The inaugural ceremony of the GDToday Think Tank (GDTT) and the International Communication Seminar on "Understanding the Greater Bay Area" took place on December 4 at the Understanding China Conference in Guangzhou,Guangdong Province.

Former President of Ethiopia Mulatu Teshome, former Prime Minister of Belgium Yves Leterme, Executive Chairman of America-China Partnership Foundation, Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees at CSIS Foundation Jusuf Wanandi, and other scholars from home and abroad graced the ceremony.

At the ceremony, the first batch of 17 think tank experts, both domestic and international, was announced as initial members of GDTT.

According to Huang Can, Editor-in-Chief of Nanfang Media Group, the GDTT is a media-driven think tank established by Nanfang Media Group as an attempt to drive the integrated development of GDToday.

The think tank's core focus areas include conducting regional and country-specific studies, as well as analyzing the global landscape of public opinion. GDTT produces and publishes research reports, organizes forums and salons, and hosts various events to promote international economic, trade, and cultural exchanges.

GDTT announced four key projects at the ceremony, including the launch of the GDTT channel on GDToday. People can search and read scholars' opinions on international hotspots, China's issues, as well as the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

In addition, GDTT will launch joint projects with institutions in the San Francisco Bay Area, New York Bay Area, and Tokyo Bay Area on specific topics to promote exchanges between global bay areas through building a system for resource sharing.

Moreover, GDTT held two seminars for former global leaders and scholars to exchange views on New Opportunities for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in a Changing World and Interpreting China's Opportunities in a Changing World.

Mulatu Teshome spoke about the opportunities created by China's opening-up and modernization for the Greater Bay Area, stating, "The opening-up and modernization of China have brought a very good opportunity for the GBA to trade and interact with the world," making it easier for developing countries, including Ethiopia, to access China's market.

Yves Leterme highlighted the global importance of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, emphasizing its economic and innovative contributions. He stressed the need to tell the GBA's story, saying, "If you don't speak up, no one else will. A think tank like GDTT is an excellent platform to share the GBA's story with the world."

John Milligan Whyte, Executive Chairman of the America-China Partnership Foundation, opined that the economic growth and national security of both the United States and China must align for the peaceful coexistence of the two countries. He expressed the wish to cooperate with GDTT in educating young generations about the importance of economic alignment.

Wang Wen, Dean of the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies & Deputy Dean of the Silk Road School at Renmin University of China, emphasized the pivotal role of think tanks in utilizing social sciences and advancing knowledge for the public good and considered the establishment of GDTT a crucial step in the process of "knowledge for the public."

Yu Yunquan, Vice President of China International Communications Group and President of the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies, highlighted the global trust deficit and differing perceptions of international issues. He stressed the importance of platforms like "Understanding China" and the Global Greater Bay Area Think Tank Alliance for fostering mutual understanding. "Such platforms are crucial for bridging these gaps," he stated, urging greater media and think tank cooperation to build a global consensus on humanity's future.

Jusuf Wanandi pointed out the significance of knowing more about the GBA for Southeast Asia, noting, "The GBA is a critical part of China, and its development will become a key partnership opportunity for countries in Southeast Asia."

The guests in discussion (Photo: GDToday)

Up next, GDTT will launch projects of insightful journeys in China, inviting great minds from China and the rest of the world to walk in China and dissect the GBA, in a way that catches a glimpse of the modernization efforts in this region of China.

Reporter | Chen Siyuan, Guo Zedong, Liu Xiaodi

Video Script | Guo Zedong, Chen Siyuan

Videographer | Guo Hongda, Pan Jiajun

Graphic Designer | Lai Meiya

Video Editor | Guo Hongda

Editor | Yuan Zixiang, James, Shen He