International Organizations Supporting Beijing’s High-Quality Development (I)

Editor’s Note

International organizations serve as important platforms for gathering high-end resources. As Beijing works to improve its role as a center for international exchanges, it is essential to attract international organizations that align with the capital’s functions. In 2022, Beijing introduced the Measures to Support the Settlement of International Organizations, the first policy package of its kind in China. The measures aim to offer key international organizations butler-style services that cover all aspects of their operations, as well as the work and lives of their key personnel. A group of international organizations benefiting from these policies have leveraged their strengths to enhance Beijing’s role as a center for international exchanges, attract international high-end resources, and support distinctive local industries, thereby contributing to the high-quality development of the capital.

In July 2023, as the summer heat began to rise in Beijing, a refreshing “green ambiance” permeated the exhibition halls of the Daxing International Hydrogen Energy Demonstration Zone (hereinafter referred to as "the Demonstration Zone"). At the invitation of the International Hydrogen Fuel Cell Association (IHFCA), several experts from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and other international institutions visited the Demonstration Zone, experiencing the fruitful achievements of Beijing's hydrogen energy industry.

International experts experience driving simulation

Within the exhibition hall of the Hydrogen Energy Exchange Center, experts were briefed on advanced hydrogen energy technologies and applications across the entire industry chain, and engaged in discussions with staff on specific details from time to time. At the hydrogen vehicle driving simulation booth, they eagerly navigated hydrogen vehicles through the streets and lanes of future cities. "I hope to see more hydrogen vehicles cruising on roads soon," said Remy Ruat, Senior Climate Change Specialist at the GEF. At the Hypower hydrogen refueling station which boasts the highest daily hydrogen refueling volume globally, experts were impressed by the bustling scene of refueling activities, and praised the development of the hydrogen energy industry in the Demonstration Zone. Hannah Fairbank, Senior Biodiversity Specialist at the GEF, remarked, "Beijing's hydrogen energy industry has achieved remarkable results. I believe that the city's mature demonstration experience and established market will set a global standard for hydrogen energy application!"

2023 Hydrogen Fuel Cell Passenger Car Parade, co-hosted by IHFCA and China Society of Automotive Engineers (China SAE)

This enthusiastic scene epitomizes the regular collaboration between the IHFCA and the Demonstration Zone. As one of the first international organizations that have benefited from the Measures to Support the Settlement of International Organizations, the IHFCA has received significant supported from Beijing in recent years, resulting in a 25% surge in the number of its international members and a more internationalized profile. With enhanced capacity for global governance and influence in the industry, the IHFCA has become the first Category A Liaison headquartered in Asia with the International Organization for Standardization's Hydrogen Technologies Technical Committee (ISO/TC197).

International Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Industry Collaboration and Exchange Conference Held in the Demonstration Zone

As an international organization based in Beijing, the IHFCA leverages its resources and channels to create a platform for Beijing’s hydrogen energy industry to  engage in international exchanges and cooperation, thereby supporting the high-quality development of the capital. The Demonstration Zone, with more than 190 companies in the industry, stands as a key functional area for the development of Beijing’s hydrogen energy industry and the largest cluster of hydrogen energy enterprises in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. Through various channels, the IHFCA facilitates connections between enterprises within the Demonstration Zone and their domestic and international counterparts. It has attracted a number of important international conferences to be held at the Demonstration Zone, including the International Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Industry Collaboration and Exchange Conference, elevating the profile of the Demonstration Zone in the global hydrogen energy industry. Wang Ju, Secretary General of the IHFCA said, "The IHFCA is privileged to witness the rapid development of Beijing's hydrogen energy industry. Looking ahead, we will keep in mind the relevant plans and goals for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in Beijing as we consolidate high-quality resources as an international sci-tech organization to support the development of Beijing's hydrogen energy industry.

Moving forward, Beijing will give full play to the international organization task force of the Leading Group for Improving Beijing's Role as the Center for International Exchanges, and continuously enhance the policy framework to attract international organizations. The aim is to enable more international organizations that align with the development needs of Beijing to register, stay, and develop in Beijing, effectively serving the high-quality development of the capital.

Further reading

The International Hydrogen Fuel Cell Association (IHFCA) is a non-governmental international organization initiated by China SAE, Faurecia, and other enterprises. It aims to promote global cooperation in the field of hydrogen energy and fuel cells, optimize international technical standards and regulations, and drive technological advancement and commercialization of hydrogen energy and fuel cells worldwide. The IHFCA was registered with the Ministry of Civil Affairs as an international social organization in July 2022, with its headquarters located in Beijing. Currently, it has 95 members, including industry associations, enterprises, and professional institutions from various countries and regions across the entire industry chain of hydrogen fuel cells.