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.

Based on its position as an eco-conservation area, Yanqing is quickening its pace to improve Beijing's role as the center for international exchanges and keeps building its capacity for external exchanges by capitalizing on its advantages as the site of the Great Wall, the International Horticultural Exhibition 2019, and the 2022 Beijing Olympic Winter Games.

I. Pool International High-end Resources and Carry out International Sports and Cultural Exchanges

Yanqing has hosted alpine skiing and the sliding events of bobsled and luge, making all-out efforts to deliver quality service for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. To carry forward the Olympic human spirit, the Yanqing Olympic Zone was open to the public, becoming the third IOC-approved "Olympic" zone in Beijing after the Beijing Olympic Park and the Beijing Winter Olympic Park.

Yanqing Zone

A world-class training and competition base has been built to host more international events. The Beijing Institute for International Olympic Studies was established. Yanqing has bid for the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup and facilitated the signing of the MOU signed by five parties, including the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF), and started to hold regular IBSF events. To ensure the sustained development of the winter sports industry, Yanqing has not only incorporated the core competition zones into the Beijing-Zhangjiakou Sports Culture and Tourism Belt Construction Plan (2021-2035), but also ramped up the construction of the Zhongguancun (Yanqing) Sports Science and Technology Frontier Technology Innovation Center, a platform to nurture sports businesses.

II. Leverage Resources to Enhance the Capacity to Serve Total Diplomacy

Guided by proper planning, Yanqing formulated the Beijing Yanqing District Foreign-Related Work Development Plan for the 14th Five-Year Plan Period. A series of events have been rolled out, such as "Join Us in 2022 - Winter Olympic Theme Event for SCO Diplomatic Missions to China", and the light show at the Great Wall to celebrate the 70th anniversary of China-Pakistan diplomatic relations. Support was also provided for diplomats from 14 countries, including New Zealand and Namibia, to participate in the "Wetland Tour for Diplomats in China" of the 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP14).

SCO Diplomatic Missions to China Visit the Yanqing Zone

By virtue of its resource endowments, Yanqing has hosted events like the International Horticultural Exhibition 2019, Beijing, China, three consecutive world-class Beijing International Garden Festivals, and the Second Lancang-Mekong Fruit Festival. In addition, Beijing Expo Park has expanded its functions and introduced activities such as the Strawberry Music Festival, making it a place for Chinese and foreign tourists to increase their environmental awareness and enjoy leisure and tourism.

The Second Lancang-Mekong Fruit Festival

III. Focus on Rural Revitalization and Open New Ground for International Cooperation

Yanqing has achieved preliminary consensus with China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) on cooperation in rural revitalization, which helps villages and towns to develop based on their characteristic industries. The in-depth cooperation in 17 projects in four fields, namely, ecological agriculture, herbal medicine, ecological tourism, and green food, has boosted rural revitalization by directly exporting local products.

CIDCA and Yanqing District Sign a Letter of Intent for Cooperation on Rural Revitalization

Driving the transformation of traditional farming villages and towns such as Lipao Village in Badaling Town, Yanqing showcased the achievements of rural revitalization and shared China's development experience and ecological conservation philosophy to foreign envoys to China, UN agencies, and African youth representatives at the 6th China-Africa Youth Gala.

Launching Ceremony of "Creating an Enabling Environment for People with Disabilities in Yanqing District"

Yanqing has set up partnership initiatives with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on "Creating an Enabling Environment for People with Disabilities in Yanqing District". A baking program, therefore, was introduced to Jiuxian County to empower disabled people.

IV. Expand Service Capacity and Continue to Improve International Language Environment

To promote and implement the Regulations of Beijing Municipality on Improving Language Environment for International Exchanges, a multi-stakeholder cooperation mechanism has been established, which calls for joint actions to rectify low-quality foreign language signs. There is also a regular inspection to ensure that the contents of all foreign language signs are standardized and correct, thus playing an exemplary role in improving the international language environment.

Checking Foreign Language Signs at the Badaling Great Wall Scenic Spot

Party members and officials in Yanqing are now required to learn about improving Beijing's role as a center for international exchanges, which has become a part of their training, to develop an international perspective. Campaigns will be rolled out to encourage the public to learn foreign languages. Online and offline programs will be offered to cultivate interdisciplinary talent, a step toward cultivating talent with foreign language proficiency.