Beijing's blend of heritage and modernity wows international guests

The 2024 Beijing Forum on Swift Response to Public Complaints brought together international leaders and scholars specializing in urban governance. During the event, international guests visited Caochang Hutong in Dongcheng District, Beijing. Among them were Andreas Grammatikogiannis, deputy mayor of Athens; J. Phillip Thompson, former deputy mayor of New York for strategic policy initiatives; Rodrigo Alfonso Jiménez Cascante, mayor of Mora, Costa Rica; and other experts in urban governance.

Caochang Hutong is one of Beijing's 25 historical preservation areas. This traditional neighborhood embodies the unique community spirit of old Beijing, leaving a lasting impression on guests from around the world. Its evolution highlights Beijing's successful approach to balancing cultural preservation with urban renewal, serving as an inspiring model for the development of other ancient cities.