Cohesion of the Overseas Chinese for the Development of Chongqing

□ Article/ Wang Lin Tr. by He Jing

Cohesion of the Overseas Chinese for the Development of Chongqing

□ Article/ Wang Lin Tr. by He Jing

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China(CPC), the municipality’s overseas Chinese affairs department,whose eyes are set on “A Cohesion of the Overseas Chinese to Materialize and Co-share the Chinese Dream”, has been playing a positive role in taking the whole national interests into account,being engaged in the economic and social development, and overseas Chinese services of Chongqing, upholding pragmatic and innovative spirit.

Active “Matchmaking” Has Rendered a Remarkable Service Enhancement

Over the past 5 years, the city’s overseas Chinese departments had been closely revolving around the innovation-driven development of Chongqing, as well as turning Chongqing into an inland open highland, strengthening overseas Chinese economic and technological work. Availing themselves of overseas Chinese connections, these departments keep in line with “the introduction of overseas resources”, painting a more splendid economic big picture. In terms of foreign investment attraction, overseas Chinese delegation has been organized annually to foreign lands for inviting overseas investment, and for co-organizing“Conference on Overseas Chinese Pioneering and Developing in China” and “ASEAN Overseas Chinese Investors Forum”; in turn,those overseas Chinese businessmen are invited to participate in important economic and trade activities like “Chongqing Trade Fair” and “Chongqing Hi-tech fair”, to cite but a few, navigating those entrepreneurs through the fields like agriculture, modern service industry, high-tech industry, and advanced manufacturing,etc., a host of projects being settled. When it comes to talents attraction, “Recruitment Program of Overseas High-Calibre Personnel” and “Recruitment Program of Overseas Personnel back to Chongqing” have been implemented. The ties, exchange with,and the introduction of the Chinese students studying in European,American, Asian and Australian universities and overseas highcaliber talents have been attached overriding importance, so much so that a series of cooperation agreements have been signed to attract a group of overseas Chinese high-calibre talents. Meanwhile,high-end forums, themed on overseas Chinese, have been hosted for them to bolster exchange of information, share experience,create business opportunities, and seek common development.

Propelling Chongqing local brands towards “going global” and promoting the city’s opening-up. Centered on the “Belt and Road”initiative and the major plan of the Yangtze River Economic Zone,the departments concerned have shaped an international image of Chongqing through overseas Chinese businessmen, business clubs, and leaders, prompting local enterprises, platforms,technologies to expand in the overseas markets. CSIC (Chongqing)Haizhuang Wind Power Equipment Co., Ltd. has carried out international production and equipment manufacturing cooperation,achieving a certain scale in the US market; Chongqing Railway Vehicle Co., Ltd. Have its subway cars exported to Argentina,marking that the subway cars “made in Chongqing” have been going global; Chongqing Rail Group have established project cooperation with Bangkok, Thailand, and West Java, Indonesia.Behind these achievements lie the support and contribution of overseas Chinese enterprises and overseas Chinese.

Strengthen Friendship with the Overseas Chinese to Activate Overseas Affairs amp; Public Diplomacy

We have firmly upheld the concept of emphasizing on overseas Chinese affairs, adhering to taking them as bridge over Chongqing and the outside world. The ties and friendship with the overseas Chinese communities and leaders have been tightened by the policy of “Going Global amp; Inviting in”. We have organized delegations to visit the countries, regions with rich overseas-affairs resources, such as the Americas, Europe, Africa and Southeast Asia, building a direct and friendly contact with the overseas Chinese communities and people.

In recent years, the number of Chongqing-descent overseas Chinese has been increasing and their influence strengthening.As such, we have established a database, to strengthen contact with overseas Chinese communities, and actively guide the establishment of community organizations to achieve a united development. At present, overseas Chongqing-descent Association,Chongqing Chamber of Commerce, Chongqing Alumni Association and other community organizations continue to grow and expand,covering more than 30 countries and regions like the United States,Britain, Canada, Australia, Japan and South Africa etc.

Through reinforcing the interaction with overseas Chinese businessmen, associations and leaders, we have fostered a host of Sister-City relationships: between Chongqing and Gauteng Province, South Africa, and Chennai City, India; and a bunch of friendly city-district relationship: between Jiangbei District, Hechuan District, Yubei District, and the City of North Las Vegas, the City of Santa Monica, the United States, and the City of Burnaby, Canada,respectively, Chongqing’s opening-up platforms and channels are continuing to widen.

Five Chongqing Art Troupes featuring “Chinese Culture amp; Global View” had been to 12 countries, including Canada, Spain, Brazil,to put on shows for the Chinese expatriates, causing sensations among those visited countries, on which CCTV and some local mainstream media have reported. “Culture Chinese • Chinese Cuisine” Chongqing Cooking Group for Chinese Expatriates had paid visits to Belgium, France, Mauritius, showcasing the unique charm of Chinese food culture. Through these activities,the overseas Chinese have enhanced their understanding of their ancestral countries (or ancestral home) and Chongqing.Besides, these activities have further strengthened the expatriates’role working as bridge and link for active cooperation between Chongqing and their respective residing country, and expanded the reputation of Chongqing in the world.

Spread the Quintessential Chinese Culture and Promote the Cultural Publicity among the Chinese Expatriates

Taking Chinese education as the carrier, we strive to advance the spread of Chinese culture overseas, and to enhance the soft power of Chinese culture. In a way, we effectively carry out “The Roots Projects”: a series of activities such as the “Chinese Culture Workshop” being held overseas, cultural experience activities related to “Root-seeking in China” (Chongqing) such as the Spring,Summer, Autumn and Winter Camps for the overseas Chinese adolescents to inspire the youth to recognize the traditional Chinese culture, and enhance their affections to the ancestral country and their understanding of Chongqing.

A group of outstanding Chinese experts have been organized to go overseas to give training courses for the overseas Chinese teachers, in collaboration with Chongqing Normal University,Southwest University and Chongqing Jihua Middle School, which has upgraded the Chinese-teaching standards in the overseas Chinese school. Some of the other Chinese teachers are sent to foreign countries like Thailand, Myanmar, and Indonesia to carry out subjects-based teaching work like Chinese, music, dance,martial arts, playing a positive role in improving the quality of overseas Chinese language teaching.

The Chinese Education Base of Chongqing Normal University and that of Jihua Middle School, have forged international Friendlyschool ties with schools of the United States, Britain, Canada, and Thailand, etc., and have established long-term exchange relations with the relevant countries’ Chinese education base model schools and Chinese schools; Joining hands with the Chinese Educational institutions, they have partnered as “Units of Long-term and Friendly Cooperation for Chinese education”, and released the publication of Chinese works written by the youth both at home and abroad.

Set up Platform Ensuring Solid and Effective Service for the Overseas Chinese Affairs

The Municipal Government Foreign Affairs and Overseas Chinese Affairs Of fi ce has opened a service window, arranging special staff to handle paper-works and overseas Chinese policy consultation.In the city’s neighborhoods and communities that gather more returned expatriates and their families, feature more solid overseas Chinese affairs handling capabilities, sounder hardware facilities, and a more comprehensive service network, “Overseas Chinese Home” have been set up, which has given a very good demonstration in promoting the relevant grassroots work.

Shapingba District, Yubei District, Dadukou District, Jiangbei District, in accordance with the two-way working mechanism“More service from the neighborhoods, more contributions from the returned expatiates”, have organized regular activities like information exchange, Literary amp; Art Festival, charitable activities,and neighborhood help, enriching their spiritual and cultural life,so that “Overseas Chinese Home” has become a warm home for those returned overseas Chinese. “Model Community Working for the Overseas Chinese Affairs”—Yang Gongqiao community,Shapingba District, has held New-year Festivals for several years straight for the local returned expatriates, and carried out activities featuring overseas Chinese law propaganda, policy consultation,free couplets distribution, which has won their recognition and expanded social in fl uence of related work.

Yubei District has set up Chongqing’s first “Legal Service Workstation for the Foreign and Overseas Chinese” to explore the relevant legal work towards legalization and standardization.They have properly handled the case of General Feng Yuxiang’s former Residence, and Thailand Chia Tai Group (Chongqing)Lotus Center marketing dispute case and other overseas Chinese economic disputes; actively restore economic losses for overseas Chinese enterprises and expatriates. They also put themselves at a rather responsible side in handling letters and visits from the foreign and overseas Chinese. Through policy guidance, re fl ecting the demands, coordination and problem addressing, contradictions countering, they have legally safeguarded the interests of Chinese expatiates and foreigners in China, ensuring the harmony and stability of the communities.

Strengthening the Poverty Alleviation in the Relevant Communities and Improve Their Livelihood

The Municipal Foreign Affairs and Overseas Chinese Affairs Of fi ce has, joining hands with departments of fi nance, civil affairs, poverty alleviation, human social security and the Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, issued more than 10 policies on poverty reduction. In 2014, the living allowance for the early overseas Chinese returnees had escalated from 100 yuan per person per month to 500 yuan, the highest standard of the country, so that the senior overseas Chinese returnees can be bathed in the Party and the Government’s care.

A series of activities have been organized, like “Overseas Chinese Love Project—sending warmth, sending science and technology,sending medical care” to help poor returned overseas Chinese solve living dif fi culties. The Municipal Government Foreign Affairs and Overseas Chinese Affairs Of fi ce had organized 6 large-scale condolences activities; in collaboration with Yubei District, Jiangbei District, Bishan District, Pengshui County and other districts and counties, they gave practical training courses for returned overseas Chinese; working with Chongqing Medical University,they organized medical teams composed of well-known experts and professors among the overseas Chinese to 14 districts and counties (including the Three Gorges reservoir area, Wuling mountain area) to carry out square clinics and training for the local health care staff; in all, nearly ten thousand people are clinically received.

They also guide and win the overseas Chinese and charitable people to support education, medical and New Rural Area Construction in the underdeveloped areas, In places like Pengshui County, Nanchuan District, Fengdu County, Wanzhou District,Wushan County, Wuxi County, Jiangjin District, donation and support from the overseas Chinese are well acknowledged by the masses. According to incomplete statistics, throughout the 5 years,the city’s overseas Chinese departments have received a total of nearly 100-million-yuan donations.