On November 28, the results of the 2025 Forbes China Ranking on Internationalized Consumption Competitiveness of Central Business Districts were released, with Beijing's CBD securing the No. 1 spot after a comprehensive assessment across key areas.

In 2025, Forbes China further upgraded its evaluation framework, establishing five key areas: market vibrancy, payment convenience, international consumer appeal, resource concentration, and policy leadership. For the first time, the ranking also introduced three sub-categories: Benchmark Consumer Brands, Emerging Consumer Brands, and Service Innovation Brands. This better connects high-quality brands with CBD development.

In 2023, Forbes evaluated CBD competitiveness across five areas: international influence, economic output, functional diversity, consumption leadership, business attractiveness, and innovation vitality. In 2024, the ranking focused on consumption growth, payment convenience, internationalization of consumption scenarios, and innovation in consumption models. Beijing CBD topped the ranking both years.

Beijing CBD is now developing the CBD × Sanlitun International Consumption Experience Zone, advancing the development of a trillion-yuan, world-class commercial district. The area is home to nearly 60 percent of Beijing's Michelin-starred and Black Pearl restaurants and around 40 percent of its specialty coffee shops. Key shopping malls now offer full POS coverage for foreign card payments, and China World Mall has become one of Beijing's first centralized VAT refund points for departing visitors. This year, the CBD launched a seasonal pedestrian street, where from June to October, events based on various themes  with plenty of exclusive coupons on offer, have drove over 20 percent growth in both foot traffic and sales among nearby commercial establishments.

(Source: Official WeChat account of the Beijing CBD)