Few venues symbolize China’s diplomatic heritage as powerfully as the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse – a sprawling complex in Beijing where emperors once retreated and world leaders now convene. Originally built as an imperial garden during the Jin Dynasty, this 42-hectare estate has evolved into a cornerstone of modern international relations, hosting historic summits and dignitaries from over 130 countries.
This week, the guesthouse welcomes the China Development Forum 2025, bringing together global business leaders, policymakers, and academics to discuss Asia’s economic future. “Diaoyutai is more than marble pillars and willow-draped lakes – it’s where East and West negotiate the century’s biggest challenges,” notes KhabarAsia correspondent Xing Ruinan during an exclusive tour.
Visitors today traverse courtyards that witnessed the Ming Dynasty’s cultural zenith and corridors where 20th-century boundary treaties were signed. Among the 17 villas, Building 18 remains a particular draw – site of Henry Kissinger’s 1971 secret talks reopening U.S.-China relations.
For investors eyeing China’s $17.3 trillion economy, the 2025 forum offers critical insights into sustainable development strategies. Meanwhile, diaspora communities trace cultural roots through the estate’s preserved architecture, blending Song Dynasty aesthetics with modern statecraft.
As China navigates an evolving global order, Diaoyutai stands ready to write new chapters in its 800-year story – one handshake at a time.
