On October 14, the Information Office of Beijing Municipality held a press conference to present the city’s achievements in pursuing high-quality development during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, with a specific session on promoting Beijing’s role as the center for international exchanges. Officials from both the Office of Foreign Affairs Committee of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee and Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality, the Beijing Municipal Commission of Planning and Natural Resources, the Beijing Municipal Commission of Development and Reform, the Beijing Municipal Administration of Government Services and Data Management, Chaoyang District, and Beijing North Star Company Limited provided briefings and answered questions from the press. The event was moderated by Wei Bin, Deputy Director of the International News Division of the Publicity Department of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee.
Zhang Mei, Vice Mayor of Chaoyang District:
During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, Chaoyang District has aligned with the national strategy for high-standard opening up and resolutely shouldered its responsibility as a key district supporting Beijing’s role as the national center for international exchanges. With internationalization as its primary focus, the district has worked in scenario development, institutional innovation, and international communication, continuously enhancing its international environment and service capacity, and building a district that is ideal for living, doing business, working, studying, and travel.
First, we have strengthened our capacity to serve major diplomatic events, contributing Chaoyang’s strength to major country diplomacy.Chaoyang District has delivered quality services for major national-level international exchanges events such as the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) and the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, significantly enhancing the comprehensive support capacity for regular home-court diplomatic events. The district has developed a system of international exchange destinations themed on water, air, business, technology, rule of law, and ecology, which has not only supported the undertaking of various diplomatic and foreign affairs activities of the central government and Beijing municipality, but also become iconic landmarks favored by both local and foreign residents and visitors. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, Chaoyang District received more than 240 Party and state delegations and visiting groups, totaling over 4,990 persons, fully demonstrating its role as a window of home-court diplomatic events.
Second, we have continued to strengthen the infrastructure for international exchanges, with major functional projects advancing steadily. China National Convention Center (CNCC) Phase II has been put into operation and hosted multiple high-profile international conferences, demonstrating the district’s strength in the high-end convention and exhibition services sector. The land acquisition and management for the fourth embassy zone has been fully completed, and the regulatory plan for the Jinzhan International Cooperation Service Zone has been approved by the Beijing Municipal Commission of Planning and Natural Resources. Meanwhile, Chaoyang District has continued to enhance the environment of the first, second, and third embassy zones. The Sanlitun Road area has been upgraded into a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood, while Chaoyang Park Road has undergone a comprehensive renovation. The Liangma River International Waterfront Project was recognized as theLondon Design Awards Gold Winner. By the end of 2025, Chaoyang District will open a 15-kilometer cruising route along the Ba River to directly reach the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center (BMC), becoming a symbol of the district’s international image.
Third, we have leveraged global resources to boost economic growth and build a hub of international elements. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, Chaoyang District attracted a total of 369 foreign-funded projects, expected to bring in US$25.37 billion of foreign investment, ranking top among districts in Beijing. Chaoyang District has established eight global investment liaison offices, and over 170 regional headquarters of multinational corporations have settled here, ranking the first in the city, underscoring Chaoyang’s appeal to top global companies. Financial institutions such as Standard Chartered Securities and ERGO FESCO have chosen to set up operations in Chaoyang, marking notable progress in the development of an international financial cluster. Meanwhile, the district has also builtChina’s first headquarters cluster for international science and technology organizations, attracting 13 global tech institutions to establish a presence here.
Fourth, we have strengthened district-wide international exchanges and expanded openness and cooperation. Chaoyang District has established friendly relations with 31 cities, districts, and international organizations across 25 countries covering five continents, with the highest number of sister cities among all districts in Beijing. The district has strengthened its “cloud diplomacy” brand by hosting online exchanges with institutions such as Business France and the China Romania Association for the Promotion of International Trade and Economy, facilitating the implementation of several projects including cross-border e-commerce cooperation with Central and Eastern Europe. Chaoyang District has also invited foreign diplomats in China to tour the Liangma River by boat, partnered with the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) to plant friendship woods with diplomats from Latin American and Caribbean countries, supported the Thai Embassy in hosting the Thai Festival Beijing and the Chilean Embassy in organizing Chile Week, and continued hosting receptions for Chaoyang’s international community, expanding the district’s circle of friends for international exchanges and cooperation.
Fifth, we have strengthened our international communication capability to expand the influence of “International Chaoyang.” The district has continued to host signature events such as the Beijing Chaoyang International Tea Culture Festival and the Beijing Chaoyang International Light Festival, integrating culture, business, tourism, and sports to showcase the vibrancy and charm of Chaoyang’s openness to the world. Chaoyang District is continuously advancing the “Chaoyang Through Eyes of Foreigners” short-video project, inviting ambassadors, representatives of international organizations, and foreign professionals from various sectors in China to participate in recordings, using short videos to convey the district’s strongest message of openness to the world. Chaoyang has also organized exclusive cultural exchange activities for foreign media, includingPeking Opera appreciation sessions,acrobatics performances, andvisits to the China National Film Museum, allowing participants to gain an immersive understanding of both China’s profound traditional culture and its modern technological progress.
Sixth, we have further developed international service scenarios and removed barriers for foreign nationals living and working in China.The English version of Visitor Guide to Beijing Chaoyanghas been compiled and distributed to hotels, international communities, and other service sites, offering comprehensive guidance on living in the district. Chaoyang has built an “inbound consumer–friendly business district” and promoted barrier-free payment services. Across the district, 56 multilingual service windows have been set up in government service centers. The Wangjing International Talent Apartment has been opened for leasing. Chaoyang has also released a directory of international medical service institutions and optimized medical procedures for foreign nationals. Chaoyang District has refined information brochures on schools for children of foreign residents, continuously enhancing the area’s appeal as a place for them to study. The district currently hosts 13 schools for children of foreign nationals and 35 international schools, alongside nine Sino-foreign joint medical institutions and 46 multilingual healthcare facilities, providing high-quality and convenient education and medical services for foreign nationals.
Seventh, we have focused on improving the experience of foreign nationals in Chaoyang and building an international and livable community.Chaoyang has optimized community service systems for foreign nationals and organizedover 400 cultural and community events, including “Chinese and Foreign Residents Jointly Celebrating Chinese New Year” and the “International Cultural Season,” promoting cultural exchanges and strengthening a sense of belonging and identity among foreign nationals. Specialized training programs have been organized for foreign-related social workers to build a stronger social service team. Besides, Chaoyang has established aone-stop international talent service platform and international demonstration service window, addressing common administrative challenges faced by foreign nationals. Significant investments have been made in parks, green spaces, and pocket parks, enhancing the district’s ecological environment and further enhancing its image as a livable and international place.
This summarizes Chaoyang District’s efforts during the 14th Five-Year Plan period to improve its capacity for international exchanges and optimize the international environment and services.
Question from the Press
Reporter:We’ve noticed that high-quality international services are a key advantage of Chaoyang District’s opening up. What specific measures will the district take to build on this strength and further improve international services?
Zhang Mei, Vice Mayor of Chaoyang District:
Going forward, we will leverage the district’s international resources and strengths, focusing on three main areas to consolidate and expand our advantages in international services:
First, deepening the integration of international resources and building long-term cooperation mechanisms.On the one hand, we will establish regular communication channelsamong international organizations, commercial offices of foreign embassies in China, and key foreign-invested enterprises to ensure timely responses to their needs and efficient progress on collaborative matters. On the other hand, we have signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), which will help attract more high-end international conferences, exhibitions, and events to Chaoyang, thereby enhancing the district’s impact in the international convention and exhibition economy. In addition, to address the needs of foreign business professionals in hosting international conferences, exhibitions, and cultural events, we have formulated the Guide to Chaoyang’s International Reception Halls. This guide ensures that Chaoyang’s openness and friendly atmosphere are not just visible but also tangible, accessible, and easy for international visitors to engage with and integrate into.
Second, promoting the social and cultural integration of foreign nationals and creating diverse, multicultural living environments. In the consumer services sector, we aim to position Chaoyang as the first stop and preferred destination for inbound consumption in the capital. In terms of cultural, sports, and lifestyle activities, we will continue to host signature events that integrate culture, commerce, sports, and tourism, enriching the leisure lives of foreign nationals in Beijing. At the community level, we are exploring innovative models that combinecommunity-specific features with international services, regularly organizing activities that help foreign nationals integrate into the local community. Notably, we have consistently held seminars and exchange sessions for foreign nationals, and we award outstanding foreign individuals in Chaoyang with the title of “Phoenix Friendship Ambassador” for their contributions to promoting China–foreign exchanges and cooperation. In doing so, we aim to engagemore foreign nationals in Chaoyang’s internationalization efforts, injecting global insights and strength into the district’s high-quality economic and social development.
Third, innovating international communication narratives and expanding the global outreach network. On the one hand, we continue to develop brand projects and signature activities from the perspective of foreign nationals, enabling the international community to better understand Chaoyang’s development. On the other hand, we invited and received overseas media, organizing activities such as site visits and in-depth exchanges to showcase Chaoyang as a district that is ideal for living, doing business, working, studying, and travel. Additionally, we published the 2025 Beijing Chaoyang Through Eyes of Foreignersresearch report, which offers accurate data and valuable reference for Chaoyang in stimulating new momentum for an open economy, creating a world-class business environment, and buildinghigh-quality urban spaces that are both livable and work-friendly.
