On September 24, the International Exchange Centers Index 2025 was released at Tsinghua University for the third consecutive year.Attributed to progress in business-friendly environment, recovery of inbound tourism, scientific and technological innovation, and transportation connectivity, Beijing moved up one spot this year to secure the 6th global position.
International Exchange Centers Index 2025 Officially Unveiled
This index, as the world’s first to focuson cities’ performance as international exchange centers, evaluates the roles and functions of all participating cities in areas including global factor agglomeration, international political and economic exchanges, and global people-to-people interactions through data collection, index calculation, and qualitative research. By measuring these cities’ international exchange capabilities, it aims to provide a reference for government officials and policy practitioners in formulating urban development strategies and plans. This year, theindex continues to adoptthe three-dimensional research framework—attractiveness, influence, and connectivity—while expanding the total number of participating cities to 50 and further increasing the proportion of cities from developing countries.
The top 10 cities in the overall ranking are: London, Paris, New York, Seoul, Singapore, Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tokyo, San Francisco, and Bangkok, with San Francisco and Bangkok tied for 10th place. Beijing ranks 6th globally, with its attractiveness ranking jumping to 19th, largely fueled by the robust growth in inbound tourist numbers. Beijing maintained its position as the 2nd and 15th in terms of influence and connectivityrespectively. The report notes that Beijing’s core strength as an international exchange center lies in its outstanding scientific and technological innovation, whichenables the city’s continuous leadership in cutting-edge fields such as AI, life sciences, and new materials, attracting a large pool of top international sci-tech talent. Furthermore, compared with last year’s top 10, London, Paris, and New York remain in the top three. Shanghai climbed to the8th place, marking the city’s first-time entry into the top 10, thanks to the progress in inbound tourism recovery, economic development, and culture and education.
Jointly released by the China Institute for Development Planning at Tsinghua University (CIDP) and Deloitte China, the indexproposes that international exchange centers should proactively adjust their functional positioning, upgrade industrial structures, strengthen institutional opening up. It also calls for enhancing cooperation among cities, maintaining an edge in scientific and technological innovation, and continuing to foster a favorable environment for international development. All these efforts help cities emerge as backbone players in the globalization process.
Current Round Evaluation: Comprehensive Scores & Rankings of Sample Cities
Yang Weimin, Member of the Standing Committee and Deputy Director of the Economic Affairs Committee of the 13th CPPCC National Committee, and former Deputy Director of the Office of the Central Leading Group for Financial and Economic Affairs, delivered a keynote speech. Guo Yong, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Tsinghua University Committee, Feng Jian, Deputy Director General of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee and the Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality, and Thierry Delmarcelle, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at Deloitte Asia Pacific, attended the release ceremony and delivered remarks. Yang Yongheng, Dean of the CIDP and Professor at the School of Public Policy & Management, Tsinghua University, released the key findings on behalf of the research team. Wu Weijun, Vice Chairman of Deloitte China, presented an overview of the joint research efforts.
Over 150 participants attended the event, including representatives from relevant central authorities, officials from the Office of the Leading Group for Improving Beijing’s Role as the Center for International Exchange and its member units, as well as representatives from Beijing-based international organizations, industry associations, universities, and research institutions.
Download the report: International Exchange Centers Index 2025
