From May 8 to 9, the Beijing International Investment and Trade Conference (BIIT) 2025 was held at Phase II of the China National Convention Center, coinciding with the 27th China Beijing International High-Tech Expo. Investment institutions, industry organizations, commercial departments of foreign institutions in China, and entrepreneurs from around the world leveraged BIIT, a two-way investment platform, to promote projects and exchange ideas, exploring cooperation and sharing Beijing’s new development opportunities.
Foreign Investors Optimistic about Future Cooperation
Focusing on key sectors such as next-generation information technology, medicine and health, intelligent manufacturing, fin-tech, and business services, BIIT brought together representatives fromvarious countries and institutions, including the League of Arab States’ China representative office, the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), and the National Industrial Development Center (NIDC) of Saudi Arabia. They engaged in in-depth discussions on the current global investment trends and the policy environment.
Scene at the BIIT
Ahmed Mustafa Fahmy, Head of the League of Arab States’ China representative office, stated that in recent years, many Arab and Chinese companies have reached consensus on cooperation, continuously deepening partnerships in traditional sectors such as energy, infrastructure, and agriculture, while expanding collaboration in emerging areas including green and low-carbon development, healthcare, and the digital economy.
China and the European Union are each other’s second-largest trading partner. Stefan Bernhart, Vice President of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, said that in recent months, the chamber has been working closely with relevant Beijing authorities, participating in multiple high-level forums and roundtables, and conducting visits to key projects in Daxing District, Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, and Xiong’an New Area.
“The Beijing Municipal Government has given seriousconsiderations to our appealsand taken proactive measures to boost confidence,” he said. He added that recently, when member companies of the chamberraised suggestions regarding issues such as the bidding standards for urban rail transit projects, the relevant government departments responded promptly with effective solutions.
China is Saudi Arabia’s largest trading partner, while Saudi Arabia is China’s biggest trading partner in the Middle East. Khalid Al-Hmoud, Executive Vice President of NIDC, stated that Saudi Arabia and China cooperate across multiple industries, highlightingtwo-way investment in traditional sectors such as oil, natural gas, and chemicals. “We are also exploring cooperation in other areas,” he said. He noted that this year’s BIIT particularly focused on high-tech and advanced manufacturing industries, such as robotics, semiconductors, and electronic equipment, and added, “We look forward to collaborating with China in these fields.”
Saudi Arabia has reached a groundbreaking partnership with Lenovo. Lenovo has begun building a factory in Saudi Arabia, with an estimated initial annual production of two million laptops, expected to reach eight million units by 2028.
Beijing Highlighting Its Investment Appeal through Services
Amid rapid transformations in the global economic landscape, Beijing is advancing high-quality development through high-standard opening up, creating abundant opportunities. Chinese and foreign enterprises and institutions have gathered at the BIIT with sincerity and enthusiasm for cooperation, highlighting Beijing’s strong appeal and influence as an investment destination.
Zhang Huayu, Deputy Director General of the Beijing Municipal Commerce Bureau, said that Beijing is working to create a more open and favorable policy environment for technology and innovation enterprises. He cited several pioneering initiatives:the Zhongguancun Comprehensive Bonded Zone,China’s first to remove physical barriers with a focus on R&D: the nation’s first AI data training base; and the launch of China’s first autonomous passenger vehicle service.
“Beijing is developing a series of more open, innovative policieswith stronger effects,” Zhang revealed. The city is currently formulating its development plan for an open economy during the 15th Five-Year Plan period and accelerating the rollout of the 3.0 Plan for the Integrated National Demonstration Zone for Greater Openness in the Services Sector. These measures aim to provide enterprises in Beijing with clear, tangible, and predictable policy frameworks.
Guests engage in extensive discussions at the BIIT
In recent years, Beijing has introduced more than 1,700 measures to improve its business environment, providing high-quality and integrated services for enterprises of all types, and further enhancing the reputation of the “Beijing Service” brand.
Zhang Xiujie, Level II Bureau Rank Official of the Beijing Municipal Commission of Development and Reform, stated that to support Chinese companies in their international expansion, Beijing has recently launched the Beijing Belt and Road Comprehensive Service Platform. The platform integrates public government services and professional resources in the market to build a specialized, international service system featuring extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits. Rooted in Beijing, it serves the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and extends its reach nationwide, aiming to establish the “Beijing Service” brand for Belt and Road cooperation.
Agreements for 13 Projects Signed On-Site
This year’s BIIT, themed “Extensive Consultation, Shared Benefits, Win-win Cooperation”, is hosted by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Beijing Sub-council (CCPIT Beijing) and the Beijing Chamber of International Commerce (BCIC). It iscommitted to establishing a targetedand effective two-way investment platform, promoting deeper and broader practical cooperation for Chinese enterprises going global.
At the event, several distinguished guests took the stage to present their initiatives and explore opportunities for development and cooperation. Among them were the Minister-Counselor of the Royal Thai Embassy in China, the Minister-Counselor for Commercial Affairs of Sri Lanka’s Embassy in China, the Commercial Counselor of the Mexican Embassy in China, the Investment Counselor of the Indonesian Embassy in China, the Senior Advisor for China Strategy of the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, UK, and the Deputy Head of Investment Promotion at the InvestHK, the Government of the Hong Kong SAR.
BIIT Roundtable
This year’s BIIT focused on key overseas markets for Chinese enterprises, including the Middle East, ASEAN, Latin America, and Europe. Through promotions, roundtables, and exhibitions, it provided a diversified platform for government-business exchanges, engaging over 300 Chinese and foreign enterprises in discussions to foster two-way investment and mutually beneficial cooperation.
The BIIT features six display and negotiation zones that integrate exhibitions, negotiations, and conferences. These zones covered investment policies, key industrial parks, and comprehensive professional services for overseas business development, including finance, accounting, taxation, and talent support. Relevant municipal departments, key industrial parks, overseas investment promotion agencies, and the BCIC Overseas Services Committee provided on-site consultation to Chinese and foreign companies in each zone, offering support for resource matching.
On the day of the event, CCPIT Beijing signed strategic cooperation agreements with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Guangxi Committee (CCPIT Guangxi) and the Dongcheng District People’s Government of Beijing Municipality, while BCIC inked agreements with the Promotion of Economic and Trade Cambodia-ASEAN Association and the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, UK. The agreements, covering areas such as automotive finance, merger and acquisition funds, talent development, medicine and health, and overseas expansion services, involved a total of 13 projects signed on site.
