Do I need to collect my Luggage if transferring from American Airlines to Air China?

Hello, I will be arriving in Beijing International Airport in January 2019 at 14:55 with American Airlines and have a flight to Harbin same day at 17:55. These flights were set up separately and I am assuming that I will need to collect my luggage then exit and re-enter through security and check in with my Air China flight. Please let me know if this is correct. First time in Asia and want to make sure all goes as well as possible.
Thank you in advance!!