On the evening of March 22, the “Beijing Night” Reception of China Development Forum 2026 was held at the China National Convention Center Phase II. Attendees included 75 global executives of multinational corporations, 11 heads of international organizations, and 21 diplomatic envoys to China from 11 countries. Yin Li, Secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, delivered a speech. Also in attendance were Lu Hao, Director of the Development Research Center of the State Council, and Yin Yong, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee and Mayor of Beijing.

Yin Li extended a warm welcome to both old and new friends present. He noted that this year marks the first year for implementing the 15th Five-Year Plan. The Chinese government has formulated the Outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan and rolled out a series of major policies, reform measures, and key projects. As the capital of China, Beijing serves as an important window through which the international community observes the country. In recent years, Beijing has achieved sound and robust economic growth, marked by higher quality, greater efficiency, and better performance. Over the past five years, the city’s Gross Regional Product (GRP) grew at an average annual rate of 5.2%. In 2025, it increased by 5.4% to reach 5.2 trillion yuan. The city’s per capita GRP and labor productivity both ranked first nationwide. Sci-tech innovation and industrial innovation have been deeply integrated, new quality productive forces are gaining strong momentum, and the market remains dynamic. Opening up and cooperation have been deepened across the board. The city has become more livable, more attractive to visitors, and more business-friendly. Underpinned by effective urban governance, Beijing has maintained social harmony and stability, emerging as one of the safest cities in the world.

Yin Li stated that during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, Beijing will strive to lead the nation in basically achieving socialist modernization, and accelerate efforts to build the Beijing (Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei) International Center for Science and Technology Innovation and a global leader in the digital economy. The city is ready to work with all parties, leveraging its development as a global consumption center to deepen integrated development across the cultural, commercial, tourism, sports, and exhibition industries, better connecting local and national markets with global resources, and jointly creating new opportunities for economic and trade cooperation. Drawing on its strengths in education, science and technology, and talent, Beijing will strive for breakthroughs in core technologies, strengthen intellectual property protection, scale up application of new scenarios, and create new opportunities for sci-tech cooperation. Pilot reforms for the market-based allocation of production factors will be deepened to build up emerging industrial clusters and jointly create new opportunities for industrial cooperation. Beijing will enhance the capacity of the two international aviation hubs (Beijing Daxing International Airport and Beijing Capital International Airport), fully leverage cooperation platforms such as the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), and further advance the development of the Integrated National Demonstration Zone for Greater Openness in the Services Sector and the China (Beijing) Pilot Free Trade Zone, in an effort to bring new opportunities for opening up and cooperation. Beijing will adhere to the principles of market orientation, rule of law, facilitation, and internationalization, continue to foster a world-class business environment, and strengthen its position as a premier global investment destination. The city warmly welcomes businesses from around the world to invest and expand their presence in Beijing to jointly embrace a brighter future.

Tim Cook, Co-Chair of the China Development Forum 2026 and CEO of Apple Inc., expressed his gratitude to Beijing in his speech for its longstanding support for the development of multinational corporations in the city. Observing that we are living in an era of immense opportunity, he noted that collaboration, candid exchanges, and joint efforts toward common goals have once again generated tremendous energy and boosted confidence to an unprecedented level. Looking ahead, the business and investment communities stand ready to join hands with partners across China, build more bridges for cooperation, and open up broader prospects for development.

During the event, Chinese and foreign guests toured exhibition zones, themed “Beijing Speed”, “Beijing Intelligence”, “Beijing Heritage”, and “Beijing Splendor”, where they viewed exhibits including new energy vehicles, sci-tech innovation products, local handicrafts, and Beijing Gifts souvenirs. The gathering provided a valuable opportunity for the guests to renew friendships, explore cooperation, and envision future development, followed by wonderful cultural performances.

The event was also attended by leaders from the Development Research Center of the State Council and the Beijing Municipality, officials of relevant municipal departments and districts, China executives of multinational corporations and international organizations, as well as heads of some Chinese enterprises.