Startup（1952 — 1954）

In 1952 when Li Fuchun, Vice Chairman of Central Finance and Economic Commission under the State Council was on a visit to the former Soviet Union, his Soviet counterpart proposed to exhibit in China development results relative to economy, culture, science and technology as well as architectural technology and art. For that to happen, the Chinese government decided to construct one exhibition center in Beijing and another in Shanghai, in an effort to build on what the former Soviet Union had to offer as a socialist forerunner. A taskforce of architects were dispatched to assist China with design and construction processes. Zhao Pengfei, the then Vice Chairman of Finance and Economic Commission of the Beijing Municipal Government was put in charge of the construction project led by a 3-member team headed by Mr. Peng Zhen, the then Mayor of Beijing. Later on in the spring of 1953, geographical feasibility study on the site of the ExhibitionCenter was jointly reviewed by Xue Zizheng, General Secretary of Beijing Party Committee and Wang Rongzhang, Chief of the Secretariat of Beijing Municipal

The diplomatic mission of the former Soviet Union, including its Cultural Councilor, also joined in the effort and shared their insights into this endeavor. Based on the urban planning back then, the western part of the city proper was supposedly reserved for cultural landscape, sci-tech hubs and tourist attractions. As such, the proposed venue at Xi Zhi Men Wai was staked out by District authorities and ultimately approved by Beijing Municipal Government. Ministry of Finance of China committed 27 million yuan back in 1953 for the construction of the compound (including Xiyuan Hotel and Xijiao Shopping Mall). The construction of the Center alone was estimated to cost 24 million yuan.

Infancy (1954)

On October 15 of 1953, a groundbreaking ceremony at the construction site was honored by the presence of distinguished attendees representing the Central Government and Beijing Municipal government as well as constructors. Alongside that, senior Soviet diplomats were invited to join the celebration. Mayor Peng Zhen addressed the gathering and laid the cornerstone that led to the construction of BeijingSovietExhibitionCenter. More than 20 provinces and municipalities echoed the appeal by the late Premier Zhou Enlai to provide substantial support. Physical and human resources came from all across the country to underpin the project delivery. The long, hard journey that involved 10,000-strong construction workers and 6000-plus men and women in the PLA culminated in a well-structured and well-built complex in September of 1954. The ExhibitionCenter back then covered an area of 132,000 sq.m, and the land area and floor space of the principal structure recorded an impressive 88,500 sq.m and 50,400 sq.m respectively. With the Central Hall at the epicenter, a theatre, dinning room and cinema were also built as truly wonderful additions to the main structure. Private railway line was laid to improve its accessibility and make tours a more enjoyable experience. On the upper side of the Central Hall front door was an engraved inscription in Chinese written by Chairman Mao Zedong, new China’s founding father, which reads “SovietExhibitionCenter”.

Fledgling Growth (1952—1984)

The Exhibition of Economic and Cultural Achievements of USSR added glamour and strength to the newly-built SovietExhibitionCenter from October 2 to December 26, 1954. This was followed by the exciting Exhibition of 10-year Achievements in Socialist Development of Czechoslovakia and dazzling Commodity Exhibition of Japan in April 1955 and October 1956 respectively. In 1958, the SovietExhibitionCenter was renamed by then Premier Zhou as Beijing Exhibition Center (BEC). As an administrative organization in nature back then, exhibitions of all kinds and networking events were held in here by dozens of countries and territories across the globe amid China’s rapid rise as a socialist power and growing economic prowess. BEC contributed more than its share to facilitate exchanges in economy, culture and science & technology, cement economic and trade ties between China and the rest of the world and entrench friendship between Chinese and peoples the world over.

Leapfrog Development (1984 — 1997)

BEC transformed the organization from an administrative institution to an enterprise amid China’s sweeping economic reform. BEC Service Co. was founded and corporate business license was acquired in 1984, signifying the introduction of corporate governance. BEC had since gained momentum and developed the joint-venture Xinghu Hotel, Capital Advertising Co., Moscow Restaurant Food Factory, a soft-drink operation, a travel service and labor service, among a broader business portfolio.

During the 11th Asian Games in Beijing back in 1990, BEC served as a shopping mall for both athletes and spectators from around the world. The shopping mall covered an area of 40,000 sq. m and featured thousands of select and premium commodities in 22 categories. Products on offer came from across China and some were made in Taiwan or by foreign companies. The exhibition hall, exhibition booth, coffee shop and beer bar among other additions made BEC a most welcome host. Visitors could also feast their palate strolling down the food street outside of the complex. The performance in Beijing Exhibition Hall Theatre turned out to be a smashing hit or the best ever. After all, BEC registered as many as 1.6 million visits in a short span of 40 days.

Rebirth (1998 — pres.)

Beijing Capital Tourism Co., Ltd was founded on February 28, 1998. As its state-owned arm, BEC embarked on a new journey ever since.

In the leading up to the Achievement Exhibition in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the PRC, BEC was literally reconstructed and roofed over the open area between the eastern and western halls in late 1998. “Brilliant History -- Achievement Exhibition in Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Founding of the PRC” opened on September 20, 1999. The event highlighted enviable accomplishments China scored over 50 years’ time in politics, economy, culture, education, national defense, science, technology and other domains. The celebration-themed show brought together exhibitors from 33 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions nationwide as well as Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions. The 40-day exhibition welcomed one million visits altogether.

In February 1999, BEC was full-fledged and went public by adding its premium assets to Beijing Capital Tourism Co., Ltd.

In 2000, Beijing Capital Tourism Co., Ltd committed 200 million yuan to upgrade BEC. The transformed BEC housed, as it does today, 12 exhibition halls that are 8m to 19m high and have a combined exhibition area of 22,000 sq.m. The renovated structure stood stunningly spacious and splendid as an impressive venue for grand events and occasions with improved access to water and power supplies, air conditioning and telecommunications services. Alongside that, it was complete with round-the-clock monitoring system, fire fighting system, a lecture hall, a multifunctional hall and a fast food outlet. The facilities in Moscow Restaurant and Beijing Exhibition Hall Theatre were face-lifted accordingly. Put together, BEC then offered a modern and state-of-the-art setting that could serve multiple functions and purposes.