APEC venue opens its doors

New facilities at Yanqi Lake begin trial operation

The Yanqi Lake scenic area, which hosted the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Meetings in Beijing, reopened on Friday allowing the public to once again enjoy its scenic attractions. Wang Zhuangfei / China Daily

Conference venues and other facilities that hosted the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting at Yanqi Lake will open on Monday for a trial operation to businesses, with scores of companies rushing to book their tickets.

"In the coming months until the end of 2014, we have already arranged 15 events in the conference venues, hotels and other buildings on Yanqi Island," said Zhang Junxiang, vice-president of Beijing Enterprises International Conference Metropolis Real-Estate, the operator of the facilities in Huairou district, Beijing.

The trial operation will last for two to three months, based on performance and the market's response, which will be followed by formal operations, he said, though no time has been set.

The first official business event, by Royal Dutch Shell, will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday.

So far, 63 companies - most of them Fortune 500 companies - have confirmed their willingness to hold events there.

The high-level APEC meeting set a high threshold for the new convention center on Yanqi Island. "But it's also a good chance to practice, making us well-prepared for future high-end activities," Zhang said.

"Taking the chance to hold the APEC meeting, a major global event, we will turn our venues into a high-end comprehensive area for international conventions, exhibitions and recreation," said Yu Li, CEO of Beijing Enterprises Group Real-Estate, the parent company of the operator.

Beijing also shoulders the responsibility of international exchanges, so the new area will attract more projects, such as musicals, to promote international communication, Yu said.

The eye-catching venues and hotels are the first phase of development of the ecological center, which will include residential communities, business areas and a technological area, the corporation said.

Supporting facilities on Yanqi Island also include a tower, 12 boutique villas and many hotels. The large Yanqi Lake resort, covering 21 square kilometers, has been listed as a new ecological center in Beijing.

zhengjinran@chinadaily.com.cn