The Beijing Mission
25-27 May, 2024
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Confirm your intention to join our delegation to Beijing.
Program
Photographs from the previous Beijing Mission in 2023.
Forming a crucial part of the Foundation’s ‘Shaping agreement on Global Governance, Climate and Nature’ Project, the Beijing Mission will host a small yet impactful delegation in May.
On 24 May, the Australian Ambassador to China, HE Scott Dewar, will host the delegation at the Australian Embassy for an opening briefing.
May 25
Our itinerary features participation in the CCG’s ‘10th Annual China and Globalization Forum’ on Saturday, 25 and Sunday, 26 May. Saturday marks Day One of the Forum, where our delegation will attend the Opening roundtable on global governance, as well as special panels and networking opportunities throughout the day.
This roundtable session will focus on challenges in the global governance structures for transitioning to net-zero emissions, addressing financial mechanisms for climate action, exploring China’s green energy transition strategy, and leveraging innovative market solutions.
May 26
On Day Two, the Foundation will co-chair the open forum ‘Shaping the future: Global governance of climate and nature’. This session provides an opportunity for all to contribute meaningfully, ensuring a diverse and impactful dialogue.
This roundtable session will focus on challenges in the global governance structures for transitioning to net-zero emissions, addressing financial mechanisms for climate action, exploring China’s green energy transition strategy, and leveraging innovative market solutions.
May 27
As the Mission progresses on Monday, 27 May, the delegation will engage in exclusive private meetings with some of China’s most senior officials in international development, foreign policy, climate change and nature.
The mission will provide our supporters with timely and valuable insights into contemporary China and its policies and intentions with regard to global engagement.
Practical details for participants
Cost: You will appreciate that, as a not-for-profit organisation, the Foundation requests a modest financial contribution of $2000AUD from those taking part in the Mission to help meet the program’s costs. You will receive an invoice once your registration has been confirmed.
Accommodation and travel: Participants are responsible for making their own arrangements for flights, travel, and accommodation. The Global Foundation has obtained a discounted hotel room rate at the Grand Millienium Hotel located at Fortune Plaza, 7 Dongsanhuan Middle Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100020. The rate is CNY900 (approximately $230AUD) per night for a basic room, single occupancy, with a daily buffet breakfast on 25 & 26 May. If you would like to stay here, please contact the Global Foundation for a reservation form.
Visa: Participants will need to ensure they have a valid visa (or valid physical APEC Business Card) for entry to China. Information on how to obtain a visa may be found here. The Foundation will assist in securing a letter of invitation from our host organisation, the Center for China and Globalization. We encourage delegates to apply for their visa as soon as possible. It is strongly recommended that participants take out their own personal travel and medical insurance for the visit.
Dress code: The dress code for all events is business attire.
Background
Over the past 20 years, the Global Foundation has contributed to China’s global engagement and emergence as a global actor.
Foundation Secretary General Steve Howard has become a well-known and respected interlocutor for leaders and distinguished representatives of the Chinese Government, institutions and business entities.
The Foundation has welcomed contributions from Senior Chinese figures in its global roundtable discussions and efforts to advance cooperative globalisation and reform global governance.
The Foundation helped to secure the first LNG deal between China and Australia.
The Foundation brought together China, the United States and Australia to align on global climate change policy, first by hosting the Australian Prime Minister in Beijing, then by initiating three-way follow-up discussions with the officials in Washington DC a few months later.
The Foundation was integral to the establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the first global institution led by China. Foundation Secretary General, Steve Howard, was the first appointee to the bank’s international advisory body.
Since 2019, Steve Howard has participated in annual, small-scale global security and strategy dialogues, hosted in China under the governance of top Chinese diplomat, Madam Fu Ying. A copy of Steve’s most recent address to this forum can be found here.
2023 was a significant year for Foundation engagement with China, after a hiatus due to the global pandemic.
April
The Foundation Secretary General, Steve Howard, and Chairman of the Board, Louise Watson, co-led a global delegation to Beijing for the first time in more than three years. The mission’s focus was on encouraging China, Australia and others to work together on re-making globalisation and encouraging further dialogue between civilisations.
The mission included a dinner with President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, Mr Jin Liqun, and a roundtable discussion hosted by the Center for China and Globalization. The Mission was endorsed by the Australian Ambassador to China, His Excellency Graham Fletcher, and the Chinese Ambassador to Australia, His Excellency Xiao Qian. It served as a useful precursor to the Australian Prime Minister’s visit to China in November that year.
June
Chinese scholars and leaders, including Dr Huiyao “Henry” Wang and Dr Mabel Miao, participated in a ‘Dialogue Between Civilizations on Global Commons’, which was co-convened and co-chaired by Steve Howard, Professor Riccardo Pozzo and Professor Jeffrey Sachs at the Pontifical Academy for Social Sciences at the Vatican. The key recommendation of the meeting elevated support for the Foundation’s focus on global governance reform, particularly as it pertained to climate and nature.
The Foundation’s work with China is often conducted in a low-key way. For example, the role that the Foundation played over recent years in encouraging better relations between China and Australia, most recently manifest through China lifting tariffs on the import of Australia wine, is not widely known.
