On the morning of June 26, a special session was convened to discuss enhancing Beijing’s role as the center for international exchanges. This session was part of a series of press conferences centered around “Beijing’s Implementation of the Guiding Principles of the 20th CPC National Congress”. Xiong Jiuling, Director General of the Office of Foreign Affairs Committee of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee and Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality, highlighted that Beijing has been dedicated to its mission of establishing itself as a unique and globally influential center for international exchanges. This commitment has been driven by two key principles “serving China’s overall diplomacy” and “supporting the capital’s high-quality development”. The city has actively pursued a path that reflects distinct characteristics of the times, Chinese characteristics, and Beijing’s features. This endeavor has led to significant improvement in five capacities.
The first improvement is in the ability to ensure quality services. Beijing has excelled in delivering top-notch services for General Secretary Xi Jinping’s major diplomatic initiatives. The city took the lead in establishing a comprehensive support system for head-of-state diplomacy, and consistently refined the regular service support mechanism for major state events. Over the past five years, the city has received 605 delegations of Party and state dignitaries, amounting to nearly 12,000 individuals. High-quality services were offered at more than 10 major diplomatic events, such as the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. Particularly notable was Beijing’s role during the Beijing Winter Olympics, where the city provided high-quality reception services for foreign dignitaries and heads of international organizations. It marked a new milestone in the service support for major diplomatic events under closed-loop management.
The second improvement is in comprehensive carrying capacity. Beijing continuously bolstered key areas and infrastructure to enhance international exchanges, following the spatial layout known as the “One Core, Two Axes and Multiple Areas”. Ongoing efforts were made to regulate the targeted zones around traditional venues for state events, such as Tian’anmen Square and Zhongnanhai. The city has worked to improve the international exchange capabilities of Chang’an Avenue and its extensions, and northward extension of the central axis, as well as design and implement the plan for the southern segment of the central axis. Yanqi Lake International Convention Center witnessed an upgrade in both capacity and quality, and the construction of the fourth embassy zone commenced. Moreover, Beijing Daxing International Airport marked its inaugural flight, the Universal Beijing Resort opened to the public, and venues for Beijing Winter Olympics made a debut such as the National Speed Skating Oval, also known as the “Ice Ribbon”. Three cultural landmarks in Beijing Municipal Administrative Center, including a theatre, a library, and a museum, reached completion. With these remarkable achievements, Beijing boasted richer international exchanges and improved functions.
The third improvement is in development facilitation. A total of 54 companies in Beijing have been listed on the Fortune Global 500, securing the top spot among global cities for ten consecutive years. Beijing is home to 226 regional headquarters of multinational corporations and houses a total of 50,000 foreign-funded enterprises. The Beijing China-Japan Innovation & Cooperation Demonstration Zone and the Beijing China-Germany Industrial Park have signed more than 100 international cooperation projects. A series of measures have been introduced to facilitate the launch of international organizations in Beijing. China’s first cluster of headquarters for international scientific and technological organizations was established in Beijing, attracting entities like the Global Music Education League, International Commercial Dispute Prevention and Settlement Organization, Global Alliance for Trade in Services, and World Internet Conference. This effort has led to an impressive tally of 113 registered international organizations now operating within Beijing.
The fourth improvement is in external exchanges. Through continuous efforts to consolidate and expand international friendship, Beijing has developed 260 sister cities at the municipal and district levels. It has also enhanced platforms that foster sister-city exchanges and cooperation, such as the Beijing-Seoul joint commission. During the pandemic, the city donated supplies to 55 cities and regions in 27 countries and worked with 83 cities in 44 countries to fight the pandemic.
The fifth improvement is in shaping the city’s image. Beijing has planned the layout of 106 international schools, with 20 new ones successfully launched. The city witnessed the launch of eight international medical pilot institutions, including Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Eight international talent communities including Zhongguancun Science City and E-Town are under construction at a faster pace. Beijing took the lead in issuing the regulations on improving the language environment for international exchanges and achieved a coverage rate of 85% for foreign-language service windows in government service centers throughout the city.
(Reporter: Fan Junsheng)
