On April 22, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology held a press conference on the economic performance of the first quarter of 2026. In the first quarter of this year, the added value of Beijing’s industrial and information software sectors approached 470 billion yuan, accounting for 36.3% of the city’s GDP, a record high, contributing more than half of the city’s economic growth.

“This year is not only the first year of the ’15th Five-Year Plan,’ but also a critical year for Beijing to accelerate the cultivation of high-end industries and fully build a global digital economy benchmark city,” said a representative. In the first quarter, the added value of the city’s industrial enterprises above a designated size increased by 5.3% year-on-year, and the revenue of the city’s information software industry above a designated size grew by 14.3% year-on-year, achieving a strong start for industrial development.

Investment momentum remained robust. In the first quarter, fixed asset investment in key industrial sectors reached 25.59 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 14.3%. Investment in high-tech manufacturing grew by 20.5%, with integrated circuit projects in the electronic information industry continuing to play a leading role, completing about 18 billion yuan in investment in the first quarter. A total of 4,247 new enterprises were established in the city’s industrial and information software sectors, a year-on-year increase of 13.1%, and nearly 1,000 enterprises were upgraded to above a designated size, demonstrating strong momentum in industrial development.

In the first quarter, high-tech manufacturing and strategic emerging industries led industrial growth, with added value increasing by 12.5% and 13.8% year-on-year, respectively. Among 36 major industrial categories, 21 achieved growth, broadening the industry growth scope. The electronic information industry, with integrated circuits as its core engine, grew by 17.8% year-on-year, leading all major industries and becoming the primary driver of industrial growth. The pharmaceutical manufacturing sector steadily recovered, with added value growing by 9.2%. The product structure of the automotive manufacturing industry accelerated its shift toward new and green directions, with new energy vehicle production reaching 175,000 units, a 44% increase against the trend. The supply capacity of high-value-added, high-tech products continued to improve: wind turbine generator production increased by 1.4 times, service robot production grew by 92.3%, and products such as smart equipment and new energy materials maintained double-digit growth.

Digital transformation progressed deeply, with the digital compliance coverage rate of the city’s industrial enterprises above a designated size reaching 70%, aiming for full compliance by the end of the year. A total of 197 smart factories, 19 excellent-level factories, and 5 lighthouse factories have been built, promoting quality and efficiency improvements in manufacturing enterprises through platform empowerment and chain transformation.

In terms of green and low-carbon development, the National Green Technology Trading Center listed 69 green technologies, continuously opening channels for green technology transformation and application. The world-leading Hyperstrong intelligent green energy storage factory began construction, accelerating the establishment of a global energy storage benchmark base. The green manufacturing system was rapidly built, continuously increasing the green content of industrial development.

The construction of the global benchmark city accelerated, with the digital economy steadily developing. In the first quarter, the added value of the city’s digital economy grew by 9.3% year-on-year. The official website platform of the Beijing General Artificial Intelligence Industry Innovation Partnership Plan was officially launched, initiating a new round of collections for typical AI cases, scenario demands, and AI experience plans, continuously gathering innovative resources. A batch of benchmark large models accelerated their technological iterations, with the world’s first native power large model released in Huairou, reducing grid dispatch time from hours to minutes. The city’s first AI OPC (One-Person Company) friendly innovation district was officially launched, the World Data Organization began operations, and the Beijing Big Data Exchange piloted data rights and data asset services, leading the market-oriented reform of data elements.

In regional coordination, a regular docking mechanism for the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei industrial chain was established, with four special docking sessions held for humanoid robots, industrial internet, biomedicine, and hydrogen energy. A second batch of 15 joint research projects was launched, achieving full coverage of 130 industrial chain bottlenecks, continuously enhancing the resilience of the industrial chain and supply chain. The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei intelligent connected new energy vehicle ecological port accelerated its construction, with 47 supporting enterprises signing contracts, deepening regional coordinated development and enabling efficient flow and optimal allocation of innovative resources over a larger area.

In terms of policy system empowerment, Beijing focused on the development needs of high-end industries, accelerating the preparation of the “15th Five-Year Plan

Beijing

Beijing, the capital of China, is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, with a history spanning over 3,000 years. It served as the imperial capital for much of the last 800 years, most notably during the Ming and Qing dynasties, leaving landmarks like the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. Today, it is a bustling modern metropolis that blends ancient cultural heritage with rapid contemporary development.

Huairou

Huairou is a district in northern Beijing, China, known for its scenic mountains and the famous Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, which dates back to the Northern Qi Dynasty (550–577) and was extensively rebuilt during the Ming Dynasty. Historically, it served as a strategic military outpost guarding the capital, and today it is a popular tourist destination offering outdoor activities like hiking and skiing. The area also hosted the 2014 APEC summit, highlighting its modern significance as a venue for international diplomacy.

Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei

The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, often called the Jing-Jin-Ji area, is a major economic and cultural hub in northern China, centered around the capital Beijing and the port city of Tianjin. Historically, this region has been a political and strategic core for centuries, serving as the seat of imperial power during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Today, it is being developed as an integrated mega-region to promote coordinated growth, reduce congestion in Beijing, and enhance regional infrastructure and environmental cooperation.

National Green Technology Trading Center

The National Green Technology Trading Center is a platform established to facilitate the exchange and trading of green technologies, promoting sustainable development and environmental innovation. Its history is rooted in the growing global emphasis on reducing carbon emissions and fostering eco-friendly industrial practices. The center serves as a hub for businesses and researchers to collaborate on and commercialize clean energy and low-carbon solutions.

Hyperstrong intelligent green energy storage factory

The “Hyperstrong Intelligent Green Energy Storage Factory” is a cutting-edge industrial facility likely focused on developing advanced, eco-friendly battery systems and energy storage solutions, integrating artificial intelligence for optimized efficiency. While not a historical cultural site, it represents a modern shift toward sustainable technology, likely emerging in the 2020s as part of global efforts to combat climate change through renewable energy infrastructure. Its “history” is brief, rooted in the rapid expansion of green tech industries aiming to stabilize power grids and support electric vehicle adoption.

Beijing General Artificial Intelligence Industry Innovation Partnership Plan

The “Beijing General Artificial Intelligence Industry Innovation Partnership Plan” is a strategic initiative by the Beijing municipal government to accelerate the development and application of general artificial intelligence technologies. Launched in 2023, the plan aims to foster collaboration between enterprises, research institutions, and universities to build a world-leading AI innovation ecosystem in the city. It focuses on key areas such as foundational AI models, computing power infrastructure, and industry-specific applications, positioning Beijing as a global hub for AI innovation.

World Data Organization

The World Data Organization (WDO) is a hypothetical or fictional entity, as no such official global organization currently exists under that name. In concept, it would serve as an international body responsible for standardizing, collecting, and managing global data, much like how the World Health Organization oversees health. The term may also reference various data-focused groups or proposals aimed at improving data governance and interoperability worldwide.

Beijing Big Data Exchange

The Beijing Big Data Exchange is a modern digital platform established in 2021 to facilitate the secure and compliant trading of data assets in China. It serves as a centralized marketplace where organizations can buy, sell, and share data, promoting data-driven innovation and economic growth. This initiative reflects China’s broader push to regulate and monetize its vast data resources while ensuring privacy and security standards.