In international financial institutions, the headquarters of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is located in which of the following cities?

Introduction / Context:
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is a multilateral development bank focused on financing infrastructure projects mainly in Asia. It has become a key player alongside institutions like the World Bank and Asian Development Bank. Competitive exams in banking, civil services, and general awareness often ask about the headquarters of major international organisations, so it is important to remember where AIIB is based.

Given Data / Assumptions:
The question asks which city hosts the AIIB headquarters and provides four options:

• Beijing
• Shanghai
• Xinijiang
• Hong Kong

We assume that the candidate knows that AIIB is closely associated with China and must identify the specific Chinese city where it is headquartered.

Concept / Approach:
AIIB was formally opened in January 2016 and is headquartered in Beijing, the capital of China. While Shanghai and Hong Kong are major financial centres, the official headquarters of AIIB is not located in either of those cities. Xinjiang is an autonomous region, not a global financial hub, and does not host the AIIB head office. Therefore, by matching AIIB with the correct Chinese capital city, we arrive at Beijing as the right choice.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that AIIB is a China initiated multilateral development bank. Step 2: Remember that international development banks usually place their headquarters in prominent political or financial capitals. Step 3: Identify Beijing as the political capital of China and the location mentioned in official AIIB documents. Step 4: Note that while Shanghai and Hong Kong are significant financial centres, they are not described as AIIB's headquarters. Step 5: Select Beijing as the correct option.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, think of how AIIB is introduced in news: often you will read phrases like “Beijing based AIIB” or “the Beijing headquartered Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank”. These repeated mentions make it easy to connect AIIB with Beijing. On the other hand, when institutions headquartered in Shanghai or Hong Kong are mentioned, they are typically stock exchanges, banks, or regional offices, not AIIB itself. This consistent association confirms Beijing as the head office location.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Shanghai: A major financial hub, but not the official headquarters of AIIB.

Xinijiang: An autonomous region whose name is often misspelled, and it is not the site of AIIB's head office.

Hong Kong: A global financial centre and special administrative region, yet AIIB is not headquartered here.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners may incorrectly choose Shanghai or Hong Kong because they closely associate financial institutions with these cities. Others may be confused by the spelling of Xinijiang and think it refers to an important city. To avoid these errors, remember the key phrase “Beijing based AIIB” and link development banks with capital cities: World Bank in Washington, ADB in Manila, EBRD in London (originally), and AIIB in Beijing.

Final Answer:
The headquarters of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is located in Beijing.