On 21 May, Chaoyang Themed Promotion Conference of Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in China (HKCCC) Asia Forum —a key segment of the Beijing CBD (Central Business District) Forum series—was grandly held at the China World Hotel in Beijing.

Dr Esther Chan, Deputy Chief Executive Officer (K-12 Education) of Yew Chung Yew Wah Education Network (YCYW), was invited to attend and deliver a keynote speech. She discussed YCYW’s three decades of commitment to Chaoyang District, She also explained YCYW’s practical achievements in promoting educational integration between Beijing and Hong Kong SAR, and how YCYW has actively contributed to international culture exchanges and regional internationalisation.

The conference was jointly organised by HKCCC and the People's Government of Chaoyang District of Beijing, and the theme was "Gather Asia Strengths, Set Sail from Chaoyang". The event attracted over 100 participants, including representatives from HKCCC in countries and regions such as Singapore, Malaysia, the United States, and Canada, as well as government and business guests from Beijing and Hong Kong SAR. Expatriates accounted for over 84 per cent of the participants, creating a vibrant international atmosphere.

The conference was the first high-level trade and economic exchange event hosted by HKCCC in the Chinese mainland, and an important warm-up event for the 2026 Beijing CBD Forum. The conference focused on Asian economic and trade interactions and the global expansion of Chinese mainland enterprises. Through corporate presentations, project roadshows, and networking discussions, it comprehensively showcased the latest achievements and cooperation opportunities of Chaoyang District in promoting high-level opening-up and in optimising its business environment.

In her speech, Dr Chan used the cultural connotations of Chaoyangmen, which means "Gate Facing the Sun" in Chinese, to explain the journey of mutual development of YCYW and Chaoyang District. She noted that YCYW has a 94-year heritage in education and that YCYW had opened YCIS Beijing in Chaoyang in 1995. As one of the first international schools approved by the Beijing Municipal Government, YCIS Beijing has established deep roots in Chaoyang for more than 30 years. The school has witnessed the rise of the CBD and participated in building the region's ecosystem for international talent.

YCIS Beijing is now a model of multicultural education, nurturing students from 46 countries and regions, including the children of diplomats from over 20 embassies.

In terms of curriculum innovation and matriculation results, YCYW introduced the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) curriculum across multiple campuses in 2025, thereby offering its students more diversified pathways for further education. The YCYW Class of 2026 achieved a 100 per cent university acceptance rate, securing over 1,400 offers of admission from world-renowned universities, including Harvard, Oxford, Tsinghua, and Peking University.

Meanwhile, YCYW is actively expanding into higher education. Its Yew Chung College of Early Childhood Education (YCCECE) has built a complete educational ecosystem from infancy to postgraduate studies. Moreover, YCYW is in the process of developing the Yew Wah School of Hong Kong so it can further support cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchanges under the "Belt and Road" initiative.

Dr Chan noted that the open business environment and the international atmosphere in Chaoyang District have provided fertile ground for the development of international education. YCYW is committed to leveraging its century-long educational expertise to support educational collaboration between Beijing and Hong Kong SAR, thereby injecting new momentum into the their high-quality development and international cultural exchanges.

At the HKCCC Anniversary Dinner held that evening, five students from YWIES Beijing Yizhuang showcased their remarkable skills by performing classic pieces such as Odeon, Por Una Cabeza, and Chopin's Nocturne in C-sharp minor on piano and violin for the attending delegates.

In addition, 31 students from the YCIS Beijing Primary Choir captivated the audience during the opening performance with their clear and engaging renditions of “Beijing Welcomes You” and “Try Everything”. The genuine and confident performances of YCYW students not only showcased the high spirits of the new generation but also embodied the youthful vitality, openness, and inclusivity of international education in Chaoyang.