Editor’s Note:

Beijing  Overseas Talents Center (BOTC), as an exemplar in promoting  people-to-people exchanges, delivered a presentation at the Meeting on  People-to-People Diplomacy of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the CPC  Beijing Municipal Committee on March 28. Let’s take a closer look at  BOTC’s wonderful stories and discover the charm of people-to-people  exchanges.

BOTC  has closely aligned its efforts with the citywide endeavor to build  Beijing into a center for international exchanges, coordinating  resources to promote international exchanges and cooperation to  facilitate people-to-people connectivity with dedication and sincerity.

Building Networks and Platforms to Promote Innovation-Driven Development

In  collaboration with domestic and international organizations such as  Switzerland’s Biz Switzerland, Spain’s Global Switch Data Center, and  France’s automotive industry association PVF, BOTC initiated the Contact  Beijing • Global Network for Innovation Services (GNIS). To date, it  has forged partnerships with 66 institutions across 13 countries,  channeling global innovation resources into Beijing while empowering  Beijing’s innovation resources to reach the world.

GNIS International Cooperation Salon on New Quality Productive Forces

GNIS Hard Tech Achievements Transaction Roadshow Event

BOTC  has organized four editions of the Beijing International Youth  Innovation and Development Forum and launched a variety of initiatives,  such as the “Innovation Talk”, to empower young innovators worldwide in  multiple dimensions. By creating a platform for exchanges and  cooperation in engineering technology, these efforts have served over  800,000 people over the past four years. Notably, Brazil’s StartSe,  leveraging the “Innovation Talk”, has organized 15 business delegations  to visit Beijing, bringing hundreds of Brazilian entrepreneurs for field  visits and project matchmaking, building a bridge for collaboration.

2025 Beijing International Youth Innovation and Development Forum

Delivering High-Quality Services and Telling Engaging Stories to Promote People-to-People Connectivity

Over  the past three years, BOTC has organized more than 30 diverse events,  engaging over 3,000 foreign nationals in Beijing. Through activities  such as traditional festival gatherings, cultural performances, hands-on  intangible cultural heritage experiences, and “Happy Chinese” programs,  BOTC has helped foreign friends gain a deeper understanding of Beijing.

To  showcase Beijing to the world, BOTC collaborated with China Daily to  create the “Beijing Highfliers” media matrix. Its “Hi Beijing” short  video series highlights the city’s livable, business-friendly, open, and  inclusive environment. One featured story is that of Muhammad Ammar, a  Pakistani educator who has lived in Beijing for 18 years. Six members of  his family have studied in the city. Ammar shared that his father came  to Beijing in the 1970s, drawn by China’s rapid infrastructure  development, while he himself stayed for Beijing’s international  environment. For their family, Beijing has become a second home.