On the morning of March 26, the Leading Group for Improving Beijing’s Role as the Center for International Exchanges convened a meeting to deliberate on its work priorities for 2026 and work report in 2025. Yin Li, Secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee and Head of the Leading Group, presided over the meeting. Li Chenggang, China International Trade Representative and Vice Minister of Commerce; Chen Zhou, Vice Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee; and Zhu Qin, Deputy Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, attended the meeting.

The meeting noted that over the past year, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee, Beijing has comprehensively strengthened infrastructure and service capabilities for international exchanges, and provided quality services and support for major diplomatic events, including commemorative activities to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. Phase II of the China National Convention Center (CNCC) and the Capital International Exhibition & Convention Center (CIECC) have been completed and put into operation. International travel to and from Beijing has become more frequent and convenient, and new progress and achievements have been made in advancing its role as a center for international exchanges. This year marks the first year for implementing the 15th Five-Year Plan. Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, Beijing must thoroughly study and implement the guiding principles of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speech during his inspections of Beijing. It will coordinate the development of foreign-related facilities and the enhancement of support capabilities, better serving China’s overall diplomacy and the capital’s high-quality development.

The meeting emphasized the need to uphold the highest standards, fully support the Party’s and the country’s foreign exchange efforts, improve long-term mechanisms for supporting state events, and ensure the success of head-of-state diplomacy and major diplomatic events hosted by China. It also stressed the need to enhance the city’s capacity for international exchanges through efforts to advance the construction of major projects such as the Beijing Yanqi Lake International Conference Resort and the Fourth Embassy Area, upgrade the quality of areas such as the Olympic Park’s central area and the Two Parks and One River areas, and improve supporting facilities in areas surrounding venues like the CIECC. Leveraging the historical and cultural heritage of the Central Axis, Beijing will develop a number of high-quality, small yet beautiful venues for foreign affairs events. Further efforts will be made to optimize the city’s international environment, make good use of national visa-free policies, improve foreign-related government and public services, and enhance the international profile of integrated development across the cultural, commercial, tourism, sports, and exhibition sectors, making it more convenient for foreign nationals to travel, work, and live in Beijing. Beijing will strengthen high-standard international cooperation, welcome more international organizations and institutions to establish a presence in the city, and provide them with strong support. Additionally, it will enhance the global influence of major platforms such as the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), the ZGC Forum, the Financial Street Forum, and the Beijing Culture Forum, thereby facilitating the development of sectors including business services, the digital economy, and the cultural and creative industries, and bringing in more landmark foreign-invested projects.

The attendees also deliberated on the List of Supportive Measures of Members from the Central Authorities of the Leading Group for Improving Beijing’s Role as the Center for International Exchanges (2026), and received a briefing on progress in improving Beijing’s role as the center for international exchanges in 2025.

Other central and municipal leaders who attended the meeting included Miao Deyu, Shen Zhulin, Gao Zheng, Zhao Lei, and Han Jun.