Bridges China Dialogue

The Bridges China Dialogue is founded by The International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) (ICTSD) in 2007 in Geneva.  Over its first decade, the ICTSD has been at the forefront of constructive efforts to the integrate environment, development and equity concerns in international trade policy through Bridges series publication, networking, research and dialogue.

As an independent, non-profit, and non-governmental organization, ICTSD engages a broad range of actors in ongoing dialogue on trade and sustainable development policy. In advancing its mission, the Centre has become a leading broker of knowledge and information on trade policy and sustainable development.

ICTSD plays a unique, systemic role as a provider of original, non-partisan reporting and facilitation services. ICTSD advances trade policy that supports sustainable development by structuring interaction between policy-makers and key influencers who are often excluded from policymaking processes. ICTSD helps parties better understand the technical and political contexts that underlie their interests and the interests of those with whom they interact on policy issues. In this way, ICTSD builds bridges between groups with seemingly disparate agendas, enabling them to identify and progress on issues where their interests and priorities coincide.

ICTSD launched it China Initiative in 2006. The China Initiative is aimed at leveraging China’s role in global economic governance for a global common future of sustainable development. Its programme is focused on three key themes: global economic governance, trade and investment, international development. It makes intervention at the multilateral, bilateral and national levels.

Bridges China Dialogue is the flagship project of ICTSD China Initiative. The Dialogue is committed to improving China’s globalization in a sustainable manner by engaging Chinese business leaders and policymakers in international multi-stakeholder conversations on governance, strategies, practices and global citizenship.  Since 2007, the Dialogue has become one of most influential international forums focused on China related issues.

In March 2011, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met ICTSD Chief Executive Mr. Ricardo Melendez-Ortiz in People’s Great Hall and other selected overseas delegates who attended China Development Forum organized by the State Council Development Research Centre.  Wen said, China’s development is inseparable from the world, and the development of the world cannot be realized without China. In his conversation, Premier Wen congratulated ICTSD in its work on global economic governance matters and its focus on sustainability, and expressed appreciation for ICTSD's work in ensuring China’s smoother integration into world economy, advancing sustainable development of China and the world.