Xinhua Insight: Chinese entrepreneurs find new role -- in diplomacy

Chinese entrepreneurs have accompanied state leaders on many official visits in the past year, promoting their businesses and China's image as well.

When President Xi Jinping visited the United States in September, his delegation included 15 business executives, many from the Internet sector.

Selfies taken by the entrepreneurs with their American peers went viral when they were posted on the social media, adding a light tone to the high and cold diplomacy, and sparking confidence among Chinese netizens of the country's rising economic power.

Entrepreneurs were also among Xi's entourage when he visited Britain in October.

Among them was Wang Hongzhang, chairman of China Construction Bank (CCB). He witnessed the opening of a CCB branch in London.

Finance is a key part of Sino-British cooperation. China has set up an RMB clearing bank in London. Britain became the first country outside Asia to obtain the RQFII initial investment quota, the first Western country to issue RMB-denominated sovereign bond and the first major developed country to include RMB into its foreign exchange reserves.

Sun Taoran, the founder of China's e-payment service company Lakala, inked an agreement with Britain's largest bill payment service company Allpay Limited during Xi's visit. They will work together to establish a cross-border financial service platform.

Other entrepreneurs have their shining moments as well.

Wang Chuanfu, chair of Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD witnessed his company signing a 660-million-pound (about 1 billion U.S. dollars) deal with British bus builder Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) to introduce electric buses to the roads of Britain.

China General Nuclear (CGN) and Electricite de France (EDF) signed an agreement to jointly construct and operate nuclear power plants in Britain. He Yu, chair of CGN, told Xinhua that the deal would promote the exportation of Chinese nuclear facilities to high-end markets in Europe and provide opportunities for Chinese firms to get fully involved in the development of Britain's nuclear power industry.

Aside from inking huge deals with foreign companies, these entrepreneurs were also busy letting their voices be heard on the world's diplomatic stage.

At the eighth U.S.-China Internet Industry Forum where President Xi Jinping met around 30 Chinese and American Internet entrepreneurs in Seattle, Jack Ma, chair of Alibaba, was invited to speak first. Ma took the opportunity to speak as an "image ambassador" for China.

His speech covered two important points: Why China's economy is trust worthy, and what role enterprises can play in exchanges between China and the United States.

During Xi's visit to Britain, Ma was appointed by British Prime Minister David Cameron as a business advisor. The later was impressed by Ma's altruistic approach to business. Ma believes that in the data age, an enterprise can become stronger by helping others to be stronger.

Cameron quoted Ma in his speech at a Britain-China business forum, saying the relationship between China and Britain should also follow the altruistic model.

Wang Zhile, head of the Beijing New Century Academy on Transnational Corporations, said while it was not rare for entrepreneurs to join state visits, "more private entrepreneurs were invited in 2015 year."

"This indicates that the government fully recognizes the contribution made by the private enterprises to economic development," Wang said.

"Just like multinational companies the world over, Chinese enterprises are also exploring global distribution, the global value chain, and the integration of global resources," he said.

"The entrepreneurs' visits will give enterprises exposure to the most updated methods and patterns of their competitors," Wang said.

Zhao Yumin, deputy director of the Institute of Commodity Research of the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation under the Ministry of Commerce, said that the entrepreneurs represented more sectors this year.

"The entrepreneurs [...] have a desire to go abroad since they have been equipped with sound global operation ability and international competitiveness," Zhao said.

"They hope to ensure favorable business environments thanks to the high-level visits," Zhao said.

"And for the country's economic diplomacy, China is developing the strategy from foreign aid to business cooperation," she said. "Thus, the entrepreneurs' visits will benefit China's diplomacy." Endi