Beijing expands openness in cutting-edge industries

Beijing has unveiled a new action plan aimed at increasing the city's openness in high-end, precision, and cutting-edge industries, with a strong focus on integrating foreign investment into its innovation ecosystem. 

The action plan, released by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology, outlines 24 specific measures across five key areas to attract global enterprises and strengthen the city's position as a leading innovation hub.

A central goal of the plan is to support foreign enterprises in fostering new quality productive forces. Key initiatives include advancing the opening up of Beijing's entire biopharmaceutical industry chain and building a high-standard international pharmaceutical innovation park. Meanwhile, Beijing will expand pilot programs for opening up value-added telecom services, helping eligible foreign companies obtain operating licenses in areas such as internet data centers, content distribution networks, online data processing, and app stores.

To enhance innovation capacity, the plan encourages new types of industrial innovation institutions to collaborate with foreign companies known for their strong R&D capabilities and industry leadership. Institutions that successfully tap into foreign resources for ecosystem building, standard-setting, and talent cultivation will be eligible for government support. 

In a bid to further integrate foreign capital into Beijing's modern industrial system, the plan promotes pilot programs for eligible foreign limited partners and encourages overseas investors to establish industrial investment funds in the city. Foreign enterprises are also encouraged to take part in advanced manufacturing upgrades under China's national equipment renewal program.

Recognizing the value of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the plan outlines measures to help foreign SMEs access work spaces, testing facilities, research collaboration, talent, and local supply chains. Dedicated service hubs will link these firms with leading companies and platforms in Beijing's industrial network.

Additional steps will be taken to improve services for foreign investors more broadly. These include support for outbound logistics through China-Europe freight trains and the establishment of overseas service bases, providing information, compliance consulting, and business registration services for foreign-invested enterprises in Beijing as well as Beijing-based companies seeking overseas expansion.