The plenary session of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Beijing Municipal Committee (the "Foreign Affairs Committee") was held on the morning of March 16. Yin Li, Secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee and Head of the Foreign Affairs Committee, presided over the meeting. Yin Yong, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, Mayor of Beijing, and Deputy Head of the Foreign Affairs Committee; and Liu Wei, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee and Deputy Head of the Foreign Affairs Committee, attended the meeting.

The meeting pointed out that it is necessary to study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, and to follow the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee on foreign affairs both in thinking and action. It called for a deeper insight into the new circumstances and tasks facing foreign affairs work, a focus on what is unfolding in China and the world, and efforts to push Beijing's foreign affairs work to a new level in the highest standards while pursuing the development of the capital in the new era.

The meeting stressed the need to better serve the foreign affairs work of the Party and the country, necessitating efforts to promote the guidelines of the 20th CPC National Congress; showcase how Beijing has practiced Chinese modernization through vivid examples and facts; foster greater understanding and friendship towards China among foreigners; and carry out a new phase of the action plan to advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

It was emphasized at the meeting to further improve Beijing's role as a center for international exchanges. To this end, work should be done in the following areas: increasing comprehensive capacity year after year with a focus on key areas and major projects; upgrading the overall function of the Yanqi Lake International Convention Center; and pushing forward the planning and construction of the China National Convention Center Phase II, the fourth embassy zone, and the New China International Exhibition Center Phase II and III. Efforts should also be intensified to encourage key international organizations that go along with the capital's functions to settle in Beijing through more powerful "three platforms" - China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), ZGC Forum, and Financial Street Forum. A more enabling international environment and services, plus higher-quality international education and medical services, will help create a high-class global talent community. By leveraging the advantages of the "Dual Olympic City", signature events, such as Beijing International Film Festival, China Open, and Beijing Marathon, will be held to enhance Beijing's international influence and cultural soft power.

Another point underlined was to boost the high-quality socio-economic development of the capital with greater openness. The synergy of foreign affairs work and the "five key projects" will be strengthened, and visits to Beijing will be arranged for entrepreneurs and investment institutions to shore up the confidence of foreign investors. The building of the "two zones" will gain full support, and the industrial and supply chains in key areas will become more stable. Supporting policies will be maximized to encourage more regional headquarters, R&D centers, and international functional platforms to settle in Beijing. Deepening international sci-tech and industrial cooperation will help Beijing better utilize overseas high-end innovation resources in the "three science cities and one hi-tech area". To promote vibrant foreign exchanges, it is important to tell Beijing's story well and present the city's image that is open, inclusive, innovative, and dynamic.

The meeting called for strengthening the Party's overall leadership over foreign affairs work. To this end, the Foreign Affairs Committee will take the lead, Beijing Foreign Affairs Office will improve coordination, and all member institutions, districts, and departments will fulfill their respective tasks. Additionally, measures will be taken to strengthen education and management, so as to build up a foreign affairs team that is politically steadfast, professionally competent, and highly disciplined.

The meeting reviewed issues like the priorities of the Foreign Affairs Committee in 2023, and deliberated in writing its work report in 2022 and the proposed list of members.

Municipal leaders Sun Meijun, Mo Gaoyi, Xia Linmao, and Zhao Lei, as well as Mu Peng, Secretary General of the Beijing Municipal People's Government, attended the meeting.

(Reporters: Qi Mengzhu, Liu Feifei)