1. In October 1999, Mr. Zhang Lijun as APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) China representative for the first time attended the APEC CEO Summit in Auckland, New Zealand, taking up his duties as a ABAC representative.

2. In October 1999, in the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting held in Auckland, New Zealand, Mr. Zhang Lijun, ABAC China representative, exchanged views with U.S. President Bill Clinton on the issue of China’s accession to the WTO. Mr. Zhang’s statement won warm applause from representatives of the industrial and commercial sectors and the approval of world leaders, which carried out fruitful work of China’s accession to the WTO.

3. In 2000, with support of the State Economic and Trade Commission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Council successfully organized the second meeting of the APEC Busines Advisory Council for 2000 and APEC 2000 China Forum, which created a precedent for holding a seminar for representatives of member economies and of the host economy during the ABAC meeting. 

4. In 2001, on the occasion of APEC vigorously promoting the E-Commerce Action, Mr. Zhang Lijun, on the behalf of the Chinese government , attended the APEC Blueprint for Action on E-Commerce Seminar. Besides, he delivered a speech entitled “E-Commerce, How Shall We Do”, at the China Enterprises Assembly of the State Economic and Trade Commission which put forward the constructive proposal for Chinese enterprises’ participation in the E-Commerce Action. In addition, he did timely and sufficient communication with representatives, and with support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he promoted China’s partcipation in the APEC Business Travel Card Scheme, realizing this business facilitation measure implemented in China.

5. In 2001, after negotiation between some leaders from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the State Economic and Trade Commission and Mr. Zhang Lijun, Chairman of the APEC China Enterprises Assembly International Communication Branch, Nankai University as well as related enterprises, it was planned to co-establish China APEC Academy by the relevant state ministries and commissions, large-scaled enterprises as well as Nankai Univesity in order to provide consultation for state leaders’ and relevant ministries and commissions and enterprises’ partcipation in the APEC meeting and provide industry consultation for enterprises, strengthen the human capacity building in China. This proposal was quickly brought the great attention and support of state leaders and relevant ministries and commissions.

6. In 2001, negotiated by leaders from the Department of Foreign Trade of the State Economic and Trade Commission, Mr. Zhang Lijun, Chairman of the APEC China Enterprises Assembly International Communication Branch, Nankai University and related enterprises, the establishment of China APEC Academy was solemnly announced by China President Jiang Zemin at the Shanghai APEC Summit, as one of the major achievements of “APEC China Year”.

7. On April 26, 2002, China APEC Academy was officially established and its inauguration ceremony was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Qian Qichen, Vice-Premier of the State Council of China, attended and addressed the ceremony. High-ranking officials from government departments including Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Education, the State Economic and Trade Commission, Ministry of Personnel, Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, General Administration of Press and Publication, System Reform Office of the State Council, China Council for the Promotions of International Trade, National Copyright Administration were present at the event. The attenders also included the President of Nankai University, entrepreneur members of APEC China Enterprises’ Assembly as well as the diplomatic envoys of the APEC member economies.

8. On October 28, 2002, China President Jiang Zemin pointed out in his keynote address at the 10th APEC Meeting in Mexico that “ We established China APEC Academy specialized in researches on Asia-Pacific cooperation and providing training for entrepreneurs. China is willing to continue strengthening exchanges and cooperation with other member economies in these fields.” This redefined China APEC Academy’s important role in actively promoting the APEC process in China.

9. In January 2003, the establishment of China APEC Development Council has been officially launched. The board members were elected from those enterprises that were committed to APEC causes with good political quality, sound operation, the spirit of sacrifice and joining the council voluntarily.

10. On August 25, 2004, approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China APEC Academy Council has been officially identified as China APEC Development Council, and becomes a work institution for China’s accession to the APEC process. Mr. Zhang Lijun serves as Chairman of China APEC Development Council.

11. In October 2005, in order to implement the Council’s goal to strengthen capacity building and actively promote the internationalization process for small and medium enterprises, the Council set up the Work Committee for Small and Medium Enterprises. Its main duty is to promote the internationalization process for SMEs and the development of SMEs in China.

12. In July 2007, in accordance with rules about the transaction of APEC Business Travel Card issued by the Consular Department of the Minsitry of Foreign Affairs, the Council applied APEC Business Travel Card for the first group of board member companies, who became the first cardholders of APEC Business Travel Card in China.

13. In May 2008, when the Wenchuan Earthquake occurred, the Council called for giving love, donation and making a due contribution to the earthquake disaster. The council’s subordinate units and departments, board member companies were in active response, which donated to the earthquake disaster area through various channels, totaled RMB 9,654,600.

14. In June 2008, according to the schedule of the establishment of China APEC Academy, with the drive of Chairman Zhang Lijun, China APEC Development Council set up its executive body called Aisa Pacific Economic Cooperation Internaional Exchange Center and realized the goal to raise funds for Nankai University to build China APEC Academy.

15. In August 2008. the third meeting of ABAC was held in Hangzhou, China. As one of the major contractors, China APEC Development Council successfully completed the work together with China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.

16. In November 2008, China Council for the Promotion of Internaional Trade and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs granted Mr. Zhang Lijun, Chairman of China APEC Development Council, the title of outstanding contribution award to honor his contribution to ABAC for 10 years.

17. In January 2009, the annual workshop of ABAC China Secretariat 2009 was held. Mr. Zhang Lijun, Chairman of China APEC Development Council attended the meeting and put forward the proposal “Three Definite, One Strengthening” for the future work of ABAC”.

18. In Feburary 2009, Mr. Zhang Lijun, ABAC China Representative sent the staffer to attend the first meeting of ABAC in New Zealand. The staffer exchanged views with the representatives on the issue of how to face the current economic crisis.

19. In March 2009, APEC Workshop of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 2009 was held in Tongzhou base. Mr. Zhang Lijun, ABAC China Representative and China APEC Development Council were invited to attend the seminar.

20. On April 5, 2009, the launching ceremony for the new site construction of China APEC Academy was held at Nankai University. High-ranking officials including Wang Guangya, Secretary of the Party Committee of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Zhang Xinsheng, Vice-Minister of Ministry of Education, Sun Shoushan, Vice-President of General Administration of Press and Publication are present the ceremony. China APEC Development Council, entrepreneurs, representatives of the Tianjin Municipal Government, Nankai University and other units and representatives also attended the event.
Zhang Gaoli, Secretary of Tianjin Municipal Committee and Huang Xingguo, Mayor of Tianjin Municipal Government met with Mr. Zhang Lijun, Chairman of China APEC Development Council and entrepreneur represnetatives.

21. On April 5, 2009, the official website( www.chinaapec.org) was launched online for test run.

22. On May 7, 2009, the official website ( www.chinaapec.org) of China APEC Development Council  completed the record and examination, and its permit number is 京ICP备09050722号.

23. On May 12, 2009, ABAC China Representative Mr. Zhang Lijun sent his staffer to attend the second meeting of ABAC in Brunei. On behalf of Mr. Zhang Lijun, the staffer formally submitted the proposal of "Develop Promotion of APEC Business Travel Card and Business Facilitation Services” to the meeting.

24. On August 4, 2009, the Council’s English website (www.chinaapec.org/en) was officially released. 

25. On August 24, 2009, ABAC China Representative Mr. Zhang Lijun sent the working group to attend the ABAC third meeting in Da Nang, Vietnam. During the meeting, the working group and APEC Secretariat reached a consensus on relevant issues.

26. On October 17, 2009, Mr. Zhang Lijun, Chairman of the Council, was invited to attend the celebration of the 90th Anniversary of Nankai University.
 

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