Beijing, May 28 — The “Implementation Opinions on Promoting High-Quality Urban Development in Beijing” (referred to as the “Implementation Opinions”) have been officially released. By 2030, significant progress will be made in building a world-class harmonious and livable capital; by 2035, such a capital will be initially established.

The Implementation Opinions outline key measures for Beijing’s urban construction and development for the current and future periods, forming a list of 148 key tasks and organizing a series of urban renewal projects.

The Implementation Opinions propose fully implementing the strategic positioning of the capital city, continuously enhancing its functions, including strengthening the construction of the “four centers,” high-level development of the core functional area of the capital, and promoting the construction of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei world-class city cluster.

In terms of the political center, efforts will focus on providing services and guarantees for the political center, optimizing the layout of central government functions, implementing environmental quality improvement projects in key areas, and establishing regular service guarantee mechanisms for major state and foreign affairs activities. Detailed control plans for the core area will be deeply implemented, promoting the relocation of entire courtyards in bungalow areas, improving urban environmental quality, and creating a landscape where traditional culture and modern civilization complement each other.

In terms of the cultural center, the influence of the national cultural center will be continuously enhanced, promoting new trends, preserving, protecting, and utilizing historical culture, fostering the prosperity and development of new cultural works, deepening mutual learning among civilizations, and telling the stories of China and Beijing in the new era, forming a new cultural landscape blending ancient and modern elements.

In terms of the international exchange center, openness, inclusiveness, and global connectivity will be fully demonstrated, serving national diplomacy, deepening international exchanges and cooperation in various fields, improving urban international facilities and services, supporting more international organizations and events in Beijing, attracting more international friends to visit, study, work, and live in the city, and creating a world-class meeting place where guests feel at home.

In terms of the science and technology innovation center, original innovation and key core technology breakthroughs will be strengthened, accelerating the construction of the Zhongguancun world-leading science and technology park, promoting the integrated development of education, science, and technology talent, actively undertaking major national science and technology tasks, actively integrating into the global innovation network, and striving to build world-class universities, world-class research institutions, world-class enterprises, and a gathering place for world-class talent, working to become a global source of scientific breakthroughs, a leader in future industries, a core hub for open innovation, and a high-level talent highland.

Recently, the “Spatial Coordination Plan for the Modern Capital Metropolitan Area (2023-2035)” has been approved. The Implementation Opinions propose resolutely and orderly relieving non-capital functions, building a national green development demonstration zone in the city sub-center, strengthening administrative office, business services, cultural tourism, and technology innovation as leading functions; supporting the construction of Xiong’an New Area with greater efforts, ensuring the relocation of central government landmark projects to Xiong’an, and promoting the simultaneous development of the “two wings.”

The Implementation Opinions also propose comprehensively promoting integrated development, enhancing urban comprehensive competitiveness. In the future, Beijing will build vibrant areas full of variety. This includes creating pleasant waterfront spaces along the Tongzhou Grand Canal, building the “Two Parks and One River” waterfront living rooms, continuously improving the functional quality of the Olympic Center area, and strengthening comprehensive management of key areas like the Yanqi Lake International Convention Center. It also involves promoting the transformation and upgrading of the South Central Axis area, advancing the construction of landmark projects like the Dahongmen Museum Group, and promoting the main construction and curation of the Capital Planning Exhibition Hall. Deepening research on the integrated planning of the Fifth Ring Road area, completing the transformation and upgrade plan for the Fifth Ring Road, and promoting the construction of key areas such as the Fourth Embassy District and Changxindian Old Town.

For urban renewal, the Implementation Opinions emphasize project-driven approaches and the establishment of sustainable implementation models. This includes strengthening improvements to people’s livelihoods and promoting the construction of complete communities. It involves continuing comprehensive renovation of old residential communities and reconstruction of dilapidated buildings, implementing village-in-city renovations, updating old pipelines and fire-fighting facilities, and improving living standards. It also includes promoting the renewal of low-efficiency industrial parks, old factory areas and buildings, and constructing innovative industrial communities and business communities. Strengthening regional comprehensive renewal, emphasizing public space drives, encouraging composite use of underground space, and building three-dimensional cities.

In recent years, Beijing has shifted from developing as a city to developing as a capital, from single-city development to coordinated development of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, from gathering resources for growth

Zhongguancun

Zhongguancun, located in Beijing’s Haidian District, is often called “China’s Silicon Valley” due to its concentration of technology companies, startups, and research institutions. Originally a village in the 1950s, it transformed in the 1980s into a hub for electronics and innovation, driven by government reforms and the establishment of the Zhongguancun Science Park. Today, it remains a symbol of China’s tech industry, hosting major firms like Lenovo, Baidu, and Xiaomi.

Tongzhou Grand Canal

The Tongzhou Grand Canal, located in the eastern district of Beijing, is a historic section of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, which was first constructed during the Sui Dynasty (581–618 CE) and later expanded under the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. As the northern terminus of this ancient waterway, it served as a vital artery for transporting grain, goods, and cultural exchange between the capital and southern China. Today, it stands as a UNESCO World Heritage site, with restored sections offering scenic waterways, museums, and parks that highlight its enduring role in Chinese history.

Two Parks and One River

“Two Parks and One River” refers to a scenic urban green corridor in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, China, encompassing Jinshan Park, Jiaoshan Park, and the Yangtze River. This area integrates natural beauty with historical landmarks, including ancient temples and pagodas dating back to the Tang and Song dynasties. It serves as a popular cultural and recreational destination, showcasing the region’s rich heritage along the river’s edge.

Olympic Center area

The Olympic Center area in Beijing, China, is a sprawling complex built primarily for the 2008 Summer Olympics, featuring iconic structures like the Bird’s Nest Stadium and the Water Cube. It hosted key events during the Games and later became a major tourist attraction and sports venue. The area also served as a competition site for the 2022 Winter Olympics, showcasing its continued importance in global sports history.

Yanqi Lake International Convention Center

The Yanqi Lake International Convention Center, located in the Huairou District of Beijing, China, is a modern conference venue built to host high-level international summits, most notably the 2014 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting. Surrounded by scenic mountains and the lake, its architecture combines traditional Chinese design elements with contemporary facilities. Since its opening, it has become a symbol of Beijing’s role in global diplomacy and a popular site for major conferences and cultural events.

South Central Axis area

The South Central Axis area is a historically significant corridor in Beijing, China, forming the core of the ancient city’s symmetrical layout. It stretches from the Yongding Gate in the south to the Drum and Bell Towers in the north, featuring iconic landmarks such as the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and the Temple of Heaven. This axis, developed over centuries during the Ming and Qing dynasties, represents traditional Chinese urban planning and imperial power, and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2024.

Dahongmen Museum Group

The Dahongmen Museum Group in Beijing is a cultural complex centered around the Dahongmen area, which historically served as a southern gateway to the city during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The museum cluster includes specialized institutions like the Beijing Museum of Natural History and the China Red Sandalwood Museum, showcasing a blend of natural science and traditional Chinese craftsmanship. This area preserves the legacy of Beijing’s imperial past while offering modern exhibits that highlight China’s cultural and scientific achievements.

Capital Planning Exhibition Hall

The Capital Planning Exhibition Hall in Beijing is a modern museum dedicated to showcasing the city’s urban planning and development history. Opened in 1999, it features detailed models, maps, and interactive exhibits that trace Beijing’s transformation from an ancient capital to a global metropolis. The hall highlights key projects like the 2008 Olympics and ongoing efforts to balance modernization with cultural preservation.