On August 21, 2017, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Development Research Center of the State Council (DRC) co-hosted the launching ceremony of China Center for International Knowledge on Development (CIKD) and China’s Progress Report on Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Beijing. President Xi Jinping and UN Secretary-General António Guterres sent congratulatory letters to this event. Party Secretary of the DRC Wang Anshun chaired the ceremony. DRC and CIKD President Li Wei, Vice Foreign Minister Li Baodong, Vice Minister of Commerce Wang Shouwen, Envoy of the UN Secretary-General on South-South Cooperation and Director of UN Office for South-South Cooperation Jorge Chediek, UN Resident Coordinator in China Nicolas Rosellini and others attended and addressed the ceremony.

Through abundant instances and data, China’s Progress Report on Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development made an overall review on China’s progress and important early achievements from the comprehensive implementation of the agenda since September, 2015, and made clear plans and goals of works in the next phase. Issuing the Progress Report is a follow-up action of China's National Plan on Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development announced and issued by Premier Li Keqiang at the UN headquarters last year, and will provide useful references for various countries to implement the agenda for sustainable development and inject impetus into international development and cooperation.

The establishment of the CIKD was one of the important measures put forward by President Xi Jinping at the UN Sustainable Development Summit in September 2015, which aimed to provide a platform for various countries to research and exchange development theories and development practices that suit respective national conditions. The CIKD will commit to becoming an international institution featuring joint construction, shared benefit and openness, which integrates domestic and foreign development and research resources, conducts studies on development theories and practices, and promotes various countries to communicate on development issues.

Over 300 people from relevant departments of the State Council, the UN, foreign institutions of relevant countries and international organizations stationed in China, domestic and foreign research institutes, enterprises and all walks of life attended the ceremony. All parties spoke highly of China’s achievements in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its leading role in international development and cooperation, and expected China to make greater contributions to the cause of international development.