Fourth embassy zone in Chaoyang will accommodate 20 foreign missions

Beijing's role as a leading international city and host to foreign diplomats is set to expand as an area designated as the fourth embassy zone takes shape.

Beijing's three embassy zones were established in the 1950s, 1960s and 1980s and as of March 1, 173 countries had established diplomatic ties with China.

The third zone has seen Beijing house some symbolic establishments, including the US Embassy in the New Embassy Compound. This was the second-largest overseas construction project in the history of the US Department of State.