Columbia Global Center Beijing Marks 17 Years and Prepares for a Dynamic New Chapter

The Columbia Global Center Beijing announces its relocation to Gateway Plaza in the city’s Chaoyang District, one of Beijing’s most dynamic areas for innovation, business, and culture. This move reflects the Center’s continuing commitment to strengthening Columbia University’s academic partnerships and engagement across China and East Asia.

“This move marks an important step in the Beijing Center’s development,” said Wafaa El-Sadr, Executive Vice President of Columbia Global. “The new location gives the Center a central base from which to advance Columbia’s academic presence in China, while supporting research and dialogue on shared global challenges in the years ahead.”

The relocation, completed in January 2026, was made possible through the generous support of Jack Hsu (CBS ’98), a Columbia University alumnus, a member of the Center’s Advisory Board and a long-time champion of education and innovation.

“Supporting the Beijing Center aligns with my belief that education and innovation are the twin engines of social progress,” said Hsu. “I hope to deepen collaboration between Columbia University and China in talent development, industry-academia integration, and sustainable growth, paving the way for a brighter future for both countries and the world.”

Spanning 6,500 square feet, the new facility features a large conference room  with the capacity for 150 participants, equipped with advanced audiovisual systems and flexible spaces for conferences, workshops, and exhibits. The space was configured to facilitate collaboration, enabling faculty, students, and partners to explore ideas and solutions to shared global challenges.

“Our move to Chaoyang is more than a change of address—it’s a strategic decision that signals the importance of the Center for Columbia in China,” said Helena Xiao, Interim Director of the Beijing Center. “Being at the crossroads of Beijing’s innovation and business districts allows us to strengthen partnerships and expand opportunities for research, dialogue, and innovation.”

Over the past 17 years, the Beijing Center has served as a vibrant hub for exchange, connecting dozens of faculty from 18 of Columbia University’s schools, welcoming over 1,000 Columbia students and scholars, reaching more than 20,000 alumni and public participants across its programs, and partnering with over 100 institutions.

Through public programs, collaborative research, and educational initiatives, the Center continues to foster mutual understanding and advance Columbia’s global mission and partnerships in China.

“Columbia’s relationship with China extends back for more than a century,” Xiao added. “As the world grows increasingly interconnected, our role as Columbia’s gateway in China is more vital than ever. We look forward to deepening partnerships that contribute to shared progress across the region and beyond.”