Recently, Xicheng District held the 2025 Plenary Meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the CPC Xicheng District Committee & the District Leading Group for Improving Beijing’s Role as the Center for International Exchanges. The meeting conveyed the guiding principles from the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee (Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Leading Group of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee) and from the Municipal Leading Group for Improving Beijing’s Role as the Center for International Exchanges. The meeting also reviewed the work in 2024 and outlined the priorities for 2025. Liu Dongwei, Secretary of the CPC Xicheng District Committee, Director of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the CPC Xicheng District Committee and Head of the Xicheng District Leading Group, presided over the meeting and delivered a speech. Zhi Haijie, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Xicheng District Committee, District Mayor, Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the CPC Xicheng District Committee, and First Deputy Head of the District Leading Group, attended the meeting.

The meeting pointed out that, the year of 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the victories in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations (UN), and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union (EU). Therefore, it is a year of great importance. As Beijing’s core functional area and the core area for building the center for international exchanges, Xicheng District should strive to align with the diplomatic endeavors of the Party and the country. Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, especially Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, the District should make work arrangements that serve the diplomatic endeavors of the Party and the country and firmly implement the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee on foreign affairs and work requirements of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee. It should also refine the regular work mechanisms to deliver quality services for major international events, serving the overall diplomacy of the country and foreign affairs of the capital to the highest standards of excellence.

The meeting requested that crucial steps be taken to improve Beijing’s role as the center for international exchanges. This requires improving the environment and service efficiency. Furthermore, the District should develop more high-quality, distinctive venues for foreign-related events and focus on improving the environment in core areas of Xicheng District. With the inscription of the Beijing Central Axis on the UNESCO World Heritage List, the District can host foreign exchange projects of the Central Government and Beijing Municipality with high standards, continuously upgrade management and services concerning foreign affairs, and build a convenient and international urban environment for travel, work, and life. It should enhance its capabilities in international dissemination and create international culture and tourism brands with distinctive Xicheng characteristics. Taking advantage of publicity platforms and overseas social media, the District can tell a good story about itself.

The meeting emphasized that it should fully promote the high-quality development of areas with foreign-related resource advantages. The District should enhance its appeal to investors, explore new driving forces for the open economy, and deepen the joint efforts of Beijing Municipality and Xicheng District in building a roundtable meeting system for foreign-funded enterprises. By leveraging platforms such as the Annual Conference of Financial Street Forum 2025 and the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), the District can continuously broaden its international “circle of friends”. By hosting the flagship event of “Investing in Xicheng for a Shared Future”, it can facilitate the implementation of more signature and pioneering foreign-invested projects. With full advancement of the “All-in-One-Go” government service reform and the establishment of the “All-in-One” specific area for foreign-related services, the District can improve service capacity for international businesses. Efforts should also be made to deliver an outstanding “China Tour for Foreign Trade Premium Products”.

The meeting stressed that it is imperative to strengthen the Party’s leadership of foreign affairs on all fronts. With a focus on deepening the overall framework for foreign affairs work, the Foreign Affairs Committee of the CPC Xicheng District Committee and the District Leading Group for Improving Beijing’s Role as the Center for International Exchanges should enhance research and arrangements on major issues, while systematically strengthening the District’s efforts in foreign affairs work. All departments in Xicheng District should fulfill their main responsibilities and jointly advance foreign affairs work in all areas. Leading officials at all levels should broaden international vision and take the lead in learning about, understanding, and engaging in foreign affairs work.