打造标志性成果 实现突破性进展 努力在现代化新重庆建设中展现外事新作为

王雯

3月，重庆市委书记、市委外事工作委员会主任袁家军主持召开六届市委外事工作委员会第一次会议。袁家军强调，要深入学习贯彻党的二十大精神，深学笃行***外交思想，服务国家总体外交，服务国家重大战略，服务开放型经济发展，加快建设中西部国际交往中心，坚持谋深做实、久久为功，不断提升重庆吸引力、影响力、关注度、美誉度，努力在现代化新重庆建设中展现外事新作为，更好助力加快建设内陆开放高地。

刚刚过去的2023年，全市外事工作以***新时代中国特色社会主义思想为指导，深入学习贯彻党的二十大精神，聚焦服务国家总体外交、服务国家重大战略、服务开放型经济发展、加快建设中西部国际交往中心战略目标，打造系列具有重庆辨识度的外事工作标志性成果，在建设现代化新重庆中展现外事新作为。

坚持政治引领，把牢外事工作正确方向。我们始终把加强党对外事工作的集中统一领导作为做好外事工作的根本保證，确保新形势下全市外事工作始终沿着***总书记指引的方向前进；坚持深学笃用***外交思想，扎实推动主题教育彰显“红岩味”，一体推进理论学习、调查研究、推动发展、检视整改；锚定“三服务一中心”战略目标，构建完善“四梁八柱”，推进落实重点任务，以大外事服务大开放、促进大发展。

立足资源禀赋，全力服务保障大国外交。我们在服务元首外交中作出重庆贡献，纪念史迪威将军诞辰140周年系列活动等9项国际交流合作事项纳入***主席外交活动内容。我们在服务主场外交中彰显重庆价值，参加第三届“一带一路”国际合作高峰论坛，宣介智能化建设与城市治理经验，推动西部陆海新通道和“一带一路”科技交流大会纳入高质量共建“一带一路”的“八项行动”。我们在服务全球倡议中展现重庆担当，与斯里兰卡、尼泊尔合作实施“活力乡村”建设等“小而美”民生项目，分别纳入中国与斯、尼两国联合声明，面向多个上合组织国家开展减贫培训，持续推动国际脱贫减贫事业向前发展。

发挥特色优势，助力国家战略加强国际合作。我们深入推动成渝地区双城经济圈建设国际合作，推动智博会、西洽会、西博会等国际展会平台共建、资源共享，持续提升“双圈”国际影响力。联合举办2023年中国川渝地区—湄公河国家地方合作论坛，进一步深化“同饮一江水，命运紧相连”的澜湄共同体意识。我们持续推动共建西部陆海新通道，成功举办2023年“一带一路”陆海联动发展论坛等高层级国际会议论坛，更好链接东盟、融入全球。发起成立西部陆海新通道智库联盟，为西部陆海新通道高质量发展提供智力支持。举办驻华使节陆海新通道行活动，持续深化通道沿线国家经贸、人文等领域交流合作。我们合力推动中新（重庆）战略性互联互通示范项目建设，袁家军书记率中共代表团访问新加坡，推动在渝西地区创新打造枢纽港产业园和生命科技城等实体化合作项目，挖掘中新合作新增长点。举办中新项目联合协调理事会第七次会议、“新加坡·重庆周”等活动，不断提升合作共建水平。

推动开放合作，助推全市开放型经济发展。我们着力推动外事外贸外资外经联动发展，高水平筹办“一带一路”科技交流大会等11场重要涉外展会活动，***主席分别向智博会和“一带一路”科技交流大会致贺信。我们积极推动“请进来”，集中组织3批外国驻华使节团来渝参访，全年超过115名副部长级以上重要外宾来渝访问，达成系列合作共识。围绕打造“33618”现代制造业集群体系，推动巴斯夫、康宁、苏伊士等多家世界500强企业高管来渝访问，促成三安意法碳化硅合作合资项目等重大外资项目落地。我们大力支持企业“走出去”，实施“百团千企”国际市场开拓计划，成功举办2023中拉数字经济论坛，执“数智”之笔共同擘画中拉数字经济绚丽画卷，持续拓展“渝车出海”国际市场覆盖面。我们广泛搭建经贸交流合作平台，在32个国家和地区组织开展经贸推介活动，广泛宣传新重庆新机遇。建立渝港高层合作会议机制，在经贸、金融等11个领域开展务实合作，持续巩固香港作为重庆最大外资来源地和第三大贸易伙伴地位。

持续提质增效，加快建设中西部国际交往中心。我们迭代升级规划设计，重塑中西部国际交往中心建设体系，增设8个专项工作组，明确未来五年重点任务、工作目标、职责分工，实行清单管理、闭环落实。我们积极培育打造国际交流平台，墨西哥决定来渝设立领事馆，中越联合声明明确支持越方在重庆设立总领馆，推动在墨西哥共建拉美地区首个“鲁班工坊”，俄罗斯柴可夫斯基音乐学院来渝联合办学，助力重庆获评联合国教科文组织授予的全球“设计之都”称号，重庆与世界交流的桥梁越走越宽广。我们努力推动友城量质齐升，完成市对外友协理事会换届，统筹130家理事单位开展民间交往。新增10个友城或友好交流城市，国际“朋友圈”越来越大。办好重庆与西雅图结好40周年等“逢五逢十”结好周年庆祝活动，友城合作“交汇点”越做越实。我们深入实施民心相通项目，我市组派援巴布亚新几内亚、巴巴多斯医疗队累计诊治当地患者超16.5万人次，引发中外媒体广泛报道；累计实施市长奖学金丝路项目60余个，为“一带一路”沿线国家培育人才2000余名。支持推动铜梁龙舞等重庆文化精品亮相国际舞台。组织440名中俄代表团运动员走进9所中小学开展特色文体活动。我们广泛开展国际传播，推动成立西部国际传播中心，创新打造“@重庆@世界”外事活动品牌，开展6场主题活动，生动宣介党的二十大精神和中国式现代化重庆实践。“电视中国剧场”在墨西哥、哥伦比亚启动。47个国家200余名外国媒体记者来渝采访报道，重庆高质量发展的精彩故事广受赞誉。

深入变革重塑，持续提升外事管理服务水平。我们始终践行外事为民理念，用心用力用情维护海外同胞利益。集中开展为期一个月的“领保护航·‘渝’你同行”海外领事保护宣传活动，妥善应对全球系列紧急事态，及时发布安全提醒，撤离高风险地区侨民，坚决维护海外重庆市民和机构的安全与合法权益。我们不断优化外事治理，持续精简领事认证、APEC商务旅行卡、护照、签证等外事业务办理流程，平均压缩时限近50%。依托数字化改革，持续推进“一站式”办理，在九龙坡区开展APEC商务旅行卡协办服务站试点工作，不断增强人民群众的获得感。我们持续提升在渝外籍人士便利化水平，邀请外国领馆、涉外机构及企业代表走进重庆涉外窗口平台，共同完善提升国际化法治环境、政务服务环境、生活环境等方面举措，持续优化外商投资环境。

新重慶建设蹄疾步稳，大外事发展势头正劲。新的一年，全市外事系统将深入贯彻落实党的二十大精神和中央外事工作会议精神，按照市委六届四次全会要求，围绕高质量发展主题，胸怀“国之大者”，以更宏阔视野、更有力行动，笃定服务国家总体外交、服务国家重大战略、服务开放型经济发展、加快建设中西部国际交往中心战略目标，踔厉奋发、笃行不怠，不断开创全市外事港澳友协工作新局面，为现代化新重庆建设作出新的更大贡献。

In promoting Chongqing’s foreign affairs work in 2023， we followed the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era， studied and implemented the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress， and focused on our strategic objective of serving China’s overall diplomatic endeavor， national strategies， and open economy and moving faster towards the Center for International Exchanges in Central and Western China， namely the “Three Services and One Center”. With commitment and dedication， we have made a series of landmark advances with unique “Chongqing characteristics” in foreign affairs work and delivered new accomplishments in building the Modernized New Chongqing.

Upholding Political Guidance and Keeping to the Right Direction of Foreign Affairs Work

We have firmly strengthened the Party’s centralized， unified leadership over foreign affairs and made it the fundamental guarantee for our work. We have ensured that， under new conditions， Chongqing’s foreign affairs work followed the direction pointed out by General Secretary Xi Jinping.

We have studied and put into practice Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy and made concrete efforts to launch education programs while carrying forward the Hongyan Revolutionary Spirit. Combined efforts have been made to advance theoretical study， research， development， and rectification.

We have established the main pillars of foreign affairs with a focus on the strategic objective of “Three Services and One Center”. We have seen through the implementation of key tasks and promoted opening up and development through foreign affairs services.

Supporting Major-Country Diplomacy by Leveraging Our Resources

We have contributed Chongqing’s share to serving head-of-state diplomacy. Nine events of international exchanges and cooperation were included in the diplomatic agenda of President Xi Jinping， such as the Commemorating Events for the 140th Birth Anniversary of General Joseph Stilwell.

We have fulfilled Chongqing’s role in serving diplomatic events hosted by China. Chongqing attended the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation and shared its experience in the application of smart technologies and urban governance. We facilitated the inclusion of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor （ILSTC） and the Belt and Road Conference on Science and Technology Exchange （BRST） into the eight major steps China will take to support the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

We have showcased Chongqing’s responsibility in serving global initiatives. Chongqing cooperated with Sri Lanka and Nepal to promote “small yet smart” livelihood programs， including the demonstration project of “Vibrant Village”. These programs were included in the Joint Statements Between China and Sri Lanka and Between China and Nepal. Chongqing also carried out poverty reduction training sessions with other SCO countries and galvanized global action on poverty alleviation and reduction.

Giving Full Play to Our Unique Strengths and Stepping Up International Cooperation on National Strategies

We have deepened international cooperation on the Chengdu-Chongqing Twin-Hub Mega-Region. Chongqing promoted the joint development and resource sharing of international events， including the Smart China Expo （SCE）， the Western China International Fair for Investment and Trade （WCIFIT）， and the Western China International Fair （WCIF）. The international influence of the Chengdu-Chongqing Twin-Hub Mega-Region was further enhanced. The Sichuan-Chongqing Region of China & Mekong Countries Sub-National Cooperation Forum 2023 was jointly held， carrying forward the spirit of “Shared River， Shared Prosperity” for the Lancang-Mekong community with a shared future.

We have advanced the development of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor. High-level international conferences and forums were held， such as the Belt and Road Forum for Interconnected Land-Sea Development 2023， helping Chongqing better link with ASEAN and the globe. The ILSTC Think Tank Association was launched aiming to provide intellectual support for the high-quality development of the ILSTC. Chongqing also held a series of flagship events， including the Visit to Chongqing by Diplomatic Envoys in China， and deepened economic cooperation， trade， and people-to-people exchanges between Chongqing and countries along the ILSTC.

We have pushed forward the development of the China-Singapore （Chongqing） Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity （CCI）. Yuan Jiajun， Secretary of the CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee， led a CPC delegation to Singapore. This visit promoted cooperation projects in innovative ways， such as the China-Singapore （Chongqing） Hub Port Industrial Park and the China-Singapore （Chongqing） Life Science and Technology City in Western Chongqing， and explored new growth potential for CCI cooperation. Events like the Seventh China-Singapore （Chongqing） Demonstration Initiative on Strategic Connectivity Joint Steering Council Meeting and the Chongqing Week in Singapore were jointly held， bringing the cooperation with Singapore to new heights..

Advancing Chongqing’s Open Economy Through Opening-Up and Cooperation

We have focused on the interplay of foreign affairs， foreign trade， foreign investment， and international economic cooperation. Chongqing held 11 important international conventions and exhibitions such as the Belt and Road Conference on Science and Technology Exchange. Congratulatory letters from President Xi Jinping were sent for the successful convening of the Smart China Expo 2023 and the Belt and Road Conference on Science and Technology Exchange.

We have actively brought in international guests. Chongqing received three groups of diplomatic envoys in China and more than 115 important foreign guests at the vice minister level or above throughout the year， reaching a series of consensus on cooperation. Centered around developing the “3+3+6+18” System of Modern Manufacturing Clusters， Chongqing invited multiple senior executives from Fortune 500 Companies including BASF， Corning， and Suez， and facilitated the establishment of major foreign-funded projects， such as the silicon carbide productivity of San’an STMicroelectronics.

We have doubled efforts to help companies “go global”. Chongqing organized more than 100 delegations comprising over 1，000 companies to go overseas and explore international markets. The China-CELAC Digital Technology Cooperation Forum 2023 was held， drawing a blueprint for the China-CELAC digital economy cooperation with an emphasis on science and technology. Automobiles designed and made in Chongqing were sold to more and more countries worldwide.

We have set up platforms for economic cooperation and trade. Through economic and trade promotion activities in 32 countries and regions， Chongqing extensively presented new opportunities of the New Chongqing to the world. The High-Level Meeting and the Hong Kong/Chongqing Co-Operation Conference was held and made a mechanism for practical collaborations in 11 fields， including economy， trade， and finance. This mechanism will consolidate Hong Kong’s position as Chongqing’s largest source of overseas investment and third-largest trading partner.

Improving Quality and Efficiency and Striving for the Center for International Exchanges in Central and Western China

We have upgraded the master planning and design. The system was restructured for building Chongqing into the Center for International Exchanges in Central and Western China. Eight new taskforces were set up to identify the key tasks， work objectives， and responsibilities for the next five years through measures such as list-based management and closed-loop implementation.

We have cultivated multiple international communication platforms. Mexico decided to set up a consular post in Chongqing. Viet Nam was supported in establishing a Consulate-General in Chongqing as it was set forth in the China-Viet Nam Joint Statement. We also promoted the joint development of the “Luban Workshop” in Mexico， the first of its kind in Latin America. We facilitated the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory in coming to Chongqing for joint music education. We contributed efforts to applying for and receiving the title of the UNESCO City of Design. These endeavors paved Chongqing a broader way to better embrace the world.

We have strengthened our friendship with sister cities while enlarging our circle of friends. The re-election of the Council of the Chongqing People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries was completed. We facilitated 130 council members in carrying out people-to-people exchanges. Chongqing established sister-city ties and friendly cooperative relationships with an additional 10 counterparts around the world， thus enlarging the city’s international circle of friends. Quinquennial or decennial anniversaries， like the 40th anniversary of the sister city relationship between Chongqing and Seattle， were celebrated with special events. More solid cooperation was achieved in areas of common interest with our sister cities.

We have implemented practical projects for people-to-people connectivity. Chongqing dispatched medical teams to Papua New Guinea and Barbados， providing diagnosis and treatment to over 165，000 local patients， and garnering coverage from domestic and international media outlets. Over 60 Mayor’s Scholarship Silk Road projects were carried out and more than 2，000 personnel from BRI partner countries received training. We helped Chongqing cultural masterpieces such as the Tongliang Dragon Dance to make an international presence. We organized a delegation of 440 Chinese and Russian athletes to visit nine primary and secondary schools in Chongqing， engaging in featured cultural and sports activities.

We have extensively pursued international communication endeavors. The Western China International Communication Organization was established. The “@Chongqing @The World” Signature Foreign Affairs Events were rolled out. Six themed activities were held to elaborate on the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and showcase Chongqing’s practice of Chinese modernization. Moreover， “China Television Theater” programs were launched in Mexico and Columbia. Over 200 foreign media journalists from 47 countries visited Chongqing for interviews and coverage of Chongqing’s high-quality development， which was widely recognized by the audience.

Deepening Reforms and Restructuring for Improved Foreign Affairs Services

We have consistently acted on the philosophy of “foreign affairs for the people”. Great efforts were exerted to safeguard the interests of the fellow Chinese abroad. A month-long communication program on consular protection was organized. We effectively responded to global emergencies， issued timely safety notifications， evacuated Chinese nationals from high-risk areas， and resolutely protected the safety， rights， and interests of overseas Chongqing citizens and organizations.

We have continuously optimized foreign affairs governance. We further streamlined the processes for consular legalization， APEC Business Travel Cards， passports， visas， and other foreign affairs services， reducing the processing time by nearly 50% on average. Empowered by digital technologies， we advanced the one-stop service and rolled out the co-service pilot for APEC Business Cards in Jiulongpo District， continuously giving people a sense of gain.

We have sustained our efforts to facilitate foreign nationals in Chongqing. We invited representatives of consulates-general， foreign-related organizations， and businesses to visit Chongqing’s foreign affairs service platforms， working together to improve Chongqing’s international development in law-based governance， government services， and the living environment. We continued making business easier for international players.

The New Chongqing is experiencing rapid and steady development， and its foreign affairs initiatives are advancing with vibrant momentum. In the new year， Chongqing’s foreign affairs system will fully implement the guiding principles of the 20th CPC National Congress and the Central Conference on Work Relating to Foreign Affairs and the requirements of the Fourth Plenary Session of the Sixth CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee. We will zoom in on the overarching task of pursuing high-quality development and take a broad vision and stronger actions. Keeping matters of national significance in mind， we will serve China’s overall diplomatic endeavor， national strategies， and open economy， and move faster towards the Center for International Exchanges in Central and Western China. We will work diligently and steadfastly， continue to create new horizons in foreign affairs， Hong Kong and Macao affairs， and sister city relationships， and make new and greater contributions to the development of the Modernized New Chongqing.