Editor's Note: Strengthening the role as the center for international exchanges is a glorious mission entrusted by the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core to Beijing. Districts across the city have faithfully implemented the overall plan by the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, and made concerted efforts in view of their respective strong edges in location and resources in pushing ahead with relevant tasks and achieved impressive results.
To celebrate the success of the 20th CPC National Congress, the official WeChat account of the Beijing Foreign Affairs Office (WeChat ID: bjszfwb) posted a collection of "Highlights in Strengthening Beijing's Role as the Center for International Exchanges by Each District", showcasing the progress and achievements made by each district in related tasks and how they will build on past successes to further advance the capital city's development in the new era.
Relying on its position as an ecological conservation area, Mentougou District taps into its regional development features and cultural and natural resources to improve Beijing's role as a center for international exchanges and carry out foreign exchanges and cooperation, thus contributing to Beijing's development in the new era with high standards.
Improve the carrying capacity for international exchanges
The Menda railway line and reuse of four discarded mines connected by the railway line will be conducted to high standards, turning the old energy and heavy industry base into a cultural, tourism and recreational resort with both lush mountains, lucid water and industrial heritage. The High-Level Steering Committee Meeting of UN Global Compact Action Platform on "Sustainable Infrastructure for the Belt and Road Initiative to Accelerate the SDGs" was successfully held in Mentougou, showcasing that the Mentougou boutique guesthouses are capable of accommodating foreign-related events. With support from the Palace Museum, the Jinyu Liuli Cultural and Creative Industry Park will be built into an all-in-one venue for international exchanges, exhibition, research and study of intangible cultural heritage, as well as for cultural and creative activities and office use. As the district plans to host the 13th Beijing International Mountain Walking Festival, Mentougou is building itself into an international destination for mountain tourism and mountain sports.
Expand international exchanges with sister cities
To expand the channels of friendly exchanges, the Agreement on Strengthening Exchanges and Cooperation was signed with Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, Beijing's sister city in South Korea, to cooperate on Covid-19 response and look for mutually beneficial projects in smart healthcare and other areas. A video conference was held with Bottrop, Ruhr area, Germany, to promote industrial cooperation. Also, Mentougou continues to conduct international cultural exchanges, such as hosting the "Sri Lanka Culture Week in Beijing", and inviting teenagers from sister cities to participate in the 2022 "Colorful World" International Youth Painting Invitational Exhibition. All these have enhanced mutual understanding and friendship and promoted people-to-people exchanges.
Extend regional and global influence
By exploring its features in ecological conservation, Mentougou showcased its intangible cultural heritage products, such as colored glaze (liuli) firing skill, Tanzhe purple inkstones carving skill, Jingxi Taiping drum dance, and Beijing embroidery (jingxiu) at the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS). Surveys were made and group discussions were organized to understand the needs of foreigners in their daily life and work. The district also worked with government service hotline 12345 to identify the incorrect foreign language public signs reported by citizens to improve the international language environment.
Develop the open economy at a faster pace
To serve the development of key functional areas such as Beijing Jingxi Demonstration Zone for Industrial Transformation and Upgrading and the New Shougang High-end Industry Comprehensive Service Park, Mentougou has adopted 31 policies targeted at its position as the ecological conservation zone to attract high-quality resources, and 33 new foreign-funded enterprises have been established. Large consumption complexes such as the Financial Street Joy Place and the FUNWORLD World City Outlet Center were built to ramp up the first-store economy, and over 100 first-stores at municipal and regional levels as well as tax-refund shops were introduced to Mentougou, which has promoted the upgrading of consumer brands in the district.
Enhance global standing of industries
With Zhongguancun Mentougou Sub-park leading the sci-tech innovation, Mentougou has deepened strategic cooperation with leading enterprises such as ZGC Group, Huawei, CR Pharmaceutical, and Beijing Jingdiao Group to strengthen the development of niche sectors like AI, cardiovascular medical devices, and UHD digital audio-visual technology. In addition, it has nurtured 69 specialized and sophisticated enterprises that produce new and unique products, among which four are national "little giants". Beijing Jingdiao Group was selected as one of the first 20 "hidden champions" in Beijing.
