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.

By coordinating resources, Haidian District stays committed to improving its service for major state events, gathering international high-end resources at a faster pace, promoting international exchanges and improving the environment for doing so, so as to contribute to Beijing's role as a center for international exchanges up to high standards.

1. Focus on major foreign activities and improve service support

Haidian has delivered quality services to major events such as the 2022 Winter Olympic Games and the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse (DSG), improved the mechanism, and strengthened service support for diplomatic activities. By sorting out the economic, scientific and technological, cultural and tourism resources of the entire district, it has also built a project pool of foreign-related reception resources.

President of Argentina visits Huawei's exhibition center in Beijing

Haidian has engaged in the preparations for the Winter Olympic Games and held test events for the "Experience Beijing" - A Series of Winter Sport Events such as those for ice hockey, the Asian Open Figure Skating Trophy, and the ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating, providing sound services throughout the Winter Olympic Games and the Winter Paralympic Games.

First Lady of the Republic of Mali visits the school in Haidian

2. Build international exchange platforms to pool global resources

The district has played an active part in staging the ZGC Forum, making it an all-in-one international forum for exchanges, seminars, releases, exhibitions and trade. The permanent forum venue was designed and built with international standards, exemplifying Zhongguancun's philosophy on sci-tech innovation, integration of traditional culture, and natural and green environment.

ZGC Forum is held

The Night of Haidian at the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) was hosted to carry out online and offline dialogues with guests from around the world on the theme of Digital Intelligence Empowering New Growth of Health And Medical Services, with diplomatic envoys from 10 countries like the UK and Israel present.

The Night of Haidian at CIFTIS is hosted

Haidian has continued to tap into the historic and cultural value of the "Three Hills and Five Gardens" as well as the resources of city renewal to nurture new highlights in building venues for diplomatic activities.

"Zhongguancun Power" has been leveraged to grow such competitive areas as smart manufacturing, AI, medicine and health, and integrated circuits. Support was given to the construction of new R&D institutions like the Beijing Academy of Artificial Intelligence (BAAI) and the ultra-large AI simulation and training platform to create a world-class ecosystem for innovation.

Centering on Haidian's position as the core area of sci-tech innovation, 39 cases of institutional innovation came to fruition, of which two were promoted nationwide and five citywide. By the 2nd anniversary of the "two zones", the number of new foreign-funded projects, signed deals, and new foreign-invested companies totaled 208, 170, and 3042, respectively.

Z-Park International Talent Reception Hall

A whole-process platform was created to attract more high-caliber overseas talents in innovation. Efforts were intensified to build an international talent community in the Zhongguancun Science City, special demonstration zones, Z-Park International Talent Reception Hall, and Talent Service Station. Government services for foreigners were made more convenient, with entry and exit services for foreigners available at the Northern Zhongguancun Science City Business Service Center, enabling global professionals to apply for both residence permits and work permits at the same time.

3. Strengthen friendly communication for opening up and development

By virtue of the sister city relationships with Olympia, Greece, Savonlinna, Finland, and Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Korea, and by friendly ties with cities and regions around the world, such as Nerima-ku, Tokyo, Japan, and Lansing, Michigan, USA, cooperation has been promoted in the fields of trade, science and technology, education, culture, and sports.

Haidian District and Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Korea sign sister-city relationship agreement

Haidian has initiated exchanges and cooperation in such fields as science and technology, trade, education and culture, and held brand events such as Diplomats in Science City, Global Business Opportunities, Dialogues Between Haidian Education and the World, and Asian Digital Art Exhibition to create a diverse international cultural atmosphere.

Haidian-Lansing Education Forum

4. Improve public services and the international exchange environment

With a larger supply of international education, a more internationalized environment, and higher-quality programs run by international schools or both Chinese and foreign educational institutions, an international education resource layout has taken shape, characterized by complete categories, rational distribution, adequate education opportunities, and district-wide coverage.

To implement the Regulations of Beijing Municipality on Improving the Language Environment for International Exchanges, efforts have been stepped up to examine and rectify the incorrectly translated signs, thereby enhancing the international language environment of the region.

The fourth offline activity of the "Foreign Language Signage Improvement Month" event

Landmarks of the night-time economy have been built to attract brands to open their first stores. Business districts such as Gongzhufen, Wudaokou and Zhongguancun Plaza have been upgraded. A number of international smart communities and business districts have been built, such as Huaxi LIVE·Wukesong.