The International Department of the CPC Central Committee makes a point to associating their routine work when carrying out the campaign of studying and practicing the Scientific Outlook on Development, laying special emphasis on real practice and resolves to promote the scientific development of the external work of the Party by improving their perceptions, capabilities, leadership and institutions.

The CPC CC International Department started warm-up activities as early as last August and September, long before the official launch of the Study and Practice Campaign, through which they obtained a deeper understanding of the Scientific Outlook on Development and hence got well prepared for the formal proceeding of the campaign.

During the "self-examination period" of the campaign, the Department, taking the opportunity of the 30th anniversary of the 3rd Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Central Committee, carried out a series of theoretical research and discussions on party diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. Through such activities as theses solicitation, colloquia, workshops and theme exhibitions, staff of the International Department have raised their consciousness of the need to achieve scientific development of the external work of the Party. They have come to the understanding that only with an accurate comprehension of the new thinking and new ideas of the central leadership can they make fresh contribution to the overall mission of the Party and the nation; only by playing out the special edge of party diplomacy can they meet the new requirements set to the Department by new circumstances and new tasks; only through a coordinated and holistic approach can the Department ensure comprehensive and balanced progress in all aspects of its work; only when human factors are put in the first place can they achieve sustained development; and only in a pioneering spirit and with a free mind to keep pace with the times can they overcome all difficulties and open new vistas in their work.

The International Department is determined to manifest what has been reaped from the study and practice campaign in their service to the central tasks of the Party and the nation. They pledge to help deepen mutual political trust and cooperation between China and other countries by making the best of party channels of communication. They will continue with their studies to look into the international financial crisis and its impact on world economy and politics as well as how it is affecting China.

Given the adverse impact of the financial crisis on the economy of China's coastal provinces, the Department jointly hosted with the Zhejiang Provincial government the "China-Africa SME Cooperation Forum", which provided a platform of cooperation between Chinese and African small and medium-sized enterprises. The forum was designed to help SMEs in China to better cope with the financial crisis by providing guidance and coordination to "out-going" companies, finding them cooperation partners and offering other good offices to remove their difficulties. Over 40 African delegates including business teams led by senior officials of ruling political parties and diplomats to China from 8 African countries such as Liberia, Ethiopia and Zambia, attended the forum together with more than 150 business leaders from Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province. The forum turned out fairly fruitful and gave chance to quite a number of cooperation intentions.