On December 2, CPIFA Vice President Zou Xiaoli attended the closing press conference of the 2025 Understanding China Conference in Guangzhou. 

Zou stated that the scale of foreign participation in this year’s conference reached a new high. More than 200 international guests from 72 countries and regions attended the conference, including nine former presidents and prime ministers, over ten former ministers, and a large number of renowned figures from the political, academic, business, and media circles around the world. Nearly 60 interviews with former political leaders were conducted during the conference. The conference drew wide attention and yielded results that exceeded expectations.

Zou said foreign participants shared their observations and expectations regarding China’s development, the Chinese path, and China’s solutions under the theme—“New Plan, New Development, New Choices—Chinese Modernization and New Vision for Global Governance” . They spoke highly of the “new paradigm”, and believed that Chinese modernization provides high reference and a new choice for the modernization of Global South countries. They discussed the “new dynamism”, and hoped to see China achieve greater success during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, and lend new impetus to global economic growth. Recognizing China’s new efforts in meeting its responsibility, foreign participants applauded the Global Governance Initiative and other proposals China put forward, and believed they helped guide global cooperation back onto the right track. They also commended the “new vitality”, as they saw in Guangzhou a city fusing classic charm with contemporary vitality, a showcase for a China that is open, innovative, and inclusive.

Zou also thanked the media reporters covering the conference for their hard work, and contributions to the cause of understanding China and people-to-people diplomacy.

Xu Weixin, President of the China Institute for Innovation & Development Strategy (CIIDS), attended the press conference and briefed the media on the key outcomes of the event. CIIDS Vice President Feng Wei moderated the press conference.