On December 4, 2023, Vice President Han Zheng attended and addressed the opening ceremony of the 2023 Imperial Springs International Forum in Guangzhou. A congratulatory letter from President Xi Jinping was first read at the forum.

Han Zheng said that President Xi Jinping's in-depth explanation of the essence of multilateralism has charted the course for safeguarding and practicing true multilateralism. Under the current circumstances, the world needs more than ever to stay true to the core values and basic principles of multilateralism and follow the vision of global governance featuring extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefits.

The first is to achieve peaceful coexistence on the premise of seeking common ground while shelving differences, seek integrated development in the process of equal exchanges, and make common progress on the basis of mutual learning. He called on parties concerned, under the guidance of the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind, to implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, and advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

The second is to make global governance fairer and more equitable on the basis of consultation and consensus, in a bid to inject more stability and positive energy into the world. He called on parties concerned to oppose hegemonism, power politics, and unilateral practices in the name of multilateralism.

The third is to stick to the right direction of globalization, oppose protectionism and "decoupling and severing industrial and supply chains", and make bigger the pie of mutually beneficial cooperation, so as to inject more impetus into world economic recovery. He called on parties concerned to adhere to dialogue and consultation, promote political settlement of hotspot issues, and jointly address risks and challenges.

Han Zheng emphasized that China is an advocate and practitioner of multilateralism, and is advancing the noble cause of building a great country and national rejuvenation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization. China stays true to the path of peaceful development, remains committed to high-quality development and high-standard opening up, and stands ready to work with other countries to create a better future for mankind.

Huang Kunming attended the opening ceremony.

The forum was co-hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the Australia China Friendship and Exchange Association, the People's Government of Guangdong Province, and the World Leadership Alliance-Club de Madrid. Former political dignitaries from over 40 countries, responsible officials of international organizations, diplomatic envoys of foreign countries to China, experts and scholars, among others, carried out in-depth discussions with a focus on the theme of "Multilateralism: More Exchanges, Greater Inclusiveness and Cooperation".