Preface

It is specified in Article 10 of the national “Regulations on the Work of Local Official Records” published in May 2006 that the local official records should be compiled and revised once every 20 years or so. Departmental records are an important part of local records. The Annals of Nanchang Foreign Affairs has not been revised for 30 years until 2020. During the three decades, Nanchang has experienced the rise of open development, through which Nanchang marches from the initial construction of a new high ground for inland two-way opening-up towards the in-depth construction of a new development pattern of domestic and international dual circulation.

Foreign affairs work is the window and bridge of opening-up, a sound work in foreign affairs will definitely benefit the development of international exchanges and cooperation which will in turn drive Nanchang’s in-depth reform and add vitality to innovation. This is proved by Nanchang’s rise of open development over the past more than 40 years.

It was pointed out at the 12th Party Congress of Nanchang in 2021 that Nanchang should strive to be the forefront and model of the province’s opening-up, continuously initiate a more comprehensive, deeper and more diversified pattern of opening-up, and blaze wider trails for promoting Nanchang’s high-quality development. Thus, as an important engine of international cooperation for Nanchang’s economic and social development, foreign affairs work shoulders a glorious and arduous mission!

As an ancient saying goes, those who administer shall draw strength from history and learn from local records. In the first year of the comprehensive implementation of the spirit of the 20th CPC National Congress, and on the 10th anniversary of the proposal and construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, the Annals of Nanchang Foreign Affairs (1991-2020) was published, it is not only a new foreign affairs document of Nanchang’s history and record culture in recent years, but more importantly, a sufficient reference to help promote the development of Nanchang’s opening-up. The city’s foreign affairs staff and foreign-related personnel may use the Records as a tool and resource book for study and reference while handling the increasingly complex foreign affairs, to gain positive lessons and inspirations,to continuously create a new situation of high-level opening-up to promote the high-quality development of Nanchang, and make new and greater contributions to the in-depth building of “one hub and four centers” (comprehensive transportation hub, regional sci-tech innovation center, regional financial center, clus ter development center of advanced manufac turing industry, and cluster development center of high-quality service industry), the implementation of the strategy of the provincial capital leading the development of the whole province, and the modernization of Jiangxi through a Chinese path!(https://www.daowen.com)

This is the Preface.

Mei Mei

October 6, 2023

（The Author is the Director of the Office of Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Nanchang Municipal Committee, and Party Secretary and Director of Foreign Affairs Office of the Nanchang Municipal People’s Government）