The China Institute for Innovation and Development Strategy (CIIDS), was initiated and founded in May 2010 by the renowned Chinese theorist and strategist Mr. Zheng Bijian, with the distinguished Chinese scientist Academician Lu Yongxiang serving as its honorary advisor.

The Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs (CPIFA) was established on December 15, 1949, the same year of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. As the first institute devoted to people-to-people diplomacy of the PRC, CPIFA was founded at the initiative of the late Premier Zhou Enlai. Premier Zhou Enlai and the late Vice Premier Chen Yi both once served as the Honorary President of the Institute.

The Understanding China Conference (UCC) was launched by the China Institute for Innovation and Development Strategy (CIIDS) and the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs among other world-renowned think tanks in 2013, and counting in collaboration with the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality (editions 1-3, 2013-2015) and the People’s Government of Guangdong Province (editions 4-8, 2019-2024).