strength to national and local governments in terms of localized research and practice in international communication."

During the meeting, the expert group engaged in lively and productive discussions on ideas for international development. Commissioner Liu Zhongpu believed that small and medium-sized enterprises should be encouraged to participate in international technology exhibitions to give more enterprises the opportunity to engage with the world. President Gu Ting emphasized that for enterprises to go global, issues such as funding, market access, and talent need to be addressed, and targeted research should be conducted for each issue. Vice President Qu Jian pointed out, "The internationalization of Shenzhen's state-owned enterprises is a key focus of our work. Many countries are concerned about how our special economic zones were built, and there are many successful experiences contained therein that are worth sharing with the world." Director Xiao Geng innovatively proposed mechanisms and pathways for international exchanges between Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Secretary-General Wang Shouqun shared the necessity of establishing a public legal service system overseas. Director Zhang Dachun believed that for enterprises to go global, new drivers of foreign trade should be cultivated to enhance new types of productive forces. Director Wang Guowen put forward constructive proposals for Shenzhen to build a global logistics center connecting the hinterland with overseas markets. Director He Youtian offered his suggestions on how wastewater treatment can empower the new energy industry. Additionally, Deputy Director Sun Xiaoqi from our institute shared the overseas development situation of the new energy industry.

The successful convening of this meeting not only provided important guidance and support for the internationalization development of our institute but also injected new momentum and vitality into Shenzhen's internationalization efforts. With the guidance and support of the expert group, we are confident that our institute's internationalization construction and international communication research and practice will achieve more remarkable results, contributing more wisdom and strength to "Shenzhen Experience, Global Governance, Special Economic Zone Stories, Global Communication"!