History

The Beijing International Society was established in 1981 by a group of foreigners who shared an interest in exploring and understanding China’s rich and varied culture.

Mission

BIS is a non-profit organization open to foreign passport holders only. BIS provides an opportunity for Beijing’s foreign residents and visitors to hear about China from professionals, scholars and leaders on a wide range of subjects including culture, history, fine arts, literature, religion, economics, science, archaeology, the environment and other compelling topics of the day.

Events

BIS organizes two to three lectures per month. Lectures are held on Thursday evenings, beginning at 7:30 pm, at various embassies. Guests are welcome on payment of a single lecture attendance fee. Outings to places of historical and cultural interest (members only, by reservation) are held once or twice a year. No events are scheduled in July and August.

BIS Committee Members

Véronique d’Antras, Brigitta Backström, Eli Barstad, Evren Esenli, Paola Guajardo, Malika Hashim, Nicole Géorgakélos, Kyoko Somekawa Jaishankar, Susan Kim-Chomicka, Nicky Krieger-Loos, Eleanor Liu, Alia Malik, Sophie McKinnon, Susan Paolini, Mary Pei, Mary Stavonhagen, Sirinat Wood