2018 marks the 40th  anniversary of China's reform and opening up, as well as the 5th  anniversary of General Secretary Xi Jinping's Belt and Road Initiative. Building on the momentum of the successful  forum last year, the 2nd  "21st Century Maritime Silk Road" China (Guangdong) International Communication Forum will be held from September 19 to September 21  in Zhuhai City, Guangdong Province, in order to implement the Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the spirit of the 19th  National Congress of the Communist Party of China, actively respond to the Belt and Road Initiative, deepen opening-up and strengthen international exchanges and cooperation by giving full play to Guangdong's advantages of large-scale economic and trade cooperation and close people-to-people exchanges with countries along the Maritime Silk Road.

The forum is hosted by the China Media Group and the People's Government of Guangdong, sponsored by the Information Office of the People's Government of Guangdong and the People’s Government of Zhuhai  with the theme of "New Era, New Silk Road, New Image". It focuses on Guangdong's brand image buiding and brand communication, scientific and technological innovation, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development and other popular topics, as well as the experience and achievements of the economic and trade contacts, cultural exchanges and international cooperation among countries along the Maritime Silk Road. There is one master forum, namely the “21st  Century Maritime Silk Road” China (Guangdong) International Communication Forum, and three parallel forums, on Brand Communication of Guangdong, Scientific and Technological Innovation and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. The 2018 Action Report on Chinese (Guangdong) Companies Going Global along the Belt and Road will be issued during the Forum.

Distinguished guests such as former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin and the 2011 Nobel Laureate in Economics Thomas Sargent will attend the forum and deliver speeches. Heads of relevant Chinese agencies, officials from foreign consulates-general in Guangzhou, representatives of well-known enterprises along the Road, world-renowned experts and scholars, and senior media executives will participate in this forum.