Editor's note: Strengthening Beijing's function as the center for international exchanges is a glorious mission entrusted to Beijing by the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core. In recent years, all districts in Beijing have earnestly implemented the general plan of Beijing Municipal Party Committee and leveraged their own advantages and resource endowments to advance tasks in improving Beijing's role as the center for international exchanges, making remarkable achievements and progress.

To set the stage for the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, Beijing Foreign Affairs Office opened a column called "All Districts in Beijing Improve the City's Role as the Center for International Exchanges and Achieve Fruitful Results" to display their progress and achievements. Built on past success, we will advance our cause and redouble efforts to promote the development of Beijing as the national capital in the new era.

In recent years, Chaoyang District has embraced the new development stage, pattern and philosophy and worked to accomplish the new mission, faithfully implemented China's overall strategy of opening-up, and spared no effort to serve Beijing's position as the "four centers". By seizing the opportunity of the "two zones" development, the district has focused on implementing opening-up policies that are in line with the international norms and transforming growth drivers. It has integrated into the global economy, carried out international cooperation, and improved its own environment, taking a solid step towards building a harmonious and livable district with extensive international influence and competitiveness.

More International Exchanges and Better Services

Chaoyang District has successfully served major events including the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations, and China International Fair for Trade in Services. It has held more than 50% of the international conferences and over 1/3 of the international exhibitions in Beijing.

Developing Open Economy

Chaoyang District has taken the lead in attracting foreign investment and kept strengthening its role as an international trade hub. Efforts have been made to ensure "two zones" projects are launched. There are a total of 477 "two zones" projects in Chaoyang District, 152 or 32% of which are foreign funded. Out of the 257 or 54% of the projects that have been implemented, 82 or 32% are foreign funded.

A Hub of World-class Resources

By carrying out opening-up policies in key areas, Chaoyang District has built up strengths in business services, financial investment, innovation and R&D, culture, media and other areas, accelerated the convergence of international high-end resources, and integrated into the global division of labor. It has attracted international financial organizations such as the International Monetary Fund and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, as well as well-known financial institutions such as Oaktree Capital and Coller Capital.

Highly Internationalized Key Functional Areas

The CBD, which has been enhancing its role as an international hub and making great efforts to gather international resources such as headquarters of multinational companies, has been incorporated into Beijing Pilot Free Trade Zone International Business Service Area along with Jinzhan International Cooperation Service Zone of Chaoyang District. The status of the district as a hub for international business has been further consolidated and it has ranked the seventh place in the world in terms of commercial attractiveness. The Zhongguancun Chaoyang International Venture Capital Cluster has been established, gathering a number of well-known international venture capital institutions such as Hillhouse, ZhenFund, and Sequoia Capital. The Olympic area has witnessed more international cultural and sports exchange activities and receiving more high-end industries. As the Asian Financial Center and Beijing Chengao came into operation, the district has further consolidated its advantages in international exchanges.

Comprehensively Improved International Business Environment

Chaoyang District has implemented the pilot policies of opening up the services sector, and introduced supporting policies for the headquarters economy, business services, science and technology, culture and other fields. It has deepened reforms and boosted service efficiency and set up the Investment Promotion Department of Beijing Central Business District to provide a full range of services for enterprises to settle in Beijing.

Building a Modern, International, and Livable City

Chaoyang District has accelerated the building of international talent communities and worked to provide international services for them to pursue development and innovation. Chaoyang has done a good job in offering amenities and cultural experience to foreign professionals. By leveraging the international fashion resources, it has promoted the upgrading of key shopping areas and brought in international brands to keep improving the international commercial environment. It has the best capacity for providing international education and supplying international medical resources in the city. By creating international exchange activities such as Beijing Chaoyang International Spring Carnival, the district has improved its international cultural environment.