Chongqing, China — July 17, 2025 — The inaugural Belt and Road Overseas Chinese Cooperation and Development Conference convened today at the Yuzhou Hotel in Chongqing. The opening ceremony welcomed over 500 representatives of overseas Chinese from more than 110 countries and regions, spanning all five continents.
Jointly organized by the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, the Chongqing Municipal People’s Government, and the Sichuan Provincial People’s Government, the conference is held under the theme “Uniting Overseas Chinese Along the New Silk Road, Advancing Together into the Future.” Guided by the eight major actions for high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, the event prioritizes connectivity and synergy between domestic and international markets, emphasizing the stabilization of foreign investment and trade.
The conference seeks to amplify the unique contributions of overseas Chinese in advancing China’s high-level opening-up, promoting high-quality development, enhancing global exchange, and participating in people-to-people diplomacy. It aims to foster inclusive development, innovation, and win-win cooperation among overseas Chinese communities involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.
Keynote Remarks and Enterprise Commitments
In his keynote address, Mr. Kuok Khoon Hong, recipient of the Chinese Government’s Friendship Award, Honorary President of the China Overseas Chinese Entrepreneurs Association, and Chairman and CEO of Singapore’s Wilmar International Group, reaffirmed his company’s long-term commitment to China. He highlighted that Wilmar subsidiary Yihai Kerry has already established over 100 factories across 81 production bases in China and plans to further expand investment in Chongqing, particularly in grain and oil processing, central kitchens, health foods, and integrated healthcare initiatives.
Launch of the Belt and Road Overseas Chinese Business Network
The Belt and Road Overseas Chinese Business Network was officially launched at the conference. This initiative integrates global overseas Chinese business resources to enhance cooperation across trade, culture, and technology. It aims to establish a collaborative model based on the principles of consultation, co-construction, and shared benefits, providing a powerful platform for overseas Chinese participation in the Belt and Road Initiative. The network’s inaugural members span 72 countries and regions across five continents.
Recognition of “Top Ten Overseas Chinese Contributions to the Belt and Road”
The conference unveiled ten exemplary case studies showcasing overseas Chinese contributions to the BRI, including:
- Huantai Energy’s green energy solutions benefitting local populations in partner countries;
- Tiantang Group’s “Africa Manufacturing” model boosting China-Africa industrial collaboration;
- Fangda Smart Control’s smart city technology integration;
- China International Communications Group’s diaspora-led international storytelling;
- GCL Group’s comprehensive energy structure transformation projects;
- Wanxin Group’s development of a Latin American motorcycle industrial cluster;
- Nine Dragons Paper’s green paper manufacturing investments;
- The China Overseas Chinese Charity Foundation’s “Bright Journey” humanitarian program;
- Wonda Group’s efforts to export Chinese industry standards;
- Chongqing Blue Sky Rescue Team’s collaborative international disaster relief efforts.
Investment Highlights and Project Agreements
A total of 66 projects were signed during the conference, amounting to RMB 43.79 billion. Of these, 17 projects were signed on-site at the opening ceremony, with a total investment of RMB 22.95 billion. These projects span green energy, cross-border trade, advanced manufacturing, and the digital economy, including reinvestment commitments from overseas Chinese enterprises such as Nine Dragons Paper and Yihai Kerry, reflecting Chongqing’s growing appeal as a hub for high-quality inland development.
Industrial Cooperation and Strategic Engagement
During the thematic keynote session, Mr. Xie Yi, Senior Vice Chairman of CP Group, expressed confidence in Chongqing’s robust food and agricultural processing sectors and emphasized the group’s willingness to deepen cooperation through innovation in digital agriculture and smart farming, underpinned by the unifying strength of overseas Chinese enterprise.
Economic and trade promotion sessions were also hosted by the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Commerce and the Sichuan Bureau of Economic Cooperation.
Chengdu-Chongqing Twin-City Development and Future Outlook
The conference serves as a strategic platform to align with China’s national Chengdu-Chongqing Twin-City Economic Circle initiative. An innovative rotating mechanism between Sichuan and Chongqing has been established to continually attract global overseas Chinese resources to the region. The second edition of the conference will be hosted in Sichuan.
Parallel Events and Engagement Platforms
Four thematic sessions will be held concurrently:
- “Supporting Thousands of Enterprises and Products to Go Global” Trade Exchange;
- “Overseas Chinese Empowering High-Quality Development” Investment Forum;
- “Telling China’s Story Through Overseas Chinese” Global Communication Session;
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum for Returned Overseas Chinese Youth.
These events aim to integrate core resources across policy, industry, talent, culture, and tourism to build a multi-tiered support system and one-stop platform for shared information and strategic matchmaking, facilitating deeper overseas Chinese participation in Belt and Road cooperation.
Post-Conference Engagement and Site Visits
To further enhance dialogue and engagement, five post-conference site visits will be organized for international delegates to explore key industrial hubs and open cooperation platforms in Chongqing, Sichuan, and Xinjiang.
Chongqing: A Magnet for Overseas Chinese Engagement
As host city, Chongqing has actively fostered overseas Chinese cooperation through a series of brand initiatives such as the Belt and Road Overseas Chinese Business Conference, the “World Elite Schools Connect with Chongqing” Program, and the “Overseas Chinese Build a New Chongqing” campaign. Backed by a strong business environment and robust services for overseas Chinese, the city has become a key destination for diaspora investment and development.
Currently, Chongqing has 134 “Homes for Overseas Chinese,” over 380 branches and groups under the Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, eight city-level diaspora platforms, and maintains close contact with thousands of overseas Chinese associations, forming a comprehensive and interconnected support network.