In order to carry out President Xi Jinping’s instruction of “China needs to know more about the world and vice versa”, and widen the channels for non-governmental diplomatic work, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) initiated and founded the Global CEO Council formed by 14 CEOs of wellknown multinational enterprises in the world. The aims of the council are Making Friends, Negotiating Cooperation, Promoting Peace and Exploring Development. On June 5th, Premier Li Keqiang met with the enterprisers attending the Global Fortune Forum in Chengdu and the Global CEO Council. On the same day, at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, the CPAFFC hosted the First Roundtable Summit of the Global CEO Council and the founding ceremony. Han Qide, Wan Gang, the vice chairmans of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference were present at the above events.
The Global CEO Council initiated by the CPAFFC received positive response and support from about 20 multinational enterprises in the world. The first Global CEO Council was formed by 14 CEOs from 14 leading international enterprises of important industries, including Coca-Cola, Dell, Volkswagen, Carrefour, BHP Bittion, Standard Chartered Bank, Royal DSM, Disney, Honeywell,which covered business of mining resource, ecological environment, auto manufacture, aviation and space, electronic technology, information, finance and insurance, retail and service, cultural industry and etc..
President Li Xiaolin delivered a speech at the founding ceremony of the Global CEO Council. She said, the situation of globalization was complicated. As the national people’s organization engaged in people-to-people diplomatic works, the CPAFFC had strengthened the non-governmental economic diplomacy in recent years. In 2012 October, the CPAFFC initiated a public program titled Rainbow Bridge, which established a bridge of cooperation, development and mutual benefit between the Chinese poverty-stricken revolutionary base area and the multinational enterprises. Up to now, there had been over 40 multinational enterprises participated in the Rainbow Bridge Program. The Global CEO Council was the extension of the Rainbow Bridge, which was expected to help the CEOs from the leading enterprises of the Global economy to understand a true, objective and comprehensive China in form of roundtable summit. At the same time the Global CEO Council would also provided a new platform of enhancing friendship, cooperation and mutual benefit.
