On September 27, 2008, Assistant Foreign Minister Wu Hongbo attended the Workshop on "Overseas Chinese Affairs and the 30th Anniversary of Reform and Opening Up, which was jointly organized by Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council and other four related agencies. Wan Gang, Vice-Chairman of the CPPCC National Committee attended and addressed the workshop.

Assistant Foreign Minister Wu Hongbo delivered a keynote speech on the "Role of Overseas Chinese in Carrying out the People-to-People Diplomacy and in Dealing with Taiwan Affairs. Wu spoke highly of the unique and positive role overseas Chinese played in supporting China's diplomatic work, strengthening friendly relations between China and other countries, promoting exchanges and cooperation between the Chinese people and people of other countries, and supporting China's reunification cause. Overseas Chinese were active participants and strong proponents of the people-to-people diplomacy, basic teams "opposing independence and promoting reunification," and important forces promoting the peaceful development of cross-strait relations. Wu said that overseas Chinese affairs were facing major development opportunities and complex challenges. “We should proceed from strategic perspectives of long-term development and building a harmonious world, take the scientific outlook on development as the guidance, cherish, seize, and make good use of the opportunities to advance Overseas Chinese affairs in an orderly way.”