A wave of visits from global business leaders is boosting Beijing's status as a top investment destination. Foreign investors cite Beijing's economic vitality, tech innovation and streamlined services as key factors bolstering their confidence in the city.

Recent high-level meetings between city officials and executives from Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Mizuho Financial Group, AstraZeneca and Schneider Electric underscored this trend. These leaders praised Beijing's development and pledged increased investment.

AstraZeneca, the global pharmaceutical company, signed a $2.5 billion agreement last Friday to invest in Beijing over five years. It's the largest single investment in the city's biopharmaceutical sector in recent years.

AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot said that the decision to locate their sixth global R&D center in Beijing was strategic, citing the city's advanced research institutions and thriving AI sector. He stressed the critical role of AI in future biopharmaceutical research and the potential for collaborative innovation with local partners.

Other foreign companies share this optimism. Beijing attracted over 2,000 new foreign-funded enterprises last year, bringing the total foreign R&D centers to 221.

Ola Kallenius, chairman of the board of management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, pledged to expand the company's new energy vehicle lineup, including electric and plug-in hybrid models.

Beijing's new energy vehicle sector has seen substantial growth. Last year, major projects by BAIC, Xiaomi, and Li Auto began production, with about 300,000 new energy vehicles produced in Beijing, nearly tripling previous output.

Beijing's AI sector is also experiencing rapid growth. Siemens AG President and CEO Roland Busch noted the city's impressive ecosystem of over 2,400 AI enterprises. Busch highlighted Beijing's potential to lead in digital technology and AI use across industry and infrastructure.

Schneider Electric Chairman Jean-Pascal Tricoire emphasized opportunities in Beijing's industrial upgrading, particularly in energy management and smart manufacturing software. The company plans to expand R&D and production in Beijing, focusing on digital energy management and intelligent manufacturing collaboration.

A key factor driving this investment is Beijing's world-class business environment and "Beijing Service." The city offers platforms for high-level dialogue, facilitates visa processes, and streamlines market access.

Busch praised the city's favorable business environment, stating that Beijing provides the necessary ecosystem for the development of new quality productive forces.