Since the launch of the 14th Five-Year Plan, Haidian District has remained focused on its overarching development goals of "fostering new quality productive forces and building a world-leading science and technology park". By leveraging its resources efficiently, it has made solid progress in foreign affairs and international exchange and cooperation, while playing a key role in supporting Beijing's development as a global center for international engagement.
I. Stronger Capacity to Support China's Overall Diplomatic Agenda
Caption: 2025 Haidian Foreign Affairs and International Exchange and Cooperation Work Conference
(I) A more robust foreign affairs leadership framework. The district has given full play to the coordinating role of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the CPC Haidian District Committee (also serving as the leading group for advancing Beijing's international exchange center function), reinforcing the Party's leadership over foreign affairs. With strong support from the district committee and government, the Foreign Affairs Office has been established as an independent entity, enabling more focused responsibilities and more efficient operations. A coordinated working model—featuring central coordination, interdepartmental collaboration, and local-level synergy—has taken shape, further consolidating a whole-of-district approach to foreign affairs.
Caption: Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan, visits Haidian District.
(II) Enhanced capacity to serve China's major diplomatic events. The district has improved its mechanisms for delivering services and support for major state-level events, enhancing its capabilities in conference services, protocol and reception, urban operations, and volunteer services. It has successfully delivered high-standard support for major home-ground diplomatic events, including the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. A systematic resource framework for foreign affairs receptions has been developed, with 36 foreign affairs venues now in place. Since the start of the 14th Five-Year Plan period, Haidian has hosted 268 delegations, receiving 5438 visits from distinguished Party and state guests.
Caption: A delegation from Lansing, Michigan, the United States, visits Haidian District.
(III) Further Expanded International Exchange Networks. Haidian has established partnerships with 19 cities (or districts) across 14 countries, opened up 124 new channels for international exchange, helped establish or participated in 14 international platforms, and nurtured 13 internationally recognized signature events. It is now home to 17 international organizations. Through this network, Haidian has maintained active connections across Asia, Europe, North America, and South America.
II. Deepening Internationalization of Science and Technology Innovation
Caption: 2025 ZGC Forum
Caption: "Haidian Night" at the China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS)
(I) Greater impact of major international platforms. The district has made the most of national-level platforms such as the ZGC Forum and the CIFTIS. Each year, more than 300 outstanding international and domestic companies take part in exhibitions and business negotiations. During the CIFTIS, the value of intended contracts has exceeded US$8.45 billion. Through non-governmental international exchange platforms such as the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation (IASP), the district has hosted high-level international forums and exchange events. It is accelerating the development of an international cooperation network for science and technology innovation involving a wide range of participants, including international organizations, universities, research institutes, and industry alliances.
(II) Growing cluster effect of international science, technology and innovation resources. With a global vision, Haidian is accelerating the development of a world-leading science and technology park. It has successfully attracted 48 international teams and world-renowned technology incubators such as Plug and Play (PnP) to establish a presence in the district. It has also engaged in multi-level international science and technology exchange and cooperation with eight foreign universities and research institutes, including the Technical University of Madrid, four overseas science parks such as the Marmara Teknokent in Türkiye, and 14 international organizations such as the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD). The district is now home to 2,871 foreign-invested technology companies and 1,302 companies with overseas investments, and accounts for over 40 percent of the city's Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) applications. With over 900 regional headquarters of multinational corporations, foreign-invested R&D headquarters, and other types of corporate headquarters, Haidian ranks first among all districts in Beijing in this regard.
III. New Achievements in High-Standard Opening Up
Caption: Toward a Shared Future: Sino-US Regional Industry Exchange Forum
Caption: "Diplomats by the Hearth" Series—UAE Embassy Session
(I) Growing appeal for inbound resources. Since the beginning of 2025, Haidian has organized six high-profile events, including visits by the G20 Young Entrepreneurs' Alliance (YEA) to Haidian and the Sino-US Regional Industry Exchange Forum. These events have attracted representatives from 122 foreign government agencies, multinational corporations, and business associations, connecting them with 93 local companies. The district has also successfully hosted 50 events under its signature programs, including "Diplomats by the Hearth" and "Link the World", strengthening exchanges and cooperation between local businesses and a wide range of international innovation players. The number of newly established foreign-invested enterprises in the district has reached 1,400, with the actual utilized foreign investment ranking first among all districts in Beijing.
Caption: Haidian District signs a Memorandum of Understanding with the 16th District of Budapest, Hungary.
Caption: The Zhongguancun Science City-Hong Kong Innovation Accelerator is inaugurated.
(II) More diverse pathways for going global. District leaders have actively promoted pragmatic international cooperation through overseas visits. Since early 2024, district leaders have led business delegations to 21 countries (and regions), including Germany, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland, to hold 25 investment promotion events, resulting in the signing of 49 cooperation projects worth approximately 420 million yuan. The district has also supported 114 technology companies to participate in international exhibitions such as the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in the United States and the GITEX Global in the United Arab Emirates. The Zhongguancun Comprehensive Bonded Zone, China's first bonded zone featuring R&D and innovation, has successfully passed its acceptance inspection and is now in high-standard operation. The "Zhongguancun Science City-Hong Kong Innovation Accelerator" has been established, offering companies a one-stop international service platform.
IV. More Effective Efforts in Attracting and Nurturing International Talents
(I) Targeted talent attraction. The district has leveraged various talent programs to attract and nurture talents, consistently ranking first in the city in terms of the number of individuals selected for national and municipal-level overseas high-level talent programs. To date, it has brought in 175 overseas talents. The "Haiying Plan" has been implemented, with about 40 percent of the selected talents having overseas study experience. Through collaboration between the district and municipal authorities, a demonstration zone for global innovation service networks has been established to support overseas returnees with entrepreneurial guidance. A total of 148 entrepreneurship projects initiated by overseas returnees have been introduced. In partnership with Tsinghua University, Peking University, and other employers, the district has successfully recruited 14 globally renowned scholars. It is now home to 17,800 international students and 4,005 foreign high-level professionals and specialists.
Caption: HICOOL Global Entrepreneurship Competition
(II) Multi-faceted talent development. Leveraging entrepreneurship and innovation events such as the Haidian division of the HICOOL Global Entrepreneurship Competition and the "Dongsheng Cup" International Entrepreneurship Competition, the district is exploring mechanisms for early identification, cultivation, and follow-up support of international talents. Targeted training activities have been organized for international talents and 454 senior executives have participated in training.
Caption: Hidea Haidian International Innovation Talent Center (Hong Kong) is inaugurated.
(III) Improved support services. International talents now have access to 32 services across three categories—government services, daily living support, and career development. The Peking University Hospital of Stomatology International Clinical Division has successfully passed its licensing inspection. There are now 14 hospitals in the district that provide full-service medical care in foreign languages. The Hidea Haidian International Innovation Talent Center (Hong Kong) has been inaugurated.
V. A More Competitive International Environment
Caption: An aerial view of the Liulangzhuang area.
(I) Expanding spaces for international engagement. The permanent venue of the ZGC Forum has been completed and put into operation, hosting important events such as two annual ZGC Forums, the 27th Beijing-Hong Kong Economic Cooperation Symposium, and the CHCD. The Liulangzhuang project is being accelerated. Upon completion, it will be used in conjunction with the Beijing Zhongguancau National Independent Innovation Demonstration Zone Exhibition Center and the Three Hills and Five Gardens Cultural and Arts Center, further enhancing the district's high-end facilities for international engagement.
Caption: The 25th "Imperial Garden Cup" Walking around Kunming Lake for International Friends
(II) A more vibrant international atmosphere. Haidian has established a convenient commercial support system and an international consumer environment. It has successfully nurtured two global launch hubs. Foreign bank card-compatible point-of-sale (POS) terminals now cover 95.92 percent of key businesses, and there are 124 departure tax refund stores. The district has hosted a series of high-profile international cultural and sports events, including the Zhongguancun Dance Festival and the Zhongguancun International Youth Arts Festival, which have helped promote international exchanges. Sports events such as the TNF100 Beijing Ultra Trail Challenge (Haidian) and the Haidian Marathon have also been successfully held, attracting 160 international participants. The "Imperial Garden Cup" Walking around Kunming Lake for International Friends, now in its 25th consecutive year, has become a prominent brand for people-to-people exchanges.
