On February 24, the Fifth Session of the Seventh Shenzhen Municipal Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) kicked off at the Shenzhen City Hall. During the conference, topics like "internationalization" were highlighted among the CPPCC members.
Yang Haobo, a member of the Standing Committee of the Shenzhen CPPCC, presented a highly anticipated proposal titled "The Construction of a Shenzhen Foreign Affairs Theme Museum."
The Fifth Session of the Seventh Shenzhen Municipal Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (Photo: Wang Wei/Nanfang Plus)
In an interview, Yang Haobo said, "As an international metropolis, Shenzhen needs a platform to showcase its foreign affairs history and achievements. This is not only a necessity for the city's international development but also an important measure to implement the concept of 'foreign affairs for the people.'"
Shenzhen is a vital window for China's reform and opening-up and for the international community to observe China. Since its establishment, Shenzhen has hosted nearly 300 foreign heads of state and government, with a surge in recent years. In 2023 and 2024, it welcomed 23 foreign heads of state and government and over 120 ministerial-level delegations, setting records. Additionally, Shenzhen has successfully hosted numerous major diplomatic events and established friendly relations with 95 foreign cities. However, it still lacks a dedicated museum showcasing its history and achievements in foreign affairs.
Yang proposed incorporating the construction of a foreign affairs theme museum into Shenzhen's planned museum projects. She suggested that the Shenzhen Foreign Affairs Department take the lead, coordinating with cultural relics, finance, and urban management departments to form a comprehensive promotion mechanism.
She also noted that current high-level foreign affairs communication mainly relies on news broadcasts and written statements, lacking intimacy and interactivity. "Foreign affairs activities should not just be official announcements but windows for residents to understand the world and participate in international exchanges," she emphasized. The museum would provide residents with insights into foreign affairs, enhancing their interaction and engagement.
Yang suggested the museum be located in a strategically advantageous and accessible area. Potential sites include cultural tourism resources in Shekou, Nanshan District, or incorporating it into planned cultural facilities like the Qianhai Museum and Shenzhen Bay Cultural Plaza.
The Shenzhen Foreign Affairs Office has collected over 300 foreign affairs gifts, thousands of video materials, and 111 signed cooperation documents, which are valuable exhibition resources. Yang stressed transforming these resources into an internationally influential cultural brand through thoughtful curation to enhance residents' awareness of foreign affairs achievements.
The establishment of a Shenzhen Foreign Affairs Theme Museum is not only a record of the city's foreign affairs history but also a crucial step in its internationalization.
Reporter | Cai Minling
Photo | Wang Wei
Video | Cai Minling, Wang Shu
Editor | Liu Lingzhi, James, Shen He
