(I)        Implement and enforce foreign policies, foreign-related laws and regulations of the state, and directives and decisions of the CPC Municipal Committee and the Municipal Government regarding foreign affairs; draw up the rules and regulations on the city’s foreign affairs; formulate and implement the development programs and annual plans of the city’s foreign affairs.

 

(II)      Manage and coordinate the city’s foreign affairs and related events; conduct research and investigations to provide the information for decision-making on foreign affairs for the CPC Municipal Committee and the Municipal Government; contribute to the city’s economic and social development through carrying out exchanges with foreign countries.

 

(III)     Supervise the short-term official missions conducted by the city’s government agencies and public institutions to the foreign countries, and Hong Kong and Macao SARs; report the overseas missions to be conducted by the city leaders to the higher authorities for approval; issue Passport for Public Affairs, Service Passport, and Pass to and from Hong Kong and Macao with valid endorsement; assist with foreign visa application; issue visa notice for the foreign nationals formally invited to Guangzhou.

 

(IV)    Receive the high-level official delegations from abroad visiting Guangzhou; receive the China-based foreign diplomats visiting Guangzhou for official purpose; coordinate and arrange the foreign-related events attended by the city leaders; supervise the protocol arrangement of the major foreign-related events in the city.

 

(V)     Manage the city’s friendly exchange programs with its sister cities and the foreign countries; supervise the operation of Guangzhou People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.

 

(VI)    Implement the Central Government’s guidelines and policies regarding the Hong Kong and Macao SARs; coordinate and organize the city’s major exchange events with Hong Kong and Macao; manage the city’s working affairs involving Hong Kong and Macao; approve, coordinate and manage the city’s official and quasi-official exchange programs with Hong Kong and Macao.

 

(VII)   Coordinate the interview activities of the foreign journalists visiting or based in Guangzhou; supervise and coordinate the exchange activities between the city’s government agencies and public institutions and the foreign consulates and other official and quasi-official organizations located in Guangzhou.

 

(VIII) Examine and recommend the foreign candidates for the title of “Honorary Citizens of Guangzhou”; handle or assist other government agencies to tackle the foreign-related cases and other important issues involving foreign nationals.

 

(IX)    Examine the applications for convening international conferences in Guangzhou and report to the higher authorities for approval; participate in the organization and protocol arrangement of the international conferences hosted by the Municipal Government.

 

(X)     Instruct the subordinate foreign affairs offices and other government agencies at municipal level to carry out working programs on foreign affairs; provide training for the government officials dealing with foreign affairs; inspect the activities of the city’s official delegations to the foreign countries and Hong Kong and Macao SARs; collect information on the foreign nationals invited to Guangzhou; supervise the observance of the disciplines on foreign affairs.

 

(XI)    Assist the News Office of the Municipal Government to promote Guangzhou to the foreign countries; provide reference materials for relevant government agencies on international situation, foreign policies and major international issues in line with the stand of the higher authorities and Central Government; assist with the composition of press reports on major foreign-related events in Guangzhou.

 

(XII)   Accomplish other tasks as assigned by the CPC Municipal Committee, the Municipal Government and the provincial foreign affairs office.