Development Targets

A capital city—the political centre of China, a hub for international exchanges

A world-class city—a world-class service centre, the core of a world-class development area

A cultural city—a centre of culture, education and technological innovation

A liveable city—a city that puts people first, with ample job opportunities; following sustainable development strategies that offer the best possible quality of life.

In 2004, a new urban-development plan emphasized “two axes, two belts and multiple centres” to guide Beijing’s future development.

“Two axes” refers to extensions of the traditional north-south central axis and the east-west Chang’an Avenue axis, the backbones of the city. 

“Two belts” includes a “development belt” in East Beijing and an “ecological belt” in West Beijing.

The “development belt” runs from the north-eastern suburban districts of Huairou and Miyun to the high-priority districts of Shunyi, Tongzhou and the Yizhuang area. It is expected to absorb people and industries that are being encouraged to leave the downtown area.

The “ecological belt” serves as an ecological buffer zone linking the Yanqing, Changping, Shahe, Mencheng, Liangxiang and Huangcun areas with ecologically friendly industries such as high-technology and higher education enterprises.

“Multiple centres” are designated as the CBD (Central Business District), the Olympic Park area and the Zhongguancun Science and Technology Park, and several “new towns” in the “two belts.”

Beijing’s successful bid for the 2008 Olympic Games will take the internationalization of the municipality to even greater heights. The capital’s financial industry has new room to grow in the wake of the International Finance Forum that was held in Beijing. Beijing, as part of the greater Bohai Sea economic area, is getting more attention from transnational enterprises that plan to establish headquarters here.