From banking to AI, these are the key international economic bodies based in China
1 May 2026
The recent launch of the World Data Organization in Beijing added another node to a growing network of bodies headquartered in China with international participation and cross-border mandates.
The move came as Washington’s measures – from global tariff hikes, war on Iran and the recently released “Economic Fury” strategy – have set back some key multilateral institutions under the United Nations system.
Here are some of the major multilateral bodies currently headquartered in China.
World Data Organization
Launched in Beijing on March 30, this organisation aims to align various national data policies, develop industry standards and cut compliance costs for multinationals. Its 200 members in 40 countries include companies, universities, think tanks and financial institutions.
Chinese Academy of Sciences academician Tan Tieniu chairs the organisation. Each member has equal participation and voting rights.
Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
The lender was inaugurated in Beijing in 2015 to fund connectivity in developing Asian countries and it has capitalised today at US$100 billion.
China is the largest bank shareholder and held more than 25 per cent of voting power at inception. United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, Australia and New Zealand count among its key Western members.
Headquartered in Shanghai, the institution formerly called the Brics Development Bank has total assets of US$28.8 billion. Ninety-six projects have been approved, with total financing of US$32.8 billion.
China and the four other original Brics members – Brazil, India, Russia and South Africa – make bank decisions with equal weight, per the bank’s website.
International Organization for Mediation
Countries may go through this organisation to settle disputes with one another over investments or commercial issues. Private-party disputes arising from international commercial relationships can be mediated as well.
Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organisation
The body, known as APSCO for short, helps developing countries in Asia “mainstream peaceful use of space as a drive of development”, according to its official website. The 18-year-old organisation features a data-sharing network.
APSCO has eight full members, each with equal voting rights at meetings. China has unique influence as the host, top funding source and the major technology provider.
World Internet Conference
Beginning as an annual event in 2014 to explore global internet issues, the World Internet Conference – also known as the Wuzhen Summit – was established as an organisation in 2022 with headquarters in Beijing, as a forum to discuss digital infrastructure and management of artificial intelligence.
The Cyberspace Administration of China holds leadership positions, and its director Zhuang Rongwen is the current conference chairman.
International Bamboo and Rattan Organization
Set up in 1997 primarily as a research body, this organisation has 50 members and does advocacy work for the sustainable development of rattan and bamboo along with poverty relief in bamboo-growing regions.
China, one of nine founding members and today’s host nation, has equal voting rights on the organisation’s council and board. The body is a UN General Assembly observer.
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Development Bank
The idea for a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Development Bank received approval last year from the 10-member organisation to fund infrastructure and other economic initiatives.
No details about the bank have been provided. On March 30, SCO members met in Beijing for its first multilateral consultative meeting on creating the bank, the Chinese finance ministry said in an online statement. Their second meeting took place on April 29 to 30 in northwest China’s Shaanxi province.