On September 2, 2014, the launching ceremony of the Global Emergency Call Center for Consular Protection and Services of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was held in Beijing. Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the launching ceremony and inaugurated the Call Center.

Wang Yi said that the Call Center opens up a green channel of consular protection and services between overseas Chinese citizens and the motherland. The "12308" hotline is a "kinship hotline" that connects the government and the people through this green channel of the Call Center. Through the Call Center, we can get to know the difficulties and needs of overseas Chinese citizens at any time and provide care and assistance for them when needed, which will genuinely ensure that China's consular protection and services extend to wherever our compatriots go.

Wang Yi stressed that diplomatic work assumes the responsibility as a shelter from the storm for each compatriot living abroad to pursue their dreams. Under the leadership of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CCCPC) and the State Council, we will continue to work unremittingly to forge with full efforts an "enhanced edition" of consular protection and services. By strengthening concept mechanism, effort investment and international cooperation, we will weave an all-weather "safety network" with global coverage, so as to ensure that our compatriots, wherever they are, can get consular protection and services from the motherland in time.

Prior to the launching ceremony, Wang Yi met with the staff of the Call Center, and made a remote video call with the front desk operators. Members of the Foreign Ministry leadership, including Vice Foreign Minister Xie Hangsheng, Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Jianchao and Qian Hongshan, as well as relevant officials from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Ministry of Finance, and relevant persons in charge of China Minsheng Bank, the agent responsible for establishing and maintaining the calling services, attended the launching ceremony.