Beijing builds open, innovative, welcoming global urban center

Beijing is committed to achieving high-level opening-up as it seeks to build itself into a top-tier, harmonious, and welcoming global city over the next five years, according to the city's Party chief, Yin Li.

"The city will optimize its investment environment and services for foreign businesses, offering greater opportunities for collaboration," said Yin Li, the city's Party chief, emphasizing that diplomats are "witnesses and contributors" to Beijing's development. He made the remarks at a recent event for foreign diplomatic missions in China.

Yin noted that in the first nine months of 2025, about 8,000 new foreign companies were established in the capital. To date, Beijing has hosted the regional headquarters of 260 multinational corporations.

The city's GDP is projected to exceed 5 trillion yuan ($700 billion) for 2025, driven by high-quality productive forces, innovation, and continued openness to the world, Yin said.

Echoing his remarks, Hussam Al Husseini, Jordan's ambassador to China, expressed appreciation for Beijing's ongoing efforts to enhance services and facilities that support diplomatic exchanges and activities.

"We have observed continuous and progressive development across various sectors in Beijing — from infrastructure and services to the high-quality events it hosts, including trade fairs, political and cultural gatherings, forums, and international conferences," he said.

The comments came after a city-organized visit for more than 300 foreign diplomats and representatives of international organizations from 110 countries. The group toured the Beijing Central Axis by bus and visited the renovated Longfu Temple.

The Beijing Central Axis, a historic and cultural landmark spanning 7.8 kilometers through the city's heart, includes sites such as the Forbidden City, Tian'anmen Square, and the Temple of Heaven. In 2024, it was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, symbolizing the essence of ancient Chinese urban planning and symmetry.

The Longfu Temple, originally built in 1452 and later rebuilt, reflects Beijing's commitment to cultural preservation and urban renewal. The site offered diplomats a glimpse of both the city's historical depth and modern vitality.

The reception took place in a replica of the temple, where diplomats took photos and participated in traditional cultural activities such as cloisonne-making and painting clay figurines.

Ambassador Al Husseini also praised the capital's vibrant mix of social, commercial, economic, and cultural events, adding that they "foster mutual relations and deepen understanding of Chinese history and culture — they help us appreciate the nation's past, present, and future."

During the event, Yin also highlighted Beijing's advancements in artificial intelligence, humanoid robotics, and the rapid growth of its digital economy powered by cutting-edge technologies.

Olexander Nechytaylo, the Ukrainian ambassador to China, described Beijing as a "cashless city", citing the widespread use of digital payment systems.

He recalled his first dining experience in Beijing, where the restaurant manager had to "borrow cash" from a neighboring eatery in order to give him change after he paid in cash.

yangcheng@chinadaily.com.cn