On August 27, 2010, the Department of External Security Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the NGO Research Center of Tsinghua University and Save the Children co-organized the Seminar on NGOs in Globalization in Beijing. Assistant Foreign Minister Cheng Guoping attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech. Director-General Luo Zhaohui and Deputy Director-General Wu Chuntai of the Department of External Security Affairs were present.

Cheng made positive comments on the active contributions of overseas NGOs to promoting China’s economic and social development and strengthening its foreign exchanges. He said that the Chinese government welcomes and supports overseas NGOs to carry out activities in China but requires them to strictly abide by Chinese laws and regulations and conduct cooperation according to China’s national conditions and needs.

Prior to the opening ceremony, Cheng met with Director of the NGO Research Center of Tsinghua University Wang Ming and Chief Representative of Save the Children Wyndham James.

Delegates of government agencies and academic institutions, including the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the Ministry of Health, the State Council Poverty Alleviation Office, the Institute of International Studies and the United Nations Association of China as well as Chinese and foreign NGOs attended the seminar and held lively and frank discussions on two topics, i.e. status quo and trend of development of NGOs and role of NGOs in economic and social development. All the participants indicated that the seminar provides a platform for conducting exchanges and interactions, enhancing trust and exploring new ideas and lays down a sound foundation for all parties to strengthen exchanges and cooperation on the issue of NGOs in the future.