Preface:
In 2024, districts of Beijing leveraged their unique strengths and foreign affairs resources to facilitate pragmatic exchanges in various forms. These efforts aim to serve the country’s overall diplomacy, improve Beijing’s role as a center for international exchanges, and support the capital’s diplomatic endeavors and high-quality development.
Let’s revisit the highlights of foreign affairs work in various districts in 2024!
Leveraging Regional Characteristics for the Country’s Overall Diplomacy
Xicheng District
Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore, Visits Shichahai Sub-district
#Keyword: High-Level Visit
A delegation led by Vivian Balakrishnan, Chairman of the External Relations Committee of the People’s Action Party and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore, toured the Jiugulou Community in Shichahai Sub-district, Xicheng District. The delegation explored the history of the Jiugulou community, the preservation of Central Axis culture, and its dedication to serving the people. Mr. Balakrishnan was impressed by the renovation of the old urban areas in Xicheng District and the efficient governance at the community level. He looked forward to strengthening exchanges and mutual learning in areas such as culture and primary-level governance to create a better future together.
Tongzhou District
International Friends Visit the BMC
#Keyword: International Friends
International friends attending the China International Friendship Conference and Events Marking the 70th Anniversary of CPAFFC (1954-2024) visited the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center (BMC). During their visit, they enjoyed a boat trip along the Grand Canal, toured the three cultural landmarks, and explored this rapidly emerging “city of the future”, experiencing the vibrancy of Beijing.
Pinggu District
“China-Africa Friendly Exchange - Beijing Pinggu Night” Opens
#Keyword: China-Africa
The “China-Africa Friendly Cooperation - Beijing Pinggu Night” event was held, bringing together diplomats from over 20 African countries, including Ethiopia, Angola, and Burkina Faso. Before the event, attendees conducted field visits to Beijing CP Egg Industry Co., Ltd., Peach Blossom Sea, Taoyuan Yizhan, Zixingyuan (Beijing) Food Technology Co., Ltd. and Bibo Island, to learn about local business development, ecological environment, and cultural fairs. They expressed hope to strengthen ties and friendship for mutually beneficial outcomes.
Yanqing District
Female Diplomats Board the “Train Bound for Spring”
#Keyword: Foreign Diplomats
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality, hosted a special spring-themed event. Nearly 50 female ambassadors and senior diplomats, along with over 70 foreign female journalists in China, were invited to board a “train bound for spring”. This excursion took them to Yanqing District, initiating a splendid spring journey that integrated Beijing’s natural beauty, history, culture, gardens, and Winter Olympics legacy.
Pooling Resources to Support the Capital’s High-quality Development
Dongcheng District
Foreign Journalists Visit Dongcheng District
#Keyword: Foreign Journalists
In the “Foreign Journalists Visit Beijing 2024 - Dongcheng District Special Event”, a total of 60 journalists from 55 countries, including Hungary, India, Malaysia, Cameroon, and Nigeria, visited Dongcheng. They explored the Dongzhimen Transportation Hub Economic Functional Zone, Zhongguancun BBMG Global Trade Technology and Business Zone, Longfusi Street, and Drum Tower, gaining a deep insight into the district’s fascinating history and culture, as well as its latest progress in high-quality development. Taking this opportunity, Dongcheng District has rolled out initiatives to attract investment, promoted its unique location and enabling environment for investors, and further boosted international exchanges and cooperation.
Shunyi District
China-Germany (China-Europe) Hidden Champions Forum 2024 Kicks Off
#Keyword: International Conference
The China-Germany (China-Europe) Hidden Champions Forum 2024 opened at the Beijing China-Germany International Conference and Exhibition Center in Shunyi District, as part of Beijing China-Germany Forum for Industrial Cooperation and Development. The event brought together nearly 100 political and business representatives, as well as heads of hidden champion enterprises in Germany and other European countries. More than 50 hidden champions and specialized, high-end, and innovation-driven businesses presented their unique offerings. During the Forum, the International Cooperation Center of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the DEZ German European Centre for SME Cooperation in China jointly released the China-Germany Hidden Champions Industrial Cooperation Research Report.
Changping District
2024 Global Energy Transition Conference Opens
#Keyword: International Conference
The 2024 Global Energy Transition Conference kicked off at the Future Science City in Changping District. The event featured the release of several key reports, including Progress Report on China’s Energy Revolution - Energy System Revolution (2024), 2024 Beijing Future Science City Energy Valley Industrial Development White Paper, and A Collection of Excellent Project Samples in Integrated Smart Energy (2024). The Beijing New-Type Energy Storage Demonstration Zone and the Beijing Future Science City Digital Power Innovation Center were also inaugurated during the conference.
Huairou District
The 2024 International Congress of Basic Science Opens
#Keyword: International Conference
The 2024 International Congress of Basic Science (ICBS) was successfully held in Huairou, featuring over 500 plenary reports, academic sessions, and satellite meetings. More than a thousand scientists from China and abroad engaged in in-depth exchanges and discussions on three major fields: mathematics, theoretical physics, and theoretical computer and information science.
Miyun District
The 2024 International Apicultural Asia Regional Symposium Opens
#Keyword: International Conference
The 2024 International Apicultural Asia Regional Symposium was successfully held in Miyun District. Themed “Honeybee, Sweetening Every Aspect of Life”, the symposium attracted over 500 attendees, including leading experts, scholars and industry representatives in apiculture from around the world to explore cutting-edge trends in the development of the apiculture industry. During the symposium, the Apicultural Science Association of China (ASAC) signed an MOU on China-ROK apicultural cooperation with the Korean Beekeeping Association, agreeing to pursue comprehensive exchanges and collaboration in the apicultural industry.
Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area (BDA)
The First “Foreign Diplomats Experiencing Beijing” Event Takes Place
#Keyword: Foreign Diplomats
The first “Foreign Diplomats Experiencing Beijing” event was held in BDA, drawing a total of 41 diplomats from 23 countries, including Ethiopia, the US, Germany, Japan, Indonesia, Singapore, South Africa, and Cuba. At BDA, they took test rides in autonomous vehicles, visited a fully automated logistics center, and learned about cutting-edge innovations such as soft robotics, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic innovation in Beijing from all aspects.
Expanding Exchanges to Facilitate Practical Cooperation
Haidian District
Memorandum of Friendship and Cooperation Signed with Lansing, Michigan, US
#Keyword: Intercity Exchanges
During the parallel session of the 2024 ZGC Forum—the Overseas Chinese Innovation & Development Forum, Haidian District and Lansing City signed a Memorandum of Friendship and Cooperation. This marks the official launch of in-depth collaboration between the two regions in science and technology, education, culture, and other fields, building on the long-standing foundation of friendly exchanges. Additionally, the High School Attached to Beijing Jiaotong University and Tsinghua University High School-Shangdi Primary School in Haidian District signed sister-school agreements with J.W. Sexton High School and Post Oak Academy in Lansing City respectively, ushering in a new chapter of educational resource sharing and cooperation.
Fengtai District
Tokyo Metropolitan Delegation of Special Wards, Cities, Towns, and Villages Visits Fengtai
#Keyword: Intercity Exchanges
The Tokyo Metropolitan delegation of special wards, cities, towns, and villages from Japan visited Fengtai for friendly exchanges. The delegation toured Leeza SOHO, where they were provided with very detailed introduction of the design, construction, and usage of the buildings. At the Cloud Reception Hall of Leeza SOHO, the delegation had a bird’s-eye view of western Beijing and gained a more intuitive understanding of the local business environment and the implementation of relevant policies. The year 2024 marks the 32nd anniversary of the sister-city relationship between Fengtai District and Katsushika Ward of Tokyo Metropolis. Both sides expressed their commitment to strengthening communication and practical cooperation.
Shijingshan District
Letter of Intent to Establish Sister-City Relationship Signed with Olmazor District, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
#Keyword: Intercity Exchanges
Abdukakhar Tukhtaev, Mayor of Olmazor District, Tashkent, Uzbekistan, led a delegation to the Shijingshan District and the two districts signed a letter of intent to establish sister-city relationship.
Mentougou District
Memorandum on the Establishment of Sister-City Relationship Signed with Bottrop, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
#Keyword: Intercity Exchanges
Mentougou District signed the Memorandum on the Establishment of Sister-City Relationship, and the Memorandum on Joint Government Projects to Transform Traditional Energy-oriented Cities into Innovative Cities with Bottrop, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Both sides will engage in multi-tiered and all-round cooperation in various areas, including economy and trade, science and technology, vocational education, culture and tourism, and agriculture. Together, Mentougou and Bottrop will work towards high-quality socio-economic development.
Daxing District
Letter of Intent on the Establishment of Sister-City Relationship Signed with Beylikdüzü District of Türkiye
#Keyword: Intercity Exchanges
During a visit to Türkiye, Daxing District and Beylikdüzü District, Türkiye, jointly signed the Letter of Intent on the Establishment of Sister-City Relationship.
Strengthening Communication to Tell Beijing Stories to the World
Chaoyang District
President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Visits the Legislative Liaison Station of the Nanmofang Township People’s Congress
#Keyword: National Parliaments
A delegation led by Tulia Ackson, President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and Speaker of the National Assembly of Tanzania, visited the local legislative liaison office of the Standing Committee of the People’s Congress of Chaoyang District, namely the Legislative Liaison Station of the Nanmofang Township People’s Congress. During the visit, they learned firsthand about local practices of the whole-process people’s democracy. They also visited the Deputies’ Office, and gained insights into the election process, the performance of deputies at all levels, channels for deputies to engage with the public, feedback mechanisms for gathering public opinions and suggestions, and grassroots practices for enhancing the role of female deputies. The delegation expressed their interest in further exchanges and mutual learning.
Fangshan District
Foreign Experts and Overseas Students Explore Mountain Cafes
#Keyword: Beijing-A Global City
The third themed offline shooting event of the 4th “Beijing-A Global City” Short Video Contest was held in Fangshan District. The event brought together over 40 foreign experts and overseas students from nearly 20 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Morocco and Japan. They were invited to explore the low mountain areas in Fangshan District where they embarked on an unforgettable trip of “Suburb Walk” in Beijing, visiting homestay hotels, appreciating red leaves and savoring coffee.
(Edited based on information from the Foreign Affairs Offices of districts in Beijing)
