Since the launch of the building of the Integrated National Demonstration Zone for Opening up the Services Sector and the China (Beijing) Pilot Free Trade Zone (hereinafter referred to as the "Two Zones") in September 2020, a total of 34 policies which are the first of their kind or first approved across the country have been implemented in Beijing, further unlocking the dividends of institutional innovations and presenting Beijing as an international megacity with greater openness to the world.

Since the commencement of the building of the "Two Zones", over one hundred leading and pioneering "Two Zones" projects have proliferated across Beijing in the areas of science and technology innovation, opening-up of the services sector, digital economy and coordinated regional opening-up. Innovation in various aspects leads to high-quality developments. From January to July of 2021, Beijing reported 1,803 new foreign-funded enterprises, a year-on-year increase of 74.2 percent, registering the fastest growth in China. With merely seven thousandths of the total area of Beijing, China (Beijing) Pilot Free Trade Zone contributed 28 percent of the increase in foreign-funded enterprises, providing strong support for the gathering of international factors and the building of an international highland for opening-up and innovation. 

It has been Beijing's goal set at the beginning of the building of "Two Zones" to explore more replicable and extendable experience. In September 2021, the Ministry of Commerce issued a document to replicate and promote ten major innovative cases of Beijing in building the Integrated National Demonstration Zone for Opening up the Services Sector, aiming to encourage other cities to learn from the "Beijing example". The cases cover such areas as building a science and technology service system as well as improving services in cultural tourism industry and upgrading the innovation and start-ups in the financial services industry, accounting for 40 percent of the cases replicated and promoted across China over the past five years amid the comprehensive pilot program for further opening up the services sector. 

The "Two Zones" that are able to attract talent from all over the world are truly dynamic and creative. In order to proactively meet the new requirements of human resources services in the building of "Two Zones", Beijing Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau has unveiled "three catalogs". The first one is the Catalogue of Professional Qualification Exams of “Two Zones” for Foreign Nationals ; the second addresses problems concerning the acceptance of qualifications; and the third provides an accurate portrait of the talents needed by Beijing. The announcement of the "three catalogs" has established a more open and inclusive image of Beijing that embraces more high-calibre talent and ensures access of foreign investment to more key areas. 

In alignment with the top standards and the highest quality in the world, Beijing has taken its openness to a higher level. Beijing, with a daring, vigorous, and innovative attitude, is moving forward at a faster pace.

(Source: Beijing Daily)