Chongqing - On July 17, over 200 guests from both China and abroad gathered in Chongqing to explore ways to strengthen people-to-people connections and deepen cooperation between China and overseas Chinese communities.
The event, titled the "Bringing Hearts Together, Telling China's Story" International Communication Forum, was part of the First Belt and Road Conference for Overseas Chinese Cooperation and Development.
Official data shows that more than 60 million overseas Chinese reside worldwide, with over two-thirds living in Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries. These communities possess substantial economic power, broad social networks, and well-developed business infrastructures, making them natural bridges linking China with the rest of the world.
Cai Youming, executive editor of the Philippines' Chinese Commercial News, remarked, “Spicy hot pot and Chongqing’s 8D cyberpunk skyline have already made their way into global imagination,” highlighting the city’s growing international profile.
Zhang Qiong, director-general of the Information Office of Chongqing Municipal People's Government, stated, "Chongqing has upgraded the Western China International Communication Organization and launched internationally recognizable brand projects," she said. "Chongqing's international exposure now ranks first in western China and fifth nationwide. Throughout this process, overseas Chinese communities have offered tremendous support."
Zhang also highlighted that overseas Chinese media have consistently covered Chongqing's emerging industries, open platforms, and distinctive culture. Frequent visits and in-depth reports by these media outlets have significantly boosted the city's international visibility and influence.
During a roundtable session, Luo Mingwen, the Chongqing Blue Sky Rescue Team leader, noted that the organization includes over 300 overseas Chinese volunteers and has participated in international rescue missions in Zimbabwe, Nepal, Myanmar, Turkey, and Sri Lanka.
"Disasters reveal true friendship," Luo said, emphasizing that during overseas operations, the team has received strong support from local chambers of commerce and Chinese assistance centers. Looking ahead, Luo proposed building information-sharing platforms, fostering regional participation, and enhancing multilateral emergency rescue cooperation through joint innovation.
Yang Min, researcher at the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), shared a case of cross-border collaboration. Ten years ago, her team responded to a plea from a Sri Lankan engineer to address rural waterborne diseases. They helped provide safe drinking water to local communities through field investigations and rural water treatment solutions.
"This decade of cooperation is a real embodiment of people-to-people connectivity," Yang said. "It's not just a slogan. It's water stations, recovered villagers, and international friends' trust and gratitude. Chinese solutions are serving more developing countries around the world."
The "Walking in China: 2025 Overseas Chinese Media Tour to Sichuan and Chongqing" was also launched at the event.
In 2025, overseas Chinese media will visit Sichuan and Chongqing for the third consecutive year, continuing to share the region's stories with the world. Yang Yanfang, secretary-general of China News Service, stated that 26 overseas Chinese-language media outlets from Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Africa, Europe, and other regions will visit Chongqing and Sichuan in the next two weeks.
Their coverage will focus on the development of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle, presenting the region's progress and building a cultural bridge for its international engagement.
Cai said that over the past two years, he has joined the media tours to both Chongqing and Sichuan, and each visit offers fresh perspectives and rewarding experiences. He was deeply impressed by the region’s high-quality development in industry, science, culture, and urban construction. He pledged to continue working with overseas Chinese media to share Sichuan and Chongqing’s vibrant and diverse stories with Chinese communities worldwide.
Since its launch in 2008, the “Walking in China: Overseas Chinese Media Tour” has covered key regions such as Tibet, Xinjiang, Chongqing, and Shanghai, continuing its mission to share China’s evolving story with global audiences.