Beijing’s “15th Five-Year Plan” outlines 100 major projects across 12 key sectors. If the plan provides the blueprint for Beijing’s development during this period, then these 100 major projects are the engines that will turn the blueprint’s goals into reality. They translate major strategic deployments in areas like technological innovation, regional coordination, and public welfare into concrete, actionable, and effective projects, providing strong support for achieving the capital’s “15th Five-Year Plan” objectives.

How will these 100 major projects make the city better and improve residents’ lives?

Focusing on National Strategy with Key Project Clusters

In northeastern Beijing, the urban framework of Huairou Science City has taken shape. It hosts 37 scientific facilities, 17 of which are open to global collaboration, making it one of the world’s most densely concentrated areas for major scientific infrastructure.

These national-level assets solidify the foundation. Strategically, this area serves as both a comprehensive national science center and a crucial pillar for the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei International Science and Technology Innovation Center. Consequently, the construction of the Huairou Science City’s major science infrastructure cluster is included among Beijing’s 100 major projects for the “15th Five-Year Plan” period. This will better serve the nation’s goal of achieving greater self-reliance and strength in high-level science and technology, aiding the construction of an international innovation hub.

Beijing’s most defining characteristic is its status as the national capital. The plan focuses on optimizing and enhancing the capital’s core functions. Accordingly, these 100 major projects are selected to align with major national strategies like coordinated regional development in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, technological self-reliance, and national security, while also reflecting Beijing’s positioning as the nation’s political, cultural, international exchange, and technological innovation center.

For instance, projects to enhance the central administrative environment and services and to protect and renew the old city within the core area will create a first-class, safe, orderly, and convenient administrative and living environment. Projects like integrated rail transit for the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and the construction of a smart, connected new energy vehicle technology ecosystem hub will powerfully drive regional coordination for improved quality and efficiency.

“Each of the 100 major projects for the ’15th Five-Year Plan’ is not a single, isolated project. Instead, they are clusters of key strategic, forward-looking, and comprehensive projects focused on major priorities and addressing weaknesses in the capital’s development.”

Major Industrial Projects Supporting Growth

From 2026 to 2030, Beijing aims to add over one trillion yuan in economic output. To support this growth trajectory, the industrial sector plays a leading role.

During the “15th Five-Year Plan” period, Beijing is proactively shouldering the responsibility as a major economic province. The plan proposes being a “dual benchmark” in the digital and green economies, using the cultivation of world-class industrial clusters as a lever to develop new quality productive forces.

Major industrial projects are crucial for achieving these goals: on one hand, to cultivate and strengthen strategic industries through projects like fostering an AI industry innovation ecosystem, building comprehensive integrated circuit industry clusters, and revitalizing advantages in the pharmaceutical and health industries; on the other hand, to strategically lay the groundwork for future industries through projects like 6G lab research and application exploration, R&D and demonstration of key quantum technology applications, and enhancing the brain-computer interface industry chain.

“The 100 major projects can act as an ‘engine,’ driving the deep integration of technological innovation and industrial innovation. This will accelerate the transformation of more scientific achievements into useful products and services that benefit our lives, and speed up the growth of new industries and sectors into new productive forces, new growth points, and new job opportunities.”

Investment is one of the key drivers of economic growth. The total investment for the 100 major projects exceeds 4 trillion yuan, with an estimated completion of about 3 trillion yuan during the “15th Five-Year Plan” period, supporting over 50% of the city’s fixed asset investment. During this period, the city will leverage government investment to guide and amplify broader social investment participation in these major projects, with social investment expected to account for over two-thirds, creating a development pattern guided by the government with diverse social participation and multi-channel investment.

These major projects focus on critical fields and key links, aiming to solve major issues in the capital’s economic and social development and ensure that each project is completed successfully. It is reported that the projects will be categorized into five types: those to be completed, those to be continued, new projects to start construction, projects in preparatory stages, and projects under research and evaluation. Differentiated measures will be applied to accelerate construction, ensuring steady

Huairou Science City

Huairou Science City is a major national science and technology hub located in Beijing’s Huairou District, established as a core part of China’s strategy to advance fundamental research. Its history is closely tied to the development of large-scale scientific infrastructure, most notably hosting the Beijing Electron-Positron Collider and, more recently, becoming the site for major projects like the High Energy Photon Source. It serves as a centralized base for numerous national laboratories and research institutes, aiming to foster innovation and breakthroughs in fields like physics and information technology.

Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei International Science and Technology Innovation Center

The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei International Science and Technology Innovation Center is a major regional development strategy launched by China in 2015, aiming to integrate the research, industrial, and talent resources of Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei Province into a world-class innovation hub. It builds upon the historical industrial base of the region, with Beijing providing R&D strength, Tianjin offering advanced manufacturing, and Hebei supplying supporting industries, to collectively drive high-tech growth and economic upgrading.

Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region

The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region is a major economic and cultural hub in northern China, anchored by the capital Beijing and the port city Tianjin, surrounded by Hebei province. Historically, the area has been a political center for centuries, with Beijing serving as the imperial capital during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Today, it is a key national strategy for integrated development, aiming to synergize Beijing’s administrative and cultural functions with Tianjin’s industry and Hebei’s manufacturing and logistics.

old city within the core area

The “old city within the core area” typically refers to a historic urban center, often surrounded by ancient walls, that forms the original heart of a modern city. These districts are characterized by centuries-old architecture, narrow streets, and significant cultural landmarks, having evolved from medieval settlements, trade hubs, or fortified towns. Today, they are commonly preserved as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, offering a living connection to the region’s past amidst contemporary urban development.

central administrative environment

“Central administrative environment” is not a specific, recognized place or cultural site. It is a general term describing the core government offices and bureaucratic systems that manage a country or region.

For example, in a country like France, this could refer to the historical and political hub of Paris, including buildings like the Palais de l’Élysée (the presidential palace) with a history dating back to the 18th century, which forms the center of the national administration.

integrated rail transit for the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region

The integrated rail transit for the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region is a major infrastructure initiative designed to connect the capital Beijing with the neighboring municipality of Tianjin and Hebei province into a coordinated economic zone. Its development, accelerated in the 21st century, aims to alleviate congestion, reduce pollution, and foster regional integration by providing high-speed and commuter rail links. This network is a key part of China’s national strategy for coordinated regional development and urban cluster growth.

smart, connected new energy vehicle technology ecosystem hub

The “smart, connected new energy vehicle technology ecosystem hub” is a modern innovation center focused on developing and integrating electric vehicles, autonomous driving systems, and connected car technologies. These hubs, often emerging in the 21st century within tech-forward regions like Silicon Valley or China, aim to accelerate the automotive industry’s transition to sustainable and intelligent mobility by bringing together research, startups, and manufacturing.

AI industry innovation ecosystem

The AI industry innovation ecosystem refers to the interconnected network of companies, research institutions, startups, and talent hubs that collaborate to advance artificial intelligence. It emerged in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, heavily concentrated in global tech hubs like Silicon Valley, driven by breakthroughs in computing power, data availability, and machine learning algorithms. This ecosystem accelerates AI development through shared knowledge, venture capital investment, and partnerships between academia and industry.