On 27 December 2024, WeCarbon's China Partner Ms. Mia Zheng was invited to teach on the "Government Affairs and Public Relations Training Course" organized by the Shanghai Foreign Investment Association (SFIA). Speaking on "How GA (Government Affairs) Can Drive ESG Development at Foreign-Invested Companies in China", she gave participants a rich and lively session.
The SFIA has held the "Government Affairs and Public Relations Training Course" every year since 2020 to help government affairs and public relations professionals at foreign-invested companies build their knowledge and practical skills. Tutors and participants discuss how foreign-invested companies can better adapt to China's policy environment and social needs and localize their sustainability strategies.
Starting from the basic concepts of ESG, and drawing on China's policy context and key issues in ESG with Chinese characteristics, Ms. Zheng examined in depth the role and key function of GA/GR (government affairs/government relations) departments in the ESG strategies of foreign-invested companies. With a deep understanding of China's policy direction and cultural characteristics, GA/GR departments can help companies set practical ESG strategies, ensuring that foreign-invested companies meet headquarters requirements while staying aligned with China's strategic policy direction, building a good public image and improving their market competitiveness, and so achieving long-term sustainable development. Ms. Zheng pointed out that a foreign-invested company's government affairs department is not only a bridge for interpreting policy but also an important force for turning plans into action.
Figure 2: Ms. Mia Zheng teaching
From policy interpretation to practical guidance, Ms. Zheng drew on her extensive ESG theory and practice to offer clear direction and solutions for ESG development at foreign-invested companies.
On 2 January 2025, the sixth week of the Fourth Training Programme for Young and Middle-Aged Cadres of China National Chemical Engineering (CNCEC) took place at Peking University. Ms. Zheng was invited to lead the "ESG Investment and Financing Module", giving 52 young and middle-aged cadres systematic theoretical instruction and practical guidance.
The 50-day programme was commissioned by China National Chemical Engineering Group Corporation Ltd. (a central enterprise directly supervised by SASAC of the State Council) to strengthen the development of young cadres and comprehensively raise the capabilities of CNCEC's leaders. Focusing closely on the new circumstances, tasks and challenges facing the group's high-quality development, it explores concrete pathways for corporate strategic planning and transformation, with in-depth analysis of ESG management, corporate public opinion management and corporate digitalization.
Figure 3: Ms. Mia Zheng teaching
Figure 4: Ms. Mia Zheng teaching
Ms. Zheng also explained how ESG creates value for different kinds of companies, defining transition frontrunners from the perspectives of central and state-owned enterprises, listed and pre-IPO companies, and companies going global, and discussed how ESG strengthens industrial chains. Combining theoretical depth with practical relevance, the course helped participants find new ideas and methods for applying ESG investment and financing at central SOEs.
Figure 5: Training session at Peking University
Approaching the subject from different angles, GA/GR practice at foreign-invested companies and ESG investment and financing pathways for central SOEs, Ms. Zheng's two courses together showed the central role of ESG in corporate sustainable development and helped practitioners gain a full grasp of the ESG framework and its application in China's policy environment.
Going forward, WeCarbon will continue to promote the localized practice of ESG strategy and knowledge sharing, offer foreign-invested companies and local businesses more comprehensive and systematic sustainability solutions, meet companies' growing need for sustainability knowledge, support high-quality corporate development and contribute further to achieving the Sustainability goals.