On the afternoon of October 14, Yin Li, Secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, met with a delegation led by Merlin Swire, CEO of the UK-based Swire Group.

Yin Li noted that Beijing has achieved sustained and stable economic growth in recent years, characterized by robust technological innovation, an accelerated shift toward high quality consumption, and greater convenience in international exchanges. The city’s 15th Five-Year Plan, currently under formulation, will further highlight the following priorities: pursuing innovation-driven development by fostering and expanding new quality productive forces such as AI, bio-pharmaceuticals, and commercial aerospace; expanding domestic demand and accelerating the development of consumption hubs that integrates culture, commerce, tourism and sports; improving urban quality through renewal projects to make good use of existing resources; and deepening opening up by offering more facilitation measures for cross-border investment and financing. Swire Group, one of the earliest foreign-invested enterprises to enter China, has remained deeply committed to the Chinese market and expanded its investment in the country. He hoped that the Swire Group would refine its operations in Beijing with more iconic commercial projects and actively participate in Beijing’s development as an international consumption center. To this end, Swire is encouraged to leverage its global consumer network to attract more international brands to launch their first branch and new products in Beijing, cultivate diversified business forms tailored to local consumption habits and growing preference for quality offerings to better meet the demand of various consumer groups. Efforts should also be intensified in the aviation market by increasing Beijing-Hong Kong flight frequencies, improving cargo and passenger service quality, and integrating with Beijing’s Capital International Airport and Daxing International Airport for further development. Additionally, the group is encouraged to expand investment in emerging sectors and deepen cooperation with Beijing-based innovative enterprises to generate more win-win opportunities.

Merlin Swire expressed his gratitude for Beijing’s strong support for Swire Group’s business in the city. He stated that Beijing is a city with extraordinary charm, boasting vibrant scientific and technological innovation as well as a comfortable and convenient modern life. He also voiced full confidence in the city’s development prospects. Swire Group will seize new opportunities in Beijing, continue to expand investment, and contribute to improving the city’s environmental quality and building Beijing into an international consumption center.

Municipal leaders Xia Linmao, Zhao Lei and Tang Wenhong attended the meeting.