From May 8 to 9, the 2025 Beijing International Investment and Trade Conference 2025 (BIIT) was held at the China National Convention Center (Phase II), concurrently with the China Beijing International High-Tech Expo.

Investment agencies, industry  associations, business departments of foreign missions in China, and entrepreneurs from around the world gathered to exchange ideas, explore cooperation, and leverage BIIT as a two-way investment platform to tap into Beijing’s new development opportunities.

Foreign Investors Optimistic About Prospects for Cooperation

Focusing on key sectors such as next-generation information technology, healthcare, intelligent manufacturing, fintech, and business services, BIIT invited representatives from major international organizations and countries, including the League of Arab States’ China representative office, the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), and the Saudi National Industrial Development Center. Participants engaged in in-depth discussions on global investment trends and policy environments.

Ambassador Ahmed Mostafa Fahmy, head of the League of Arab States’ China  representative office, noted that in recent years, many Arab and Chinese enterprises have reached consensus on deepening cooperation. This has strengthened ties in traditional sectors such as energy, infrastructure, and agriculture, while expanding collaboration into emerging areas like green development, low-carbon initiatives, healthcare, and the digital economy.

China and the European Union are each other’s second-largest trading partners. Li Difan, vice-president of the EU Chamber of Commerce in China, stated that in recent months, the chamber has strengthened cooperation with Beijing and relevant authorities in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. It has actively participated in high-level forums and roundtable discussions hosted by the Beijing municipal government and China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Beijing Sub-council (CCPIT Beijing), while conducting field visits to major projects in Daxing district, Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, and Xiong’an New Area.

 “The Beijing municipal government has responded actively and positively to our feedback, boosting investor confidence,” he said. “Recently, our member companies raised suggestions concerning public tendering standards for urban rail transit projects, and the relevant departments responded swiftly and resolved the issues effectively.

China is Saudi Arabia’s largest trading partner, and Saudi Arabia is China’s largest trading partner in the Middle East. Executive vice-president of the Saudi National Industrial Development Center remarked that the two countries have engaged in bilateral investment across a range of sectors, particularly oil, gas, and petrochemicals. “We are also exploring cooperation in other fields,” he said, noting that this year’s BIIT emphasizes high-tech and advanced manufacturing industries such as robotics, semiconductors, and electronics. “We look forward to partnering with China in these areas.”

He revealed that Saudi Arabia has reached a groundbreaking agreement with Lenovo Group. Lenovo’s new factory in Saudi Arabia has officially broken ground, with an initial annual production capacity of 2 million laptops, expected to reach 8 million units by 2028.“Beijing Service” Enhances City’s Investment Appeal

As the global economic landscape undergoes rapid transformation, Beijing continues to promote high-quality development through high-level openness. The strong presence of domestic and international enterprises and institutions at BIIT underscores Beijing’s growing appeal and regional influence as an investment hub.

Zhang Huayu, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Commerce Bureau, highlighted a series of pioneering initiatives: the establishment of China’s first bonded zone without physical fencing focused on R&D—Zhongguancun Comprehensive Bonded Zone; the nation’s first AI data training base; and the first pilot program for fully driverless passenger vehicle services. These “national firsts” reflect Beijing’s commitment to creating an open and innovation-friendly policy environment for tech enterprises.

 “More open, innovative, and high-value policies are in the pipeline,” Zhang noted. He added that Beijing is currently formulating its plan for open economic development during the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30) and accelerating the drafting of Version 3.0 of the Comprehensive Demonstration Zone for Expanding Opening-up in the Service Sector, offering enterprises policies that are visible, tangible, and predictable.

In recent years, Beijing has rolled out over 1,700 reforms to improve the business environment, offering integrated and high-quality services to all types of enterprises. As a result, the “Beijing Service” brand has become increasingly recognized.

Zhang Xiujie, second-class inspector at the Beijing Municipal Development and Reform Commission, shared that Beijing recently launched a Belt and Road Express Service Platform to support enterprises going global. The platform integrates public and market-based services into a one-stop, professional, and international service system that is rooted in Beijing, serves the BTH region, and radiates nationwide—contributing to a distinct “Beijing Service” brand within the Belt and Road framework.

13 Key Projects Signed Onsite

Co-hosted by CCPIT Beijing and the Beijing Chamber of International Commerce, this year’s BIIT was themed “consultation, sharing, and win-win cooperation”. The event aimed to create a targeted and efficient platform for two-way investment and foster deeper, broader cooperation for Chinese enterprises going global.

Onsite, diplomats and business delegates—including counsellors and commercial officers from the embassies of Thailand, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Indonesia, and senior advisor from Glasgow Chamber of Commerce took the stage to present investment opportunities and seek collaboration.

This year’s BIIT spotlighted key regions where Chinese enterprises are expanding abroad, including the Middle East, ASEAN, Latin America, and Europe. Through presentations, roundtable discussions, and business matchmaking sessions, the event provided a diversified exchange platform for over 300 domestic and international companies, fostering new opportunities for two-way investment and mutually beneficial cooperation.

The BIIT integrated exhibitions, forums, and negotiations into a seamless experience. Six designated exhibition and consultation zones were set up, covering investment policies, key industrial parks, and outbound services such as finance, accounting, taxation, and talent recruitment. Relevant Beijing government departments, overseas investment promotion agencies, and the Committee on International Expansion Services of the Beijing Chamber of International Commerce were on hand to answer questions and offer resource matching.

That day, 13 strategic cooperation agreements were signed, involving parties such as CCPIT Beijing, CCPIT Guangxi, Dongcheng District Government, Beijing Chamber of International Commerce, the ASEAN Economic and Trade Promotion Association, and the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce. The agreements covered fields including auto finance, M&A funds, talent development, healthcare, and outbound services.